Chess poesy
Game composition coupled with poetry.
Novelty in chess
Chess has been approached from every angle. We have proposed sundry variations in time control, tournament system and governing body. We have analysed the Najdorf for a century, compiled refutations to the King's gambit and tried (in vain) to understand the subtleties of the Giuoco Pianissimo.
Morphy thought chess was a sort of irrational drug which we regret putting time into after all is said and done. Fischer put an equal sign between "chess" and "life". We created computer tournaments, puzzles, tablebases and grandmaster draws; but I have found an opening in chess...
"A new opening"
Game composition is a little explored idea; It has been done for cinematic purposes, but hasn't been explored as an expression of ideas. Imagine I told you to compose a chess game with the theme "love". All sorts of ideas spring to mind, an interesting one being to predetermine 2 pieces, one on each side, who are destined to love each other. Create a logical, exciting and profound game where the 2 pieces find a happy ending. Now create a chess game played by Pennywise the clown as white and Leonardo da Vinci as black - more hidden references and meaningful moments make a more beautiful art creation.
Inspiration
My inspiration in exploring game composition comes from the September 1961 Chess Life where an article appeared by Bill Byland and Woody Armstrong of the Pittsburgh Chess Club in which a chess game was "annotated by William Shakespeare". I include this seminal work here which I adapted to lichess;
King's Knight's Game
My contribution
The enterprising authors had taken a played game and added the annotations. This gave me the idea to do the same thing with the difference that I would create the games myself. In creating these games, I sought a balance between objectivity, beauty, originality and meaning. I found that my best ideas came when I was "lucid". I leave the games without commentary but I would happily discuss them with anyone interested.
The troubled clown
The gloomy portent
I have more such games which however require annotations to complete the work. Let me know if you'd like to see them published. Until then, good day to all!