What does that mean? Well, big trades, like the one that defines the Double Corner Dyke (9-14 22-17 11-15 25-22 15-19 24-15 10-19 23-16 12-19 17-10 6-15) disturb your position a great deal. A move like 15-18 or 15-19 which doesn’t trade may also disturb the position dramatically because it probably affects the center situation. And moves like 4-8 or 1-5 may disturb your position very little. Was Wiswell advising us to avoid these dramatic moves and favor quiet moves from the back row? If you looked at some of Wiswell’s games, you would probably answer, “Not!” Besides, we’ve all seen dramatic moves which win.The move which disturbs your position the least disturbs your opponent the most.
There is a problem with many dramatic moves, though. An advanced piece often becomes a target, a weakness. We may lose the piece or have to expend many moves to save it. Maybe the dramatic move of an advanced piece needs to be prepared with quiet moves. This is starting to make sense, and this buildup may actually disturb our opponents (those who are not already disturbed).
There is also the need to follow a plan. Beginners make moves here and there, and the moves don’t help with the plan. But if two or three moves all help with our plan, then these moves may not disturb the position much, but may gain an advantage. Also, a trade in your strong center may leave the center looking much as it did before the trade, disturbing that part of the position not at all, and may help solidify the center somehow.
And we can think up other situations in which aggressive moves are ineffective and quiet moves are particularly effective. So, what I think Wiswell was saying is this:
Wiswell’s version is more memorable (but enigmatic). But that might be what he meant. Maybe. This article started as a Beginners’ page, but is now for everyone.Don’t overlook the quiet (or subtle) move in your search for the right move.
Did I get it right? If not, what do you think Wiswell meant? Either way, please write to jimloy@jimloy.com.