CHESS AS A DESTRUCTIVE DYNAMIC GAME
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 421 ▶ |
| Object type | Discipline oriented, Methodology or model |
A. LOTKA stated as early as l924 the basic characteristics of chess as a systemic game and described them as follows:
- “The elements that determine the course of the game are as follows:
1. A topographic map, a chart of geometric constraints, the chess board.
2. Movable upon this chart, a number of movable points (chessmen), each the center of a field of influence, defined for each movable point in relation to the geometric constraints. So, for example, the field of influence of a pawn extends to the two squares diagonally in front of the pawn.
3. A law restricting the time-rate of advance of each moving point (moves alternate from white to black).
4. A law defining the influence upon each other of two points in collision, i.e., two points whose fields of influence have interpenetrated to a prescribed extent. An exemple of this is the rule that a chessman arriving upon a square occupied by a hostile piece, throws the latter off the board.
5. A law restricting the movements of the points when not in collision, i.e., when outside one another's field of influence. So, for example, a bishop may move only diagonally.
6. The elements enumerated so far place restrictions upon permissible changes (moves). These elements alone cannot, evidentily, determine any occurence of any kind. Absolute immobility, for example, or any random move that did not violate the rules of the game, would equally satisfy the conditions enumerated.
7. In addition to the elements 1,2,3,4,5, there must therefore be in operation some positive principle (tropism) which not merely restricts possible occurences, but which determines actual events. In chess this principle is furnished by the effort of each player to bring about checkmate“ (1956, p.343).
A similar analysis could be made of the game of GO or the games of life of J. CONWAY. Similar rules were also proposed by M. MARUYAMA in his 2nd Cybernetics.
All these games could be very useful for the study of the transformations of numerous natural and artificial systems based on different rules… and for aiding man to become a better chess player on the planet's chessboard!