sundance, this is not exactly true. THe center is not necessarily the best move. I could make my first move 1 away from the center, and I am still in the same position as I was before (the game RARELY goes to the edge of the board). But, it woudl be very confusing to explain the second move restriction and diagram it without having the first move be in the center. I would say the first move restriction neither helps nor hurts either player, it is hte second move restriction that is key. And to answer what Kevin and cleverhunk said, YEs, white still has a significant advantage, top players almost never lose as player 1; but that also makes it a great challenge to come up with clever defenses against the white attack.