Official taxonomy

Regimes by grammar

A regime is a first-level taxonomic class defined within a grammar. It groups that grammar’s objects according to the nature of the claim they make and the conditions required to establish it. Each grammar defines its own regimes and criteria.

Grammars: 2
Regimes: 5
Motifs: 15

Grammar

Tactics

3 published regimes

StateThe State regime groups tactical motifs that describe a relationship or constraint present in the position under examination. This fact can be established by examining the position and, where required by the motif’s definition, legal continuations. Creating this state and exploiting it are distinct actions.Example: a pin restricts a piece that shields its king or a more valuable piece.4 motifs GoalThe Goal regime groups tactical motifs whose claim concerns the achievement of a goal specific to the mechanism described. That goal is established when the side pursuing it can achieve it against every legal defense, under the conditions defined for the motif. The claim therefore comprises both the mechanism and its outcome and cannot be reduced to the configuration produced after a move.Example: a fork attacks two targets with one piece and wins material despite the defender’s legal replies.4 motifs InstrumentalThe Instrumental regime groups tactical motifs that describe the causal role of a move or mechanism in achieving a goal distinct from the means employed. This role is not necessarily unique. Establishing it requires establishing both the goal and its causal connection to the means, under the conditions specific to the motif. It characterizes the means used in the combination.Example: a deflection forces a defender away, which allows a later capture on the square it guarded.5 motifs

Grammar

Mates

2 published regimes

StateThe State regime in the Mates grammar describes a position in which the king of the side to move is in check and that side has no legal move. Named mates further specify this terminal configuration through the arrangement of the pieces and their relationships around the king.Example: in checkmate, the side to move is in check and has no legal reply.1 motif GoalThe Goal regime in the Mates grammar concerns the existence of a strategy by which one side can deliver checkmate against every legal defense. The claim is established when all continuations produced by following that strategy against any legal defense lead to checkmate. The terminal positions reached belong, in turn, to the State regime.Example: in a forced mate, every legal defence leads to checkmate within the stated number of moves.1 motif