Expert: Len Molden - 7/25/2008

Question
Hi. I am a part-time novelist who is hoping to use a chess strategy as a plot point.

I was wondering if there are any opening / closing / game long strategies that involve the preserving as much of your line of pawns as possible (the main character is trying to demonstrate via a chess game that one can operate as a successful leader while still trying to preserve human life as valuable in itself, rather than as a means to an end)

Thanks!

John McNichol

Answer
Hi John,

It's good to see that you'll be using chess strategy for your plot as not enough books or movies have done this.  One good book which you should reference, is called "Squares of the City":

http://www.amazon.com/Squares-City-John-Brunner/dp/0020175116/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8...

There are some opening variations which involve holding back pawn moves for a while and keeping the pawn structure somewhat intact, but ultimately, some pawns (if not most) will have to be moved.

Check this out for my recommendation how you may be able to successfully pursue this concept for your book:

http://everything2.com/e2node/pawns%2520are%2520the%2520soul%2520of%2520chess

Francois Andre Danican-Philidor (better known just as Philidor) in 1749 wrote the most known quote in chess:

"Pawns are the soul of the game. They alone create attack and defense, the way they are deployed decides the fate of the game."

Regards,

Len