Positional Theory. Elements of Strategy. 2.2.4. Tactical Motifs: Elements of Combination. 2.2.4.2. Defensive Play: Prophylaxis.

Taking into consideration that the concept of 'defensive play' always implies the planning of a counterattack, prophylaxis in chess stands out as one of the most efficient defensive resources in the practical development of the game. It involves a strategic approach of taking preventive measures to avoid potential problems that an opponent might pose, while preparing tactical resources to gain certain strategic advantages that may not be immediately obvious.

Prophylaxis is a crucial concept of the skill at chess because it enables the player to control the game and thwart the opponent's plans before they fully materialize. However, it also demands a nuanced understanding of the position and the potential threats that may arise, requiring precise positional analysis and the ability to balance defense with the pursuit of opportunities to implement one's own initiatives. Prophylactic thinking is also a distinctive feature of the positional nuances of strategy, by preventing opponents from entering risky double-edged lines potentially unfavorable to oneself, and in turn 'punishing' opponents who play too aggressively, keeping enough resources to refute potential mistakes that they could commit.

Some examples of prophylactic moves in chess could include placing a piece on a square to block a potential opponent's penetration, reinforcing the king's safety, or preparing a central breakthrough before the opponent has a chance to do so, which can be considered the technical expression of prophylactic thinking, in contrast to its conceptual expression that influences more the mental processes of calculation, in order to reduce the number of moves to be considered.

 

1

(Diag. 1) In this typical opening position that arises after the moves 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3, black can follow in various ways like ...g6, ...e6, or the prophylactic ...a6 that not only prevents white from posting a piece on b5, but also prepares a flank counterattack with ...b5, ...Bb7, ...Rc8, ...b4, etc.

2

(Diag. 2) In this endgame position white should make use of prophylactic thinking and avoid the "obvious" 1.Rc7??, as after ...Rc5 black wins by pinning the white rook to the queen and threatens checkmate on d1 if 2.dxc5 (2.Rxc5 Qxb7, or if 2.Rxd7 Rc1#). Therefore white should continue with 1.Qxd7, 2.Rc6, 3.Kf1, etc. with a favourable endgame.

 

3

 

(Diag. 3) This position from the game Tal - Petrosian (Curacao 1962, round 8) shows a more ample approach to prophylaxis as a dynamic resource of strategic planning, as white would like to consolidate his central position with natural moves like Bd3, c3, Qc2 and keep flexible chances to castle either in the kingside or queenside. Black therefore questioned these opponent's ideas by 7....c5! in order to prevent white's central consolidation and arrange a central advance of his own.

 

4

(Diag. 4) This example is more about the 'conservative' use of prophylaxis as a mean to enhance the own positional safety and reduce the dynamic potential of the opponent's pieces. The position in the diagram arose in the game Karpov - Timman (Montreal 1979, round 2) and in the 9th move white played h3!? so as to deny black of the possibility of pinning the knight on e2 with ...Bg4 and beggining a series of subtle maneuvers that little by little allowed him to acquire a solid advantage in space which led to a win for white.

Other ways of understanding prophylaxis as a parallel concept to other areas of human activity are, for example, the camouflage tactics used by military armies to maintain a solid and conservative position, while directing attention to the key moments when a opponent neglects his guard, to then define a decisive attack. Similarly, in the realm of business management theory, the idea of 'contingency planning' suggests that there is no single way to manage organizational problems or a one-size-fits-all solution. This concept recognizes that changes in the external environment can influence the achievement of established objectives in an organization, either positively or negatively. Therefore, it is crucial to have contingency plans ready to be implemented as potential solutions when changes in the business environment threaten the attainment of its objectives, aiming to maintain administrative equilibrium. In chess, the notion of organization can be interpreted as the positional interconnectedness of the game, which varies according to each player's spontaneous decisions and the resources at their disposal, and the contingency approach as its basic concept of prophylaxis.

Among the most renowned practitioners known for employing a notably prophylactic approach to chess are Aron Nimzowitsch, Tigran Petrosian, and Anatoly Karpov. However, it's important to note that while any move that prevents the opponent from threatening something can be considered prophylactic, this term may not accurately describe a player's 'style.' For instance, Mikhail Tal, Garry Kasparov, or Viswanathan Anand often made prophylactic moves in their games, yet none of them could be categorized as prophylactic players. All chess players make use of some form of prophylaxis in their games; it's just the degree to which they tend to make such moves that contributes to recognizing its practical approach for dealing with a particular position.

Classic representatives of prophylactic play in chess

 

One of the major advantages of incorporating this concept into one's playing style is that it minimizes the risk of losses by tactical means due to its emphasis on safety, harmony, and versatility, while making impatient players overestimate their attacking prospects and commit errors. Its drawback is that it often fails against opponents that are satisfied with draws, as it can lead to passive and overly defensive positions if overused. As for example, not all the opponent's threats are equally dangerous, and at times a player may expend unnecessary resources to defend against a threat that isn't as serious as it appears. Therefore, the idea of prophylaxis as a parameter of strategic judgment can only be considered a useful tool when applied objectively to prioritize and distinguish achievable plans from unattainable ones.

In summary, prophylaxis is a valuable resource in chess for preventing threats, but it should be used in moderation and in balance with the pursuit of active plans and initiative. Rather than merely reacting to the opponent's moves, prophylaxis involves anticipating their potential plans and taking measures to neutralize or hinder them, with the aim of formulating strategies to refute them, even if it means sacrificing some positional flexibility or making seemingly passive moves.