Forward
Quaternity is a game which, like chess, can be played professionally or in tournaments; however, considering it as just a game would be its most basic application; it is more comprehensive to use it playfully so as to experience a whole series of situations that arise for those who play regularly. Quaternity can be approached from different types of contexts, for example, spatially, since there are four armies that follow a moving order, in 144 squares with a specific starting arrangement, in which each army has been positioned on the board in an area of 5x5 squares, that is to say, it has 25 squares in the starting position of which 16 are occupied by its own pieces. As there are four armies, each using a different color, a set of 64 pieces is located on the board and they begin to move, generating all kinds of spatial situations as they interact with each other, creating a complex beauty that is constantly changing.
During the experience of playing Quaternity you can discover another subtler game that takes place inside the player. These other experiences, exercised consciously, enhance the value of the game, turning it into a tool to develop intelligence and also emotional, social and internal control. Intelligence, since you must solve complex situations with simple movements. Emotional control is something you perceive from the moment you start playing: a dance of emotions takes place, since during your turn to play sometimes you make a wrong move and, sometimes, a wonderful move; another player attacks you and you respond aggressively, gains and losses are created during the game that will produce a series of wide-ranging emotional responses which will influence your game. If you are able to observe the emotions and develop control over them, you will progress in achieving your goals. Social control, since you play with other people in a context of competition or within a group of friends, a Quaternity club or another social space. Inner control, which happens when you become aware of the game, observe without judging the development of the moves, look inside yourself for what is "hidden in front of your eyes" and find that move which is waiting to be discovered.
Therefore, in this book we will devote some chapters to the game and introduce some of the experiences that can occur during a game. So that, when we are playing, we can be aware that Quaternity is not just a game.
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Before we begin to move pieces, we must know what we have to see or pay attention to; in order that we are going to
analyze a board.
We can verify that the Pawn b5 lacks protection at the start of the game, as well as the Rooks, but they are not easily attacked, so they are in a balanced position.
The arrows of the Bishops pointing to the Knights can invite impulsive players to exchange pieces right away. Analysing it, it is not advisaable to start a game like this, but it is not impossible. We have marked the b3 square as attackable, since with a "Queen-Bishop diagonal battery we can be invaded through that square, attacking the Rooks and even the Queen. if they move the Queen to c2 previously.
The a2 and b1 squares are two royal squares where, with a Queen and Bishop battery, black could checkmate the white King if these are not protected.
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Red
Nomenclature: d9-e8, e8-f8; Bb9-c10; Bc9-d8; Nd10-e8; Nd11-b10; Ra9-d9; Rd9-d10 and Ka12-b12 (9 moves).
Characteristics: We call this one the Vlad Opening". The central Pawns have already moved to open the central diagonal for the Bishop and the "D" file, where a battery of Rooks are in place. The Queen and light squared Bishop form a battery dominating the main diagonal and protecting the King. The Knights are active, one in defence and the other in attack. Only the b8 Pawn is unprotected. The e10 Pawn could be very vulnerable and attacked by the green light-squared Bishop. It is a very aggressive opening and has the disadvantage that, when moving the central Pawns, "the fortress" is weakened. The idea of this opening is to open ranks towards the right (d-file) and, supported by the Rooks, open the two main diagonals (dark and light), place the Bishops and stop the attack attempts from the left (with the 5 Pawns and the 2 Rooks behind). It is important that the King is located behind the e8 and f8 Pawns on the black diagonal.
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We always have to play with all our senses and perceptions involved in the game, which means that, in addition to being a game, it is an instrument that allows us to observe life from new perspectives, as well as being more flexible and having greater resistance to gains and losses we might have in our daily life, seeing them as possibilities, as opportunities, thus making it easier for us to better ourselves and know how to act correctly in the different situations of our game.
