Definition: A term attributed to Saviely Tartakower (1887-1956). Chess players speak of a 'Hypermodern school' (the 'Hypermoderns') and of a 'Hypermodern opening'.
Other founding members of the Hypermodern school were Aron Nimzovitch (1886-1935) and Richard Réti (1889-1929). The Hypermoderns opposed the classical chess teaching that Pawns should be moved to the center of the chess board in the opening (1.e4 and 1.d4). They believed that Pawns in the center presented a target for the opponent.
The Hypermodern openings were variations where at least one player refrained from moving Pawns into the center. An example of a Hypermodern opening for White is 1.Nf3, the Reti System; an example for Black is 1.e4 Nf6, Alekhine's Defense.
