(For ease of reference, please obtain the Rules of ST3d Chess by L. Lynn Smith) Now that the reader has been thoroughly familiarized with the basics rules and concepts of ST3d Chess, we will now cover basic strategy and tactics. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPENING MOVES USE OF THE ATTACK PLATFORM OPENING Most players may be tempted to begin their game by using the Knight- and Rook-commanded Attack Platforms to begin a direct assault against their opponent. While I will not completely dissuade such action, I will point out the problems with this offense. Example: White opens with [WKA]-[W]D4u. Black responds with [BQA]-[B]A1d. White then replies with N-[N]D4 Black then moves [BQA]-[W]A1up and announces 'Check'. White is forced to respond NxN. So, the reader now can see Black's mistake. Black has lost control of the Attack Platform and cannot now move it out of threat. Let's continue this exchange... Black RxN White BxP at [BQA]A1, thus continuing to deny Black the command of the platform. Black now has lost the Rook. If R-[BQA]A2, White can respond QxP at [BQA]B1. If R-[W]A1, it faces immediate capture by both BxR or QxR. If RxP at [WQA]B2, it is now pinned. Black, by this aggressive move has lost total access to Attack Platforms on the Queen's side. White can, by careful movement, continue to maintain control and utilize this to advantage. So, we see that unprepared use of the Attack Platform is not desired. ATTACK PLATFORM OPENINGS There are two potential first opening moves of each Attack Platform. An single orthogonal move, utilizing Rook-command, or the Knight-command move. The Attack Platform points of the King's side are thus: [ ] [ ] - - - - <----B fixed level [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] - - - - <----N fixed level [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] - - - - <----W fixed level [ ] [ ] The Attack Platform points of the Queen's side are thus: [ ] [ ] - - - - <----B fixed level [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] - - - - <----N fixed level [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] - - - - <----W fixed level [ ] [ ] Using Rook-command, White may move from the 1d to the 1u point, Black from the 4u to the 4d point. Using Knight-command, White may move to the [W]4u points and Black may move to the [B]1d points. The orthogonal move is primarily a defensive move, it does not allow for additional development of its royal occupants but does place pressure on the 1d points or the 4u points of the [N] level. The Knight-commanded move creates the best Attack Platform Opening. It can aid in the development of its occupants amd give the player access to the Neutral fixed level. It also creates a significant threat to the overall board. If White plays the King's Attack as Knight-commanded, this deters Black from using the same opening. Such a reply would place the Black King's Knight in immediate jeopardy. Thus ending Black's subsequent threat to White's fixed level from that side of the board. With the Knight-commanded Attack opening, the player now has immediate access to the Neutral fixed level. The temptation would be to quickly relocate the Knight, be advised that if the opponent maintains a Knight-commanded Attack Platform, it would be hazardous to give up Knight-command without proper development on the fixed level. Of course, an Attack Platform opening prior to Castling will signal to your opponent the side which you may be prepared to castle on. So development of the fixed level should be the priorty. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED LEVEL OPENINGS Here will play out the heart of the game opening. The purpose of the fixed level openings should be to secure the fixed level from assault by the opponent's Attack Platforms. The only pieces available for the first move on the fixed level are Pawns. At the set-up, the White Pawns threaten the potential placement of an Attack Platform at [N]1d POINTS and the Black Pawns threaten the [N]1u points. So, White should concentrate on preparing to threaten the [W]4u and [W]4d points, while Black would make for the [B]1u and [B]1d points. So we have the following first opening moves for White: P-[W]A3 P-[W]B3 P-[W]C3 P-[W]D3 P-[W]A4 P-[W]B4 P-[W]C4 P-[W]D4 And the following first opening moves for Black: P-[B]A2 P-[B]B2 P-[B]C2 P-[B]D2 P-[B]A1 P-[B]B1 P-[B]C1 P-[B]D1 The first priority should be securing the King, so removing the Attack Platform placement on that side of the playing field would be wise. White would make the following moves: 1. P-[W]B3 ......... 2. B-[W]C3 This opening accomplishes several objectives. It threatens [W]4u, [W]4d and [N]1d points on the King's side. But, if White was to make the following: 1. P-[W]B4 ... 2. B-[W]C3 ... 3. Q-[W]B3 White, now, has complete control of the fixed level. All adjacent Attack Platform points are threatened. White can begin preparation of defenses or assembling forces for assault. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ATTACK PLATFORM PLACEMENT Placement of the individual Attack Platforms can be effective in advancing the gameplay. Of course, gaining access to each level is the primary objective of Platform placement. Some would be tempted to load a platform with a few power pieces and immediately proceed to assault the opponent's fixed level, hoping to quickly corner the King. A good player will concentrate on securing fixed levels and gaining control of any and all of the Attack Platform. The Player who controls the Platforms controls the game. So, part of Platform placement will be maintain control of that Platform. In the examples which follow, all moves will have to be based upon the opening play of the opponent. The [N]1d, [N]4d and [W]4u points will be the primary objectives of White's Platform placement. That is, if White desires to gain control of the Neutral fixed board. ATTACK PLATFORM CONTROL Control of Attack Platforms will also be a concern of each player. This can easily be accomplished with the use of Pawns. Of course, maintaining control of each Platform is another matter. Just keep this in mind.... 'Pawns squat but Royals rule.' A Pawn can control or deny control. But Pawns, with few exceptions, guarantee control, Example of an exception: White has been able to place a Pawn in the B1 slot of a King side Platform. This was accomplished by bringing the two Platform adjacent and moving the B2 Pawn to the next. Now, if the player places this Platform on any D1 points, the ability for the opponent to access this Platform is greatly diminished. The Pawn is still vulnerable but not much. So, keep control of the Platforms. Watch for potential attacks. Be prepared to move them. There are several royal pieces which may be devoted to Platform control. The Knight makes for the best defensive controller, it can quickly leap the Platform out of threat. The Rook and Bishop can be blocked. Their inability to move the Platform through occupied Platform points is a drawback, so the placing of this type of Platform is important. Obviously, placing the Rook-controlled Platforms at the [W]d and [B]u points limits its possible moves. The Bishop-controlled Platform has these same vulnerable points, including the [W]1u and [B]4d points. The Queen-controlled Platform offers a very powerful tool with no choke points. It is still vulnerable. Example: A Queen-controlled Attack is located at [W]1d. The opponent is able to block the [N]1d point, thus denying the diagonal move. Now, all that is left to attack the adjacent [W]1u point. This can be done from the [W] level or the Platform at [N]1d itself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OCCUPYING THE NEUTRAL LEVEL Now that the reader has seen that securing the primary fixed level, White or Black, and maintaining control of the Attack Platforms are essential to good gameplay, we will proceed to occupying the Neutral fixed level. Attack Platforms can be used to obtain control of sections of the Neutral level. Example: White may establish control of the Neutral level by placement of an Attack Platform at the [N]1d, [W]4u, and [N]4d points. This gives access to the forward, middle and rear sections of the fixed level. Of course, the players strategy must be depended on which side of the field. Pawns, Knights and Bishops will often be the pieces of choice for the Neutral level occupation. That is not to say that Rooks and Queens do not play a significant part, just often as backup and powerplays. Let us examine the following set-up: 1. P-[W]B4 ... 2. B-[W]C3 ... 3. Q-[W]B3 ... 4. N-[W]A2 ... 5. [WQA]castle ... 6. [WKA]-[W]4u ... 7. N-[N]D4 ... 8. B-[WKA]A1 ... 9. B-[N]C1 or B-[N]C3 These moves are total theoretical and need to be based upon the potential responses of Black. But the reader can now see that the swift security of the primary fixed level and the powerful occupation of the Neutral level can be made in only a few moves. Controlling the Neutral level allows the player an area by which to build a sufficent force for the assault on the opponent's primary fixed level. It also give the player the greatest opportunity for seizing control of Attack Platforms. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHECKING THE KING The reader has now reached the goal of ST3d Chess, the King. There are several ways to guarantee swift mating of the King. 1. Strand it upon a fixed level. 2. Corner it upon an Attack Platform. 3. Attrition(sic) STRANDED ON A FIXED LEVEL Without access to Attack Platforms, the King can be pursued and cornered very quickly upon a fixed level. Remember, this is only a 4x4 playing field. A few moves and the King can be mated. Example: The Black King is stranded upon the Black fixed level at C4. White has an Attack Platform at [N]A1u with a Rook at B1 and a Queen at B2. ... ... 23. [N]A1u-[N]a4u K-[B]C3(an arbitrary move) 24. Q-[B]A3check K-[B]C2 25. R-[B]A2check K-[B]C1 26. Q-[B]B2check K-[B]D1 27. R-[B]A1mate Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. CORNERED UPON THE ATTACK PLATFORM Since the King can command an Attack Platform, the player must be able to command one of the Attack Platforms on that side of the playing field or pin the opponent King-commanded Attack Platform to a fixed level. If White has a King-commanded Attack Platform located at [W]1d. Black would attempt to place an Attack Platform at [N]1d of that side, thus denying White the ability to move the Attack Platform for the [W]1 position. With a single Pawn, Black can also threaten to remove control if White moves from [W]1d to [W]1u. Let us continue this scenario. The White King is located on [WKA]A1 at the [W]1d point. [BKA] is located at [N]1d and contains a Pawn at B1, a Queen at A1 and a Rook at A2. 23. Q-[W]C2 ... This has effectively cornered the King. The player can now see the subsequent moves necessary to mate the King. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope the reader has found this paper helpful with the gameplay using 'The Rules of ST3d Chess'. If there are any questions or comments, please e-mail me at: [email protected]
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