Secrets of Trapping Pieces: Said the Spider to the Fly

KevinSmithIdiot

Updated: Sep 27, 2024, 4:13 AM | 1

Are you the spider, or are you the fly?

In chess, as in life, it often comes down to that. Are you one who is constantly trapped? Caught up in the webs of others, or webs of your own ill-considered contrivance?

Green Bottle Fly by Sonel at pixabay.com

Or are you the one who sets traps, breaks traps and knows the inner and outer workings of more traps than others can conceive?

Mouse Spider by stevepb at pixabay.com

In the game below we examine a voluntary self-entrapment of a Black Rook on a2 by a Bishop and Pawn. This self-entrapment is evaluated as the safest option from a computer perspective. Let's look at one example of the possible long-term, human difficulties associated with holding a position when the Rook is trapped in a corner by a Bishop and Pawn. We examine improvements as well as alternative roads filled with potholes. As a human I would be disinclined to try my chances in this trapped Rook scenario. Though that possibly says more about my modest skills than anything.

Belov, Igor (2440) - Dymerski, Henryk (2285) Katowice Fibak op 1993

Assessment: White will be ahead an Exchange and a Pawn.

Outcome: Black resigned.

Lessons learned or revisited:

A. Humans make mistakes! For White that is unlikely to cause a major problem. For Black any errors are likely to compound.

Kevin's Problem Rating: I rate this a '5' for Black's practical chances to hold the equal starting position (1=Easy, 5=Hard) .

Why that rating? The computer says Black is fine. The outcome went in favor of White. And during the analysis I found that White can often play third, fourth or even fifth best moves and retain good chances of hauling in the full point. While Black is all too often forced to find only moves.

Bottom line: What works for silicon chips often fails for carbon-based units.

There are two lessons for chess players in the poem below. For would-be spiders, seeking to trap a fly or three, build better traps. The flys are getting smarter every day. For the flys, be very wary while circling around a lovely-looking delicacy that appears to be just the right snack to round out the day. It might contain a nasty trap. Kin to the wolf in sheep's clothing.

The Spider and the Fly (1829), Mary Howitt.

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,
"'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to shew when you are there."
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome–will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple–there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue–
Thinking only of her crested head–poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour–but she ne'er came out again!

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

Secrets of Trapping Pieces: Said the Spider to the Fly

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