Define Development

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Dale wrote:

I think it means that it is difficult to get a touchdown when all of your players are still on the bench.

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But, if you're the Steelers, you can still stop a touchdown with your coach!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8rlH0AsIUw

Thanks for the comments. I used the notion of scoring a touchdown with all the players on the bench in my opening remarks. I also compiled a list of definitions from books that I gave the students. The web version was posted this morning: http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-is-development.html.

I'm disappointed it does not contain any references to bunnies being perfect.

Sounds like you had a good seminar, Ziryab!

It was good. Three days of camp, six 45 minute sessions that were lecture-oriented, but with plenty of student engagement. Student were mostly elementary age children with a sprinkling of parents and coaches. Some of the strongest young players in our city and some beginners mixed in. Each session, there were three choices for the students. Me, Coach David, Coach John, or on Monday instead of David, there was Coach Jim, who is a FIDE Master. Tomorrow, there's a five round tournament for the kids and maybe some of the parents, too.

Development was covered through two Monday sessions. Yesterday, I had challenging pawn endings and then knight vs. bishop. Today, Art of Sacrifice (narrowed to examine only sacrifices against a pawn on h3) and a planned repeat of challenging pawn endings. At the start of today's pawn endings. I noticed that most of the students had been in yesterday's session. I broke out the  flash cards and we found some challenging positions (see http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2012/03/pawn-endings-flash-cards.html).

We spend the final fifteen minutes on this position with Black to move.

 It took me sixteen years to fully develop!

Great comments everyone, however in response to the statement: "Nope, pawns don't count when considering development..."

I must add that although pawn moves do not directly bring pieces off of the back rank, they do however contribute to the developement of one's game. For example White will never be able to place his King Bishop on b5, c4, d3, e2 or g2, unless a White pawn on the e or g file was moved first.

No you aren’t, you are a vampire bunny. Wait, I’m feeding you carrots right now. So- AHHHH!

What the dickens are you talking about?

Development in chess is all about activating your pieces to their most effective positions in the opening, with the goal of controlling the center, preparing your king's safety and ensuring that your pieces can work together in harmony.