I've often seen the word 'thematic' mentioned in chess literature, but
have some difficulty in understanding what it means. Someone posted on
the chess newsgroups expressions such as

1) "Qb6 is a thematic move in this variation."

2) "This is a common thematic move in the french, supporting the
center. But
white's not really paying attention ..."

but can't quite determine what the word means.

An Oxford English Dictionary (large paper one, not an online one)
gives the meaning as:

ADJECTIVE - Of or according to a theme.

(theme - the subject about which a person writes, or speaks or thinks.
)

Relating to or constituting a theme.

An online dictionary,

http://dictionary.reference.com/sear...ic%20catalogue

supposidly taken from "Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, ©
1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc"

gives in addition to the above, the definition of a thematic
catalogue.

"Thematic catalogue (Mus.), a catalogue of musical works which,
besides the title and other particulars, gives in notes the theme, or
first few measures, of the whole work or of its several movements."
That sort of hints why the word might be is used in chess.

Would I be correct in assuming that one might reasonably say "The
thematic move in the French Defence after 1. e4 e6 is 2. d4"?

I'm making the assumptoin that since if White moves his kings forward
two places to e4 and Black plays moves his kings pawn forward one
place to e6, White will normally (though not always) move his queen's
pawn forward two places to d4.

Yours, just a little confused....

Dr. David Kirkby

Subject: What does 'thematic' mean ???

On 21 April 2004 (Dr. David
Kirkby) wrote in
Message-id:

I've often seen the word 'thematic' mentioned in chess literature, but
have some difficulty in understanding what it means. Someone posted on
the chess newsgroups expressions such as

1) "Qb6 is a thematic move in this variation."

2) "This is a common thematic move in the french, supporting the
center. But
white's not really paying attention ..."

but can't quite determine what the word means.

-snipped-

Dr. David Kirkby


Probably a good definition of "thematic," referring to a "thematic move," is
given by Edward R. Brace in his An Illustrated Dictionary of Chess, published
by the David McKay Co., New York, 1977:

"A thematic move is a move that is in harmony with the strategic ideas inherent
in the opening selected. For instance, in the King's Gambit thematic moves for
White would involve the transfer of the pieces to the kingside and not the
queenside, since the main justification of the pawn sacrifice is to open lines
on that flank."

George Mirijanian

"Miriling" wrote in message
...
Subject: What does 'thematic' mean ???

On 21 April 2004 (Dr.
David
Kirkby) wrote in
Message-id:

I've often seen the word 'thematic' mentioned in chess literature, but
have some difficulty in understanding what it means. Someone posted on
the chess newsgroups expressions such as

1) "Qb6 is a thematic move in this variation."

2) "This is a common thematic move in the french, supporting the
center. But
white's not really paying attention ..."

but can't quite determine what the word means.

-snipped-

Dr. David Kirkby


Probably a good definition of "thematic," referring to a "thematic move,"
is
given by Edward R. Brace in his An Illustrated Dictionary of Chess,
published
by the David McKay Co., New York, 1977:

"A thematic move is a move that is in harmony with the strategic ideas
inherent
in the opening selected. For instance, in the King's Gambit thematic moves
for
White would involve the transfer of the pieces to the kingside and not the
queenside, since the main justification of the pawn sacrifice is to open
lines
on that flank."

George Mirijanian

Yes, I think Geroge has provided a good /general/ description of 'thematic'.
Used more specifically thematic /move/ describes a particular move by a
piece to a particular square ( as you first wrote in your example of the
French, ie, Qb6 ) where its 'thema' is to 'observe' d4 and b2, as well as
developing the Queen earlier than normal as a raiding piece.

Examples of thematic 'moves' rather than thematic ideas are, for example, in
the Sicilian:
1.e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 cd
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 e5*

*e5 is the thema initiating the Pelikan variation. Its ideas are to gain the
two bishops, a majority in the center, further undermining of the white
center by f pawn action, inhibition in deployment of white's knights; at the
cost of a huge whole on d5 and a backward d6 pawn on a semi open file.

6. dNb5 d6
7. Bg5 a6
8. Bxf6 gf
9. Na3 f5*

*f5 is again a thematic move

10. Nd5*

Nd5* can be considered to be a thematic move for white, since there is
nothing currently better to do with the hole on d5 than to occupy it. An
associated thematic idea is to eventually support it with the other Knight.

I think sometimes George's provided-definition is as good as anything I
wrote here, and it really may not matter too much how, for example, the
QKnight gets to the kingside or any particular route taken - even though I
would personally prefer George's definition ot be called a 'thematic idea'.
So I think the term is used variously.

Perhaps others have even other ideas?!

Cordially, Phil Innes

In article ,
(Dr. David Kirkby)
wrote:

I've often seen the word 'thematic' mentioned in chess literature, but
have some difficulty in understanding what it means. Someone posted on
the chess newsgroups expressions such as

1) "Qb6 is a thematic move in this variation."

2) "This is a common thematic move in the french, supporting the
center. But
white's not really paying attention ..."

but can't quite determine what the word means.

It means "typical of the plans usually used in this sort of position."

EG in the French, moves like -c5, cxd4, Nc6, Nd7-f5, and Qb6 could all
be considered "thematic" as they revolve around the typical battle in
that opening: the fight for d4. For white, thematic moves might be those
that support the f4-f5 pawn push.