Introduction

there are many excellent reasons to study chess,Chesscity considers studying chess the best way to explore the generic elements of strategy. These elements are common to martial arts, military, business, and political strategy. Oddly, strategy is not treated as a separate discipline such as mathematics. The closest academic subjects are game theory and strategic management. Typically students have to wait until graduate school to take a course in these subjects. Chess is about the only means of introducing the formal study of strategy earlier.

Whenever possible Intuitor.com will attempt to illuminate the generic elements of strategy by comparing chess strategy to areas of real life.

Definition: Strategy is the flexible plan for gaining control over opponent(s) and situations preventing the attainment of a goal or objective. Effective strategy compels a person's opponent(s) to act in ways which assist the person in attaining his or her goals. Whether used in chess, martial arts, business, or some other area, strategy is primarily focused on the opponent and has to be fluid because opponents often don't respond as expected. Strategy tends to be long-term in its implementation and consist of gaining many small advantages.

Some Opening Principles and Chess Strategies

For the purpose of study and analysis, a game of Chess is divided into three phases – the Chess Opening, the Middle Game, and the End Game.

The Chess Opening consists of the first six or eight moves, when both sides endeavor to develop their forces into the sphere of action where they will exercise the greatest power against the opponent’s defenses. By this time the reader will be in a position to understand the following principles with regard to the Chess Opening – principles which experience has proved cannot be deviated from with impunity.

* Avoid Moving a Chess Piece Twice During the Opening is a good chess strategy.

This means that when you have developed a piece, it should not be moved again until the other pieces have been developed. If a piece has been attacked, it must, of course, be moved, but this is not a violation of the rule, as the opponent in all probability has departed from principle in attacking your piece, which will ultimately prove to be advantageous to you.

* It is Better Chess Strategy to Develop the Knights before Their Respective Bishops.

This principle does not mean that both Knights should be developed before bringing out a Bishop, but that it is advisable to play say the King’s Knight before the King’s Bishop, and similarly on the Queen’s side.