by jaybob

Created on: August 31, 2009   Last Updated: September 05, 2009

As a classic analogy of the medieval battlefield, chess has long been used to demonstrate the significance of strategy in all aspects of life. In its symbolic exchange of military and social forces, chess instills a wartime sovereign's appreciation for preparation, training, strategy, economy, and tactical advantage. While much of its earliest lessons and stratagems may have been lost to modern play, the wisdom one can acquire from a few games of chess is as timeless as the proverbial checkmate itself.

The Importance of Careful Planning

As a feudal lord will always arrive prepared for war, so too must the chess player understand the precedence that diligent preparation plays in matched combat. Though battle drill and martial training are not the groundwork of the fireside chess player, strategic preparation, however, still is. Through careful planning and computation beforehand, a player with a well conceived battle plan will fare considerably better against a player who, though of equal ability, has carelessly thrown caution to the wind. Their pieces will only move aimlessly, reacting shortsightedly where they should be progressing, and witlessly falling prey to maneuvers premeditated long before the game even began. It is this precedence given to careful tactical planning that has arguably been the best lesson that has transferred from the battlefield to the game board. Though a medieval king may have ruled through God's grace, the ill-prepared ruler was still not long before out of favor.

The Even Greater Importance of a Plan B

When his infantry retreat in disorder, running the risk of being quickly trampled by pursuing cavalry, a wise martial lord would be quick to effectively adapt his plan after his initial strategy had been met with adversity and so undone. So too must the chess player adapt to the changing dynamic of the game board and, upon reaching the crossroad between one strategy and another, employ a new plan to build upon the success of the previous, as well as to effectively counter the opponent's moves and further exploit weaknesses that have revealed themselves since the game began. In chess, as well as battle, strategic flexibility in the face of tactical adversity will often be the first sign of an experienced strategist. A single game of chess will quickly teach a player the importance of having a well laid out plan initially, but also the importance of being flexible enough in its execution so as to take advantage of any opportunities,

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