Taking the center position (1,1) is strategically advantageous for the first move because it gives me the opportunity to form winning lines in four different directions: horizontal, vertical, and both diagonals. The center position is part of the most possible winning combinations (4 total: horizontal middle row, vertical middle column, and both diagonals), so placing my first X here maximizes my future options while minimizing my opponent's potential winning paths. This is a classic opening move in Tic-Tac-Toe that provides the most flexibility for subsequent moves.