Column 4 is the only winning first move in Connect Four. The engine evaluates it at +1, meaning the first player can force a win with perfect play from this position. Every other starting column either draws or loses.
This was proven by James Allen in 1988, who independently solved the game. Victor Allis published a separate proof the same year. Both reached the same conclusion. The center column is the key to everything.
RedvsYellow
Move 1/17
A classic center opening sequence
Engine Evaluation: +1
An engine eval of +1 means one thing. With perfect play, the first player wins. Not draws. Wins.
But "perfect play" is the critical phrase. The +1 evaluation assumes both sides play optimally from every position. In practice, that means the first player needs to find the right move at every turn. One mistake can drop the eval to 0 (draw) or even -1 (losing). The center opening gives you a theoretical edge, but you still have to convert it.
This is what makes the center opening both powerful and demanding. You have the advantage, but the lines branch quickly. There are hundreds of possible games after the first few moves, and many of them require precise responses.
The Two Main Lines After 4-3
When you open column 4 and your opponent responds with column 3, you reach the most critical branching point. Your third move determines the character of the entire game.
The column 6 line (4-3-6). This continuation leads to sharp, tactical positions. The first player develops toward the right side while maintaining central pressure. There are more total lines to memorize in this variation, but each individual position tends to be more forgiving. If you slip, there are often second-best moves that still hold the advantage.
The column 7 line (4-3-7). This is the sharper, more precise path. Fewer total lines to learn, but each position often has exactly one winning move. Play any other column and the eval can drop instantly to 0. This line rewards deep preparation. If you know it cold, your opponent will struggle. If you don't, you'll burn through your advantage quickly.
Both lines lead to a first-player win with perfect play. The choice between them comes down to your style. Do you want a wider margin of error with more to memorize? Go with column 6. Do you want a narrow, forcing line that punishes imprecise defense? Go with column 7.
The Counterintuitive Third Moves
Here is one of the most surprising facts about Connect Four openings. After 4-5 (center, then right-center response), the winning third moves for the first player are column 1 or column 2. The far-left side.
After 4-3 (center, then left-center response), the winning third moves are column 6 or column 7. The far-right side.
This feels wrong. You just claimed the center, and now the engine says to play on the opposite edge from your opponent? But the logic is sound. Your opponent's response created influence on one side of the board. Rather than fighting for the same territory, you stake a claim on the other side. This creates threats spanning the full width of the board, which is much harder to defend than threats concentrated in one area.
Draws After the Center Opening
Not every line after column 4 leads to a win. Several natural-looking continuations are actually draws with perfect play.
The sequences 4-3-4, 4-5-4, 4-3-3, and 4-5-5 all result in drawn positions. In each case, the first player either stacks the center (4-3-4, 4-5-4) or mirrors the opponent's side (4-3-3, 4-5-5). These moves look reasonable. Stacking the center feels strong, and staying near your opponent feels logical. But neither approach creates the cross-board tension needed to force a win.
This is a common trap. Players learn that column 4 is the winning opening and assume any follow-up maintains the advantage. It doesn't. The third move is just as critical as the first.
Key Strategic Ideas
Center control. Your column 4 disc sits at the intersection of more winning lines than any other cell on the board. Build on it. Develop vertically when possible, and use the center as an anchor for diagonal threats.
J-configurations. A J-shape is a group of three discs forming an L or J pattern that threatens to connect four in multiple directions. The center opening makes it easier to build these configurations because you start with maximum connectivity.
Odd threats. A threat on an odd row (rows 1, 3, or 5 from the bottom) is more dangerous than one on an even row, because the first player gets to place the last disc in the game. If the first player has an odd threat that survives until the board fills, it converts automatically. The center opening creates more natural odd-threat opportunities.
Vertical development. Stacking two or three discs in the center column early is sometimes correct. It forces your opponent to respond and limits their options. But don't overdo it. Three high in the center is usually the maximum before you start wasting tempo.
Common Opponent Responses
Column 3 response (most popular). Your opponent fights for central influence from the left. This is the strongest response and leads to the richest positions. You'll need preparation in either the column 6 or column 7 lines to maintain your edge.
Column 5 response. The mirror of column 3. Same theory applies, but your winning continuations are on the left side (columns 1 and 2) instead of the right.
Column 4 response (stacking the center). Your opponent plays directly on top of your disc. This looks aggressive, but it concedes space on both flanks. The first player gets to choose which side to develop, and the resulting positions tend to be easier to navigate.
Edge column responses (1, 2, 6, 7). Any of these give you an even bigger advantage than the starting +1. Your opponent has voluntarily moved away from the center, giving you free reign to dominate the middle of the board.
When to Play This Opening
Always. If you are the first player, column 4 is the correct move. There is no situation, no opponent tendency, no meta-game reason to choose anything else. The math is settled.
The only variation in your approach should be which third move you prepare. Study the column 6 and column 7 lines, pick the one that suits your style, and learn it deeply. That is where the real preparation happens.
We use essential cookies for authentication and site functionality. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
