I recently played enough StarCraft and good-old chess to try and make a comparison between the two.
- Chess has fewer pieces, a smaller area of play. In StarCraft you have many more options in playing.
- Despite this, I consider chess to be much more complex. A single variation in the way you play chess and everything is different. In StarCraft, there’s a standard procedure to create units, make buildings, fight battles. Once you create a pattern in the way in which you play StarCraft, you tend to play the same way. Yes, even in chess there are styles, but you tend to have much more freedom.
- StarCraft is much more about memory, remembering „I need to do X, I have to keep my attention on Y”, while in chess analysis plays a major role.
- Chess vs. StarCraft is a bit like the comparison between modern vs. classical music. In classical music, you only have a few notes and a few instruments, while in modern music the sky is the limit. Yet, classical music tends to have complex compositions, and enormous variations, while modern music tends to be very repetitive and simple. Lots of instruments to choose from, fewer instruments chosen. (idea via »)
- I get a kick playing StarCraft, it’s good with emotions, and a bit addictive. On the other hand, I feel that chess helps me grow better.
