Where is the best square for a horse in the opening?
These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.
Direct answer
The point beside the central file, where it both defends a soldier and keeps its legs clear. That is the square Screen Horses develops to, and it is the standard choice for a reason: it does two jobs with one move, and from there the horse can later jump forward to a strong attacking point without needing a second developing move first.
Why the rim is usually worse
A horse on the edge file only reaches four points instead of eight, because half its potential moves fall off the board entirely. It is occasionally the right square in a specific system, but as a default developing square it wastes the horse's own mobility.
Check the legs before committing
Before settling a horse anywhere, look at whether your own pawns or pieces will end up blocking its legs a few moves later. A horse developed to a good square that then gets boxed in by its own soldier has achieved very little.
Related questions
Is the edge square ever correct?
Yes, in some flexible systems it supports a specific plan, but it is the exception rather than the rule.
Should both horses go to the same kind of square?
Usually, in symmetrical systems like Screen Horses. Other openings may treat the two horses differently.
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