Does time work for you or against you? On Stones and Ice in Chess and in Strategy.
Among the most fundamental things we do in chess is continually evaluating our position. Although very essential, the process of knowing which side has a better situation may be quite complicated. To execute this assessment efficiently we divide advantages into Static and Dynamic. Let’s realize what those imply.
To comprehend the concept of Static and Dynamic advantages in chess, we first need to grasp what is time in chess. The basic time unit in chess is named ‘tempo’ — equivalent to one move. If we compare a chess game to a universe as Prof. Feynman did, then it makes sense that chess too has its own time measure. Each player has to move in his turn, so time in chess never pauses.
Static advantages are time resistant, while dynamic advantages fade as the game progresses. When I began coaching my student Yahli Sokolovsky he was too young to understand the abstract concept described above. As a result, I introduced the idea of “Stone and Ice” to make matters more concrete for him. Static advantages are time-stable as Stones (like being a pawn up or having the better pawn structure) and Dynamic advantages are temporary as Ice (like having your pieces more developed into the battle or having an attack on the opponent’s king). A deep insight into what’s the nature of your advantage is crucial for Chess.
Your strategy should be based on analyzing your and your opponent’s advantages. If your advantages are static, then you should seek to avoid complications and changes. On the other hand, if your advantages are dynamic, you should strive to strike the iron while it’s hot. Having proper strategy enables us to convert our advantages into wins.
I believe that acquiring this way of thinking can be beneficial also in business and self-development. The idea is quite similar to the SWOT analysis in which businesses identify their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. However, I think that asking the precise question “Will time benefit or harm my advantage?” is required to know the appropriate tempo of play.
I wish you enjoyed reading and that you will be able to determine the Stones and Ice in your own life.
