How important is strategy when fighting zombies? I’m sure most would say zombies’ lack of intelligence gives humans an edge against them. However, if fifty zombies trap you in a room and they’re pounding at your door, some strategy would go a long way. Perhaps running into a room with no way out wasn’t such a good idea after all.
![Zombie playing chess [Photo Credit: Unknown]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/a6d7e8c3e0.png?w=300&h=213)
One of the strategies prevalent in a good chess game is the sacrifice. To be specific, giving away a piece on the board in order to obtain an advantage of the enemy later in the game. As I explained in my Zombie Animals post, the zombie virus hops from human to human without infecting animals in a process called zoonosis. What better way to distract a zombie horde than to give away your future dinner. It’s a good idea to carry around a chicken to use as bait for zombies to chase while your group takes the high road. If chickens are not around, then I’ll refrain from suggesting the obvious.
Another chess strategy is castling. The way this works is the player tucks the king away behind an impregnable wall of pawns with a rook used as the anchor to the move. In a real-life zombie situation, the term “hunkering down” may prove to be the best option with a crowd of zombies knocking at your door. The caveat being, whatever happens no one stops shooting. You’ll need plenty of ammo and lots of patience to execute this strategy successfully.
Up next, the pin. The general idea behind a pin lies in trapping a piece on the board so it can’t move from its position. Same goes for zombies. Trap them, then scrap them. Bear traps work great for those persistent undead who just won’t leave you alone. Holes in the ground with sharp sticks at the bottom can prove to be a survivalist’s weapon of choice. Let’s not forget the snare made from netting and a trip wire to set it off. A good strategy is a planned strategy, at least that’s what I say.
The last tactic involves the king. When the king has lost all of his army, his main goal is to keep alive for as long as possible. In the game of chess, the king has fifty moves to avoid a checkmate by its opponent. Part of this tactic includes attempting to force a stalemate where both sides can’t reach a realistic conclusion. Similarly, in a zombie apocalypse, when all hope seems lost, never give up. There’s always hope. No matter how bad things seem, there is that one chance the zombies will mess up and you can get away. This means maintaining a positive outlook, looking forward to a better tomorrow and remaining filled with the optimism that things will work out.
How different is it from the way we should live our lives today?
Are you a chess player appreciating strategies that may one day save your life? If not, what strategy would use to defeat chasing zombies?
Looking to God 
Makes me thankful that my dad taught me to play chess. This also makes me think I should maybe make arrangements to meet up with him during the Zombie Apocalypse.
I love chess, but I’m no good at strategies (I’m a bomb-and-run and then make sure you have enough supplies to hunker down with plenty of ammo and food kind of girl). Great post, Jack!
i mentioned that i don’t play chess… but does plants v.s. zombies count? it’s definitely got strategy! not really the same, i guess. 🙂
Oh, it counts! Believe me, it counts!
Jack, I loved this post. You have everything thought out and it was awesome that you compared survival to a chess game…because in a way, it is
Thanks, Marie! I love the game as much as zombies and I’m constantly thinking in strategies!
i don’t know how to play chess. but i do think strategies are needed when fighting anything/anyone! definitely high ground and high walls to start. man-power is essential. the more people on the look-out, the better chance that everyone survives. and as you said, traps are important too. not getting trapped in a room with another exit is probably high on my list as well. 😉
This is really interesting, a chess game compared to zombie survival. I think that comparison will allow people to remain calm in a stressful situation. It’s a perfect way to take a step back, plan then attack, or run, or hide or whatever the heck they decide. 🙂 Great post!
Thanks! I’ve been thinking about this for a while and finally took the plunge when playing the game against the computer for a days upon days. Love the game as I love zombies!
I’m terrible at chess. Though I’m a big fan of finding a spot for fortification. Traps and maybe keeping expendable livestock in a barn would help. What about animals that are quick that can lead zombies away from your position? Something like a rabbit or a sheep. Although, you always into that issue of needing supplies at some point. Not sure if you’ve mentioned it before, but what about a sea colony defense. Just take a yacht, cruise ship, or aircraft carrier far enough away that zombies can’t get there.
I didn’t think of rabbits, but they’re definitely up there with leading a horde of zombies away from humans. Only, they’re so cute that I can’t see using them as bait. Then again, some folks do eat rabbit, so that point is rather moot. And yes, if anything can be said about sea fortifications, a yacht would do wonders when sailing into the sunset. Trouble with that idea is if the food runs out then we’re stuck going back to shore for a replenishment. Wouldn’t it be great to have an ever-constant supply of food without worrying about running out? Where’s that island in the movie Cast Away?
I expect most rabbits to be like Bugs Bunny and eventually escape. If not then they’re like the one that bit me as a child and deserve what they get. 😛
What about hydroponic farm or something like that on the ship? With something the size of a yacht or aircraft carrier, you have a lot of deck space. I would think runs to the shore would be needed anyway to look for other supplies and to see if the zombies are gone.
I like how there are many options not just one. I feel much more optimistic against them now 😉