Imagine you colour the points black and white in a checker board fashion with both Commanders on black points. Now you can observe the following:

The pieces on D2, F2, D8 and F8 are basically stuck on black.
The pieces on C1, G1, C9 and F9 are somewhat confined to black.
The Commander is stuck on black as well.

It follows that in the opening moves the black points can become more congested than the white points.

By exchanging your pieces 'stuck' on black with opponents 'somewhat confined' to black the mobility of your pieces marginally increases.

If your Commander comes under attack it is often a good defensive move to rotate to the orthogonal move position. Then the Commander's next (and subsequent) moves is to a white square.

Consider the nine possible moves each of the Lances can make. Notice how they can change between attacking different numbers of B/W points. For example when the 'W Lance' moves forward 1 or 3 squares the two diagonals change B/W. It is this property that allows the W to capture the Commander by itself.

Avoid rotating the T Lance to a diagonal position , it weakens it because it becomes stuck on one colour.

In the opening when there are many Probes on the board the Y Lance's ability to retreat is very useful. But when the board opens up it becomes a little weaker. Exchange the Y for a T or W if you can during the opening.