Corners, sides, then centre
The opening follows a near-universal sequence: claim corners first, then extend along the sides, and only fight in the centre once corners and sides are settled. This isn't aesthetics — it's geometry. A corner stone can stake out territory with just two or three supporting stones, because two board edges do the enclosing for free. On the side, one edge helps, so you need more stones. In the centre, no edge helps, so a stone earns its keep in influence (thickness) rather than directly held ground.