Can someone please explain Dynamic  vs. Static factors in a chess position?

What are the similarities between Dynamic and Static?

What are the differences between Dynamic and Static?

What are Dynamically positioned pieces and pawns?

What are Statically positioned pieces and pawns?

Dynamic features are the temporary characteristics of a position. Examples: the placement of the pieces, tempo, king's safety, etc. Static features are the long-term characteristics of a position. Examples: pawn structure, material differences, etc.

Are you writing that advantages and disadvantages in space and time are dynamic factors of a chess position? And, that advantages and disadvantages in material are static factors of a chess position?

Also, that long term (persist from the opening thru to the endgame) characteristics of the position such as pawn structure are static factors of a chess position?

Time is definitely a dynamic element in chess. Space however is not that easily defined. It depends on the position. If a player has a firm grip in space that is not easily retaken by the opponent, then in that case space is a static feature. If the space advantage is temporary, then space becomes the dynamic feature. Material and pawn configurations are definitely static. Also, long-term characteristics do not mean they are permanent nor do they persist from opening to endgame. It is just that they do not change that easily.

Thank you all for your excellent comments.

I read this book titled, "My System."  The author writes about a small but secure center, and manouvering along inner lines.  He also writes about the Hypermodern Theory of Chess, that has as its principle:  Control the center with the power of your pawns and pieces, because with this method you do not create targets for your opponent in the center.

I know from reading other chess books that Black must always be at least  equalizing with every response to White's move.  And, consequently even though White, because he has the first move, has the initiative (he is attacking) must make a move in response to Black's move that at least equalizes. 

All of these ideas got me thinking.  What if White chooses to control the center the Hypermodern way.  By playing ,instead of 1.e4 or 1.d4 (which as I understand is the Classical Theory of Chess that has as its principle: Control the center by occupying the center with your pawns and pieces), 1.e3, 1.d3, 1.Nf3, and 1.Nc3.  To my way of thinking and the Hypermodern Theory 1.e4, 1.d4 create targets in the center for my opponent to attack.  Even 1.c4 and 1.f4 become targets for Black to attack. 

What if White decides by playing 1.e3, 1.d3, 1.Nf3, and 1.Nc3 to restrain and blockade the part of the center that he can control without making his pawns and pieces targets for Black to attack.  And, only at the right moment(when the balance of forces in that center area favors White) make a freeing pawn break such as c4, d4, e4, f4.  Maybe even, if the position dictates it, having to make a pawn break of b4 or g4.

I wrote all of the above to ask whether, (when the balance of forces in that center area favors White), is a dynamic advantage for White.

Sorry, so are you writing that  (when the balance of forces in that center area favors White), is a dynamic advantage for White.  In other words, control of the center strategically and tactically is a dynamic advantage in space and time.

How about a compact doubling as when the game goes 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bg5 Nf6 4.Bxc6 dxc6.  In "My System", the author writes that a compact doubling is a weakness but it is a static weakness that is not exploitable.

Also, maybe I misunderstand.  Is control of the center a time and space dynamic advantage?

One of the ideas of the hypermodern theory is to delay the central pawn advance. The reasoning is that pawns once advance cannot retreat. So, hypermodern proponents prefer to wait until the opponent has made some commitment in the center before deciding what to do with their own center pawns. While waiting, they typically use their long-range pieces to restrict and restrain the opponent.

It is difficult to separate a chess play into purely static and dynamic factors. Most if not all players use a combination of static and dynamic elements at the same time. As for the hypermodern opening approach, I am thinking that before they commit any center pawn move, they probably approach the center dynamically, because they are still reserving the flexibility on how to deal with the center. However, once they commit a center pawn move, they make a static commitment. Of course some people may disagree with me on this, especially since fianchettoed bishops (typical of the hypermodern approach) usually exert a lasting pressure and hence may be considered as a static feature. The b3/g3 pawn advance are also considered permanent feature of white's position.

Thank you, this is excellent information. 

Regarding, The reasoning is that pawns once advance cannot retreat.

Not only in "My System" but also in another book I've read, "Pawn Power In Chess", the authors don't write in the same words but they propose the same principle about the pawns because they cannot retreat.  I have worded the principle as follows:

Wining chess is the strategically and tactically correct advance of the pawn mass. 

I disagree, Wining chess means tactical and strategic positioning of all pieces synchronized all together to attain safety of the king and mating the opponent. In short all are dynamic during the game process and it can only be static when the game has reached its conclusion.

According to theories developed long ago by NM Russell Potter and others, the elements of chess may be divided into Static and Dynamic elements. 

The Static elements are those which are difficult to change - not impossible, but they require some major events.  These would include Material (since if you are ahead a Knight you will remain so unless something drastic happens) and Pawn Structure (narrowly defined as a "set" structure with contact which will only be altered over a period of time and is subject to well-known strategies, not a fluid structure which features no direct pawn contact).  Space is static to the extent it is created by pawn structure.

Dynamic elements would include King Safety, Mobility (in the opening, this is mainly Development), and Time.

Those are the major elements, others exist as combinations.  Space is a function mainly of Pawn Structure, but Mobility may also impact it.  Initiative is a combination of Time and Mobility, and may also include King Safety. 

Thanks for the clarity Estragon. Language used must be in chess defined terms.  Thanks again for the alignment of thinking.

It boils down to:  "static" elements are those which are more lasting, requiring more energy to change.  Think of the established pawn structure as the terrain, it will take some earth-moving equipment to level those mountains.

"Dynamic" elements are those which change more readily during the flow of the game, so an advantage in a dynamic element is one which must be pressed while it exists, lest it dissipate.