MOVE AWAY — TEMPO ASSESSMENT
MIDDLEEND
Triggered when a piece is under attack and no eliminate, block, or support cure is available.
The square chosen must account for tempo. The piece must do more than simply escape.
Minimum requirement: the move must support something.
1
GAIN TEMPO — COUNTER-THREAT
Move to a square that creates an immediate counter-attack — pressure, fork, or overload on the opponent. The retreat becomes an offensive move. The burden of the threat transfers back.
2
BREAK EVEN — SUPPORT A PIECE OR SQUARE
Move to a square that structurally supports another piece or key square. The piece escapes AND contributes. No tempo lost. This is the preferred minimum — do not accept anything below this unless no other square exists.
3
LOSE TEMPO — PURE SAFETY ONLY
Move to a safe square with no secondary benefit. Last resort only. Opponent gains one free move. Acceptable only when no Tier 1 or Tier 2 square exists. Never choose this when a better square is available.
SHARED WITH OVERLOAD CURES
The same logic applies to Overload cures 2 and 3 — when repositioning an overloaded piece, the destination square must either create a counter-attack or support another structure. Moving away and resolving an overload are the same decision under different names.
MOVE CLOSER — ADVANCE WITH INTENT
MIDDLEEND
Triggered in the Middle and End Game when CP formation is complete,
no forcing sequence is available, and no current attack type (pressure, fork, overload etc.)
is executable this move. The march toward f7, h7/g7, or a7 continues.
A piece advances — forward, not sideways. No tempo cost. No retreat.
1
ADVANCE SETS UP IMMINENT PRESSURE OR OVERLOAD
The piece moves to a square that creates pressure or overload within 1–2 moves. The opponent will face a forcing problem next turn. This is the preferred Move Closer — it is effectively a slow attack.
2
ADVANCE CREATES LATENT PRESSURE OR OVERLOAD
The piece moves to a square that loads a future weapon — not immediate, but the positioning will force a defensive response in 3–5 moves. Positional patience. The formation is tightening around the target.
3
ADVANCE TO NEUTRAL FORWARD SQUARE — NO ATTACK YET
The piece moves forward without being attacked, no tempo is lost, but no immediate threat is created either. The march continues. This is the floor — the least favoured Move Closer, used only when no Tier 1 or Tier 2 square exists.
NOTE — OPENING PHASE
The Piece Alignment Protocol in the Opening performs the function of Move Closer — each PAP move advances the formation toward the attack position. Move Closer as a named concept only applies once CP formation is achieved and the PAP sequence is complete.