29 Jul 04
I just like the symmetry of the final position in this game. Well, not really symmetry, except in the most abstract sense, but -- sort of independence. Kind of a zen checkmate. And also extreme overkill: 4 pieces participating in the final mate, with a fifth providing support on the previous move, all against a lone king...
Game 596863
Anyway, I think it's pretty. Anyone who has played a game with me and knows of my proclivity for completely losing moves, particularly sacrifices, just because they look cool or are startling understands that I play this game in large part for the aesthetics of the thing.
30 Jul 04
2 edits
Originally posted by Paul DiracYea, but that's TOO symmetrical. It doesn't do to have devices on all sides of the field. There's no motion, no emphasis in that position. It doesn't draw or direct the eye. In the current position, all the force is directed in one direction, with the bishops and the rook all directing their force downward and to the left, the queen directing her force downward, and the king directing his force to the left -- the pieces being a microcosm of the relationship between the king and queen... ok, now I'm talking garbage, with that last clause, but it's much more architecturally sound my way. 🙂
52 Bd1 would also have been mate, I see.
In your version, the king is simply caged in a box. In mine, the king has a huge open field to his bottom left, but it does not avail him. The space itself is part of the composition.
(Plus why give mate with check when you can give it with double-check?)
03 Aug 04
Originally posted by paultopiaWell, see, there is something to be said for minimalism as well. 😵
(Plus why give mate with check when you can give it with double-check?)
In my first game here I had a late-game move for my rook, where it could have moved to any of several squares on its file with absolutely the same effect on how the rest of the game would go. (My opponent was down to a king and blocked pawns.) So my choice of which square to move my rook to was made on the basis of esthetics. My esthetic sense said move it to the closest of the equally-good squares, i.e. send it the fewest squares from its current position, as if a rook could get tired and work up a sweat from having to travel too far. 😵
04 Aug 04
1 edit
Originally posted by paultopiaThis is not a final position but it was an amusing arrangement that occured in one of my games.
I just like the symmetry of the final position in this game. Well, not really symmetry, except in the most abstract sense, but -- sort of independence. Kind of a zen checkmate. And also extreme overkill: 4 pieces participating in the f ...[text shortened]... I play this game in large part for the aesthetics of the thing.
Game 443882.
You have to go to move 27.
I messaged my opponent "Your king looks like he is being crucified"
He replied "He is!!" 😵
It also turned out to be one of those 'mate with a pawn' games. 🙂