_“The ground is the CHESSBOARD of we cannibals; and it is the
selection and use made of it, that decides the knowledge or the
ignorance of those by whom it is occupied.”--Frederic the Great._
_The highest use of Topography consists in reducing a superior adverse
force to the inferior force, by minimizing the radius of action of the
hostile Corps d’armee._
_This is effected by so posting the kindred corps that in the resulting
Strategetic Horizons, impassable natural barriers are presented to the
march of hostile corps toward their respective objectives._
On the surface of the earth such natural barriers are formed by
mountains, rivers, lakes, swamps, forests, deserts, the ocean, and the
boundaries of neutral States.
On the Chess-board these topographical conditions are typified by
peculiarities and limitations in the movements of the Chess-pieces, viz.:
I. The sides of the Chess-board which terminate all movements of the
chess pieces.
II. That limitation of the movements of the Chesspieces which makes it
impossible for them to move other than in straight lines.