System I, talk to me!

Originally posted on April 15, 2017 and September 23, 2018

Once you know what a position is about, verbally, with system II completely satisfied, the question arises "Now what? What needs system I to absorb from the diagram that is reusable for other positions? How does such absorption get triggered?"

In order to find out, I rework my old diagrams. Usually, my system II is already finished with them after hours spending on it in the past. So I can have a fresh look at the position with the above questions in mind.

One thing I noticed, is that a position as below made me feel uncomfortable. When the mind does what it usually does, then the job is easy. But trying something new with this position was definitely out of my comfort zone. I noticed that because my mind was continuously distracted by silly tasks like checking my e-mail and looking up what is on the television tonight et cetera. It took me days actually before I was ready to dive somewhat deeper into it. Since I believe it is necessary, I persist, though. But I spilled a lot of time.

Diagram 1 black to move

r1r5/4qppk/p1R1pn1p/1p6/2N1PB2/bN3Q1P/P4PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 1

[solution]

Some people make use of contextual information like "how is the material balance?" et cetera. I try to avoid that. I'm trying to learn how to find the best move from the diagram, and from that point of view, contextual information feels like a kind of cheating. It prevents learning the skill I think I need.

I redeemed the trial and error method as the natural way system I works. What simplification of the position does it need? What are the patterns or chunks or whatever system I can work with, in this position?

I realized that there are only 3 relevant moves to consider. All 3 moves are captures:

• Rxc6
• bxc4
• Bxc1

Since it are all captures, the question arises, what makes the differences between these moves?

The differences occur in two areas: before and after the move is played. In other words, what changes because the moving piece leaves a square, and what changes because of the moving piece enters a new square? What happens in the wake of the piece, and what is due to the bow wave?

Rxc6
It doesn't leave anything in its wake, nor does it create new threats that aren't already there on its new square. Meaning: it is not a multiple function move. Tempo-wise, there is no tempo won. Only a tempo is spilled to execute the capture.

 bxc4
It doesn't leave anything as a suffix. But it definitely creates a new threat in its prefix: the knight on b3 is threatened. Meaning it is a multiple function move. It spills a tempo on a capture, but it adds a new punch to the move that needs to be addressed.

Unluckily, the enemy has a multiple function move at his disposal that solves all his problems in one go:
1. ... bxc4 2.Rxc4

• In its suffix it leaves the threat behind of being captured
• The capture itself takes away the threat 2. ... cxb3
• In its prefix it adds a defender to rook c6

Bxc1
In its suffix it can't no longer be captured by knight c4 with tempo
In its prefix it obliges a recapture

There is no multiple function move for white that addresses all his problems:

• recapture  the bishop
• save knight c4
• save rook c6

The prefix and the suffix of a move gives additional patterns that are useful for judging the multiple functionality of a move. I hypothesized somewhere else that a combination is always based on winning a tempo by a multiple function move that cannot be addressed by a multiple function move of your opponent.

System I, can you work your magic with that?