MDA of Chess

Over the past few weeks, I’ve started playing chess (inspired by The Queen’s Gambit — which you should totally check out on Netflix). I found myself far more hooked by this game than by any other game I’ve played for a critical play this quarter. Chess somehow seems fundamentally different from those games.

What is it about chess that has made it a classic all over the world and among players of all ages? (Perhaps it isn’t fair to compare it to computer games in general, since chess has been around for about 1400 years, but still…its lasting popularity is impressive.)

Mechanics

Chess is a two-player board game. Each player has 16 pieces: 8 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, and a king and queen. The objective is to kill the other player’s king. Each type of piece moves in a unique way (diagonally across the board, in an L-shape, etc.). There are many variations on the rules and styles of chess (there’s speed chess, blitz, etc.) but in modern professional play a time limit for each player related to a limit on the number of moves also plays a role.

Dynamics

Throughout the game, players defend and attack by working to arrange their pieces so as to trap their opponent’s king. In general, they have to think several steps ahead about how their opponent will react to the moves they make, and optimize on this basis. Beginners generally think 1 step ahead, and as they get more advanced they become able to think further ahead. Also, as a player becomes more advanced they develop intuitions for how to move their pieces, and they learn sequences of moves/strategies. The time limit mechanic prevents the game from becoming purely a game of endurance, although play can last for many hours in some cases.

Aesthetics

The main aesthetic of chess is challenge, followed by competition, with some elements of expression.

Challenge: Chess is all about abstract challenge, in particular — spatial reasoning, and cause and effect thinking. Interestingly, the mechanics are simple enough that a beginner can start playing within 5 minutes of learning the objective and how the pieces move. Yet, geniuses who have played for their entire lives cannot “beat” the game. It is a test of mental agility and endurance. In my opinion, it is the ultimate battle of wits (with Go being a solid rival).

Competition: The mechanics create a game that does not depend on chance — the best player almost always wins. Of course — there is still some element of chance: perhaps a player is tired, or sick, or overly nervous. But if both players are hitting their stride, the best one wins. This really enables the competition aesthetic. Chess is also complex (obviously), and it has to be in order to remain interesting and not rely on elements of chance. Otherwise, it would become like checkers and there would not be real competition once a certain level of mastery is achieved. Finally, the physicality of the game further enables the competition aesthetic. Players sit across from one another in close proximity, and move pieces on a physical board. You can see your opponent’s every move, stare them in their eyes, even hear them breathe.

Expression: I would also argue that the game has elements of expression, because players can have vastly different styles of play: fast/slow, defensive/attacking, intuitive/analytical, etc., and because the game has a psychological element (figuring out how to throw your opponent off).

What’s the IT factor?

It is incredible to me how popular chess is, and how it has evolved across time and culture. It has changed a great deal, and purportedly become more challenging and exciting, since its origins in northern India in the 6th century. There is no single studio that can be given credit for the development of chess, and its worldwide penetration came from trade and ‘community spread’ as opposed to a purposeful marketing campaign. It has become deeply ingrained in many cultures, similarly to soccer or Go. I feel like this says something about the intrinsic quality of the game. I mean, these guys are willing to play it outside in the snow…

I think this would be an interesting topic to discuss in class: what makes a game last and have widespread appeal? Why is it that the world’s most popular games don’t have a completely clear origin?