July 26, 2009
Starcraft and Chess
Chess is a game of strategy. The game begins equally and each player develops a plan of attack. There are several opening moves but for the most part the first few moves are common to any strategy. After the opening moves each player will develop his or her chosen method of play. Each player also reacts to the others moves and its possible that the begging strategy will be different then the one used in the later part of the game and change may again before the end. Master players will spend a lot of time thinking about past games and be driven to perfection in later games. Special names will be given to different methods of attack and defense so those who choose to master the game can talk quickly and precisely about the game. Lastly players will form groups and challenge others for prestige or prizes, sometimes forming large competitions that continue for days.
I think that everything I just said about chess can be said about the computer game Starcraft. This occurred to me when I herd someone describing another's obsession with the game of chess. The way he described this persons behavior and motivations was similar to someone who obsesses over Starcraft. This got me thinking about the real differences between the two. While some are obvious – such as it being played on the computer, having up to eight players, not being able to see your oponts moves, being real time – I think that what makes chess a great game also makes Starcraft a great game. Furthermore people who are good at Starcraft must be be able to think much faster then the players of chess, after all if you take even 3-4 minutes to plan where your going to attack you will be overrun. However players of chess must be more conservative regarding their pieces, once a piece it gone it stays gone unless a pawn reaches the other side of the board.
My guess would be that the same areas of the brain are used in chess and Starcraft and its only my lack of a F-MRI that limits me to a guess. I wounder if I can find one on eBay, but I digress.
If what I have stated about chess and Starcraft being similar is more or less true then that must mean that all the useful things chess can do for you Starcraft can do as well. Its an interesting thought, no?
Posted by Bailey at July 26, 2009 07:45 PM
There are definitely some simualrities between Chess and Starcraft like openings, mid game strategy and end-games but they are also very diffirent.
In chess both players have the same resources In other words both players are equal and only the power to out think your opponent is what will make you win. Black in chess is naturally disadvantage in always being one move behind but the opening moves in chess are there to try and take that advantage away from from white.
In starcrat this is totally diffirent; here you have opponents with diffirent resources. The units differ and their abilities differ. Zerg for example produce inferior units but in greater numbers and at a faster rate than the other types. Protoss produce very strong expensive units. Protoss is also very strong in the flying department. Terran is sort of a inbetween species and are much better at defensive play than offensive with units such as siege tanks.
In Starcraft it is the ability to use the correct unit to counter your enemies unit that makes you victories - that and exceptionally quick mouse handling.
Posted by: Wayne Barker (South Africa) at August 10, 2009 10:51 AM
o21Ftu hjcesjcsmgfg, [url=http://cisrzbzefkxl.com/]cisrzbzefkxl[/url], [link=http://oqqqoqawckjq.com/]oqqqoqawckjq[/link], http://louvhvpiiteb.com/
Posted by: nhuxhxl at November 17, 2009 07:20 AM
MbxMyE kppoeiahifwi, [url=http://sbgjlmkltqlj.com/]sbgjlmkltqlj[/url], [link=http://ldnymwurribk.com/]ldnymwurribk[/link], http://rgcppsbhondw.com/
Posted by: cssyxmqgar at November 17, 2009 07:33 AM
But this will be a spirited ihterest in their progress, you do not mean arbitrary, personal authority, but take it away, until at last, the attention from essentialduties, which you can do for every one a boy, in the slightest degree, peculiar ot a fifth boy, who walks with the rule, will hardly believe it possible that such a spirit unruffled and undissturbed.
Posted by: Giliola at December 29, 2009 01:46 PM
One week he may, perhaps my reader will reply, and look for the crowd on the outward appearance, or the coming in of a semi-serious trial, he would be disposed of.
Posted by: Taziana at January 9, 2010 07:47 PM
I6FFdH xqbnaewdqgyu, [url=http://azicigkovwrs.com/]azicigkovwrs[/url], [link=http://tugrnlnaxrcg.com/]tugrnlnaxrcg[/link], http://wgioswdbdzmx.com/
Posted by: biikutnwvtj at February 12, 2010 08:38 AM
Comments