Rooks are the Key

Any opening that caters to the rooks will automatically be a good one for the other pieces.

We should test any opening chiefly by the prospects it offers to ambitious young rooks.

 How is a rook to blossom? In one way only: through an exchange of pawns. Such an exchange need not be hurried. It is sufficient if the possibility of exchange is there on the board, ready to be utilized at any time.