PRIME STRATEGETIC PROPOSITION SECTION ONE

(First Phase.)

In the consideration of every Strategetic Situation possible in Warfare, or in Chess-play, the initial process always is a Grand Reconnaissance.

Grand Reconnaissance is that exact scrutiny of existing conditions, whereby is determined the relative advantages and disadvantages possessed by the opposing armies in:

1. Time.

2. Numbers.

3. Position.

4. Organization.

5. Mobility.

6. Topography.

The First Phase in the demonstration of every Prime Strategetic Proposition consists:

1. In determining by comparison of the relative advantages and disadvantages in Time, which of the opposing armies has the ability to MOVE, while the other must remain stationary.

2. In deducing the MOTIF of such movement.

3. In designating the DIRECTION of such movement.

The making of Grand Reconnaissance is a special privilege which exclusively appertains to the advantage in Time. It always should be made by the Commander-in-chief of that army which is able to put itself in motion, while the opposing army must remain stationary, and it never should be confounded with the advance of the Cavalry Corps, nor confused with the work of scouts and spies; all of which are matters entirely separate and distinct from Grand Reconnaissance.

In the Grand Reconnaissance of any given Strategetic Situation the element of Numbers primarily is to be considered, for the reason that the basic fact of the Science of Strategetics is:

“THE GREATER FORCE ALWAYS OVERCOMES THE LESSER.”—Napoleon.

Hence, unless more immediately vital considerations prevent, superiority in Numbers, of itself, is decisive of victory; and thus it readily is to be deduced that all else being equal, the advantage in Time plus the advantage in Numbers constitutes the easiest and simplest winning combination known to Strategetic Art.

But it so happens that the advantage in Time may be combined not only with the greater force, but also with an equal, or even with the lesser force, and from this it is self-evident that Strategetic Situations are divided into three classes, viz.:

I. Numerical superiority, plus right to move.

II. Numerical equality, plus right to move.

III. Numerical inferiority, plus right to move.

There are two primary methods for availing of superiority in Numbers to destroy the opposing lesser force, viz.:

1. By the Process of Attrition, i.e., by maintaining an incessant tactical offensive and thus wearing down the opposing army by exchanging pieces at every opportunity.

2. By Acting in Detachments, i.e., by means of the extra corps, simultaneously to attack more points of vital importance than the hostile army is able simultaneously to defend.

From the foregoing it is obvious that conversely there are two principal considerations, which all else being equal, must dominate the procedure of the Numerically inferior force, viz.:

I. To avoid further diminution of its aggregate.

II. To avoid creating indefensible vital points.

The second consideration in the making of a Grand Reconnaissance by the commander-in-chief of an army having the advantage in Time, is the element of Position; for the reason that by unscientific posting of Corps d’armee, relative advantages in Time, or in Numbers or in both, may be rendered nugatory, on account of inability of the kindred Columns of Attack, of Support and of Manoeuvre to perform their functions.

In case the Corps are scientifically posted and are in positions to avail of advantage in Time and Numbers, those adverse vital points whose occupation may be effected by superior force, always will be the objectives of the movements of the latter.

Hence, the following:

PRINCIPLE

As the advantage in Time gives the right to MOVE and the advantage in Numbers indicates the MOTIF of movement; so does the advantage in Position, as expressed by the Strategic Syllogism, specify the DIRECTION of that movement which normally appertains to the army having the advantage in Time.

The proper direction of that movement which normally appertains to the advantage in Time always is indicated by the plus signs in the Strategic Syllogism, viz.:

+A. Signifies that the Normal direction of movement for the army having the advantage in Time is along the Strategetic Center towards the Objective Plane.

+S. Signifies that the Normal direction of movement for the army having the advantage in Time is along one or more pawn altitudes towards the Kindred Logistic Horizon.

+M. Signifies that the Normal direction of movement for the army having the advantage in Time is along the shortest open pawn altitude towards the Kindred Point of Junction.

+A+S. Signifies that the Normal direction of movement for the army having the advantage in Time is double, i.e.,

+A. towards the Objective Plane.

+S. along one or more open Pawn altitudes toward the Kindred Logistic Horizon.

+A+M. Signifies that the Normal direction of movement for the army having the advantage in Time, is double, i.e.,

+A. towards the Objective Plane.

+M. Along the shortest open pawn altitude toward the Kindred Point of Junction.

+S+M. Signifies that the Normal direction of movement for the army having the advantage in Time is double, i.e.,

+S. Along one or more open Pawn altitudes toward the Kindred Logistic Horizon.

+M. Along the shortest open Pawn Altitude toward the Kindred Point of Junction.

+A+S+M. Signifies that the Normal direction of movement is triple, i.e.,

+A. Toward the Objective Plane.

+S. Along one or more open Pawn altitudes, toward the Kindred Logistic Horizon.

+M. Along the shortest open Pawn altitude, toward the Kindred Point of Junction.

The First Phase in the demonstration of every Strategetic Proposition is determined by the following:

THEOREM

Given the Normal ability to move, to determine the Normal motif and direction of movement.

1. Designate that army having the advantage in Time and express such advantage by the symbol +T, express the corresponding disadvantage in Time which appertains to the opposing army, by the symbol -T, and such symbols will constitute the First Term of the First Phase of the demonstration of any Prime Strategetic Proposition.

2. Express that superiority, equality, or inferiority in Numbers, which appertains to each of the opposing armies by the symbols +N, =N,-N, respectively; and such symbols will constitute the Second Term of the First Phase of the demonstration of any Prime Strategetic Proposition.

3. Express the objectives designated by the plus terms of the Strategic Syllogism, viz.:

(a) Objective of +A = Objective Plane, i.e., O. P.

(b) ” +S = Logistic Horizon, i.e., L. H.

(c) ” +M = Point of Junction, i.e., P. J.

and the symbols denoting such objectives will constitute the Third Term in the First Phase of the demonstration of any Prime Strategetic Proposition.

4. Combine those three terms which appertain to the advantage in Time, then combine those three terms which appertain to the disadvantage in Time, and the resulting equation when expanded will depict:

(a) The normal ability to move.

(b) The normal motif of movement.

(c) The normal directions of movement which appertain to each of the opposing armies.

EXAMPLE

White. (+T+N) + (+A+S+M)

Black. (-T-N) + (-A-S-M)

EXPANDED

First Term. +T = Normal ability to move.

Second Term. +N = Normal motif of movement, (a) Detachments, (b) Exchanges.

Third Term +O. P. = Normal objective of +A.

+L. H. = ” ” ” +S.

+P. J. = ” ” ” +M.

Hence, in the foregoing example the normal direction of movement for White may be either toward the Objective Plane with the Column of Attack, or toward the Logistic Horizon, or the Point of Junction with the Column of Support, or toward both objectives, with both columns simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the Black army having the disadvantage in Time is unable to move, and consequently is stationary.

Furthermore, White having the superiority in Numbers may move with an equal force against either objective designated by the Third Term of the equation, and with his excess force against one or more adverse vital points, simultaneously, against which latter movement, Black obviously has no adequate defence.

TACTICO-LOGISTIC INEQUALITY

The Tactico-Logistic Inequality is the algebraic expression of the relative advantages and disadvantages in Time and in Numbers appertaining to opposing Strategetic Entireties.

Such advantages and disadvantages are denoted by the terms, viz.:

+T. Signifies the absolute advantage in Time, i.e., the ability of an army, a grand column, a wing or a corps d’armee to move, while the opposing force must remain stationary.

-T. Signifies the absolute disadvantage in Time, i.e., the obligation of an army, a grand column, a wing, or a corps d’armee to remain stationary, while the opposing force is in motion.

+N. Signifies the absolute advantage in Numbers, i.e., the larger number of corps d’armee.

-N. Signifies the absolute disadvantage in Numbers, i.e., the smaller number of corps d’armee.

=N. Signifies the equality in Numbers, i.e., the same number of corps d’armee.

There are six forms of the Tactico-Logistic Inequality, viz.:

1. +T+N

-T-N

2. +T=N

-T=N

3. +T-N

-T+N

4. -T+N

+T-N

5. -T=N

+T=N

6. -T-N

+T+N

INITIAL STRATEGETIC EQUATION

The Initial Strategetic Equation is made up of those terms which compose the Strategic Syllogism and the Tactico-Logistic Inequality, viz.:

(+A+S+M) + (+T+N) - (-A-S-M) + (-T-N) = the Normal Motif and Direction of Effort.

RULE

1. Set down in parenthesis those terms of the Strategic Syllogism which appertain to White.

Set down in parenthesis those terms of the Tactico-Logistic Inequality which appertain to White.

Connect the two kindred terms thus constructed, by the sign of addition, to show that each is to augment the other, and superscore all by the same vincula to show that all are to be taken together to form one side of the resulting equation.

2. Repeat this process for the Black terms to construct the second side of the Initial Strategetic Equation, and separate the White from the Black terms by a minus sign.

STRATEGETIC VALUES

The Strategetic Values of the terms contained in the Strategic Syllogism and in the Tactico-Logistic Inequality are shown by the appended tables, viz.:

TABLE OF STRATEGIC VALUES.

Term. Post. Direction. Motif.

1. +A Grand Vertex Tactical Key of Objective Plane To give checkmate

2. +M Point Proximity en command Point of Junction To queen a Pawn

3. +A Major Vertex 1. Grand Vertex 2. Point Aligned 3. Point en Potence To gain winning Position with Column of Attack

4. +M Point Proximity en Menace Point en Command To gain winning Position with Column of Support

5. +M Point Proximity en Presence Point en Menace To gain winning Position with Column of Support

6. +A Minor Vertex 1. Major Vertex 2. Point Aligned To gain Superior Position with Column of Attack

7. +S Point Proximity en Observation Point en Presence To gain Superior Position with Column of Support

8. +S Point Proximity en Route Point en Observation To gain superior Position with Column of Support

9. +S Point Proximity Remote Point en Route To gain advantage with Column of Support

TABLE OF LOGISTIC VALUES

Term.

1. +T Unrestricted privilege to move any Piece.

2. +T Restricted to moving a Sustaining Piece en counter attack.

3. +T Restricted to moving an aggressive Covering Piece.

4. +T Restricted to moving a Passive Covering Piece.

5. +T Restricted to moving a Supporting Piece.

6. +T Restricted to moving the King out of check.

7. +T Restricted to moving the King from an untenable Objective Plane.

8. +T Restricted to moving a Piece to reduce the value of the Kindred King’s Logistic Radii.

TABLE OF TACTICAL VALUES

Term.

1. +N Larger numbers of Grand Corps d’armee of Evolution.

2. +N Larger numbers of Major Corps d’armee of Evolution.

3. +N Larger numbers of Minor Corps d’armee of Evolution.

4. +N Larger numbers of Corps d’armee of Position.

PRIME STRATEGETIC PROPOSITION SECTION TWO