One thing I’ve noticed about chess openings is that when I look at different chess positions that arise from
different openings I notice that the pawn structure and main ideas of
maneuvering the pieces are very much the same.
Look, for example, at the King’s Indian defense, the Ruy Lopez opening or
at a handful of Closed Sicilian variations.
Also, there are many positions with an isolated pawn which can arise from the Caro-Kann defense or different variations of the Queen’s Gambit. They are quite similar, even though they come from different openings.
A profound understanding of pawn structures as middle game formations begin to emerge seems to be key to this entire game. I suspect that ideas over moves is how I will get there.
Things fall apart; The centre cannot hold;
William
Yeats, “The Second Coming”
To seek the center is to find it. To stand in it as all that assails whirls about is entirely different. I have always sought it, after a fashion. I have rarely stood within its elastic confines.
I lived in a Zen center for almost a year. I returned to it three times for short periods of study. Its lessons are largely lost upon me. I never once imagined that it would be chess that brought me into that center and chess that tugged on my shirt, urging me back when I wandered off. It seems that chess has allowed me to write a bit.
This is all quite odd.
It was only when my teacher told me of the concept/tactic of controlling the center of the board did I understand why I was suddenly drawn to chess. All I’ve known of the center I learned by passing through on my way to one pole or the other. It was one of so very many blink-and-you-miss-it destinations. Getting to know it is quite interesting.
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards to be born?
Perhaps, after all it is me as it pertains to me.
