When my opponent takes the center position, playing in a corner is strategically strong. By taking the top-left corner (0,0), I'm setting up potential winning lines along the top row, left column, and the diagonal. This is a standard counter to a center opening because it forces my opponent to defend against multiple threats in future moves. Any corner would be equally strong due to the board's rotational symmetry, but I'll choose the top-left to establish my presence on the board.