In chess composition, a motif is basic element of a move in the consideration why the piece moves and how it supports the fulfillment of a stipulation. Any move may and often does contain multiple motifs. Some composition schools put specific emphasis on motivation in chess problems, especially strategical school and Slovak school.

A composition where a maximum number of a certain motif occurrences is shown is called a task, even if the term task is more general.

Classification of motifs

Motifs may be classified according to various viewpoints. In the usual twomovers they might be:

• positive - those working towards the accomplishment of the stipulation
  • attacking - positive motifs of white moves
  • weakening - negative motifs of white moves

• negative - those tending to hinder the accomplishment of the stipulation
  • defensive - negative motifs of black moves
  • harmful - positive motifs of black moves

Similar classification is valid for all directmates, selfmate

Selfmate

A selfmate is a chess problem in which white, moving first, must force black to deliver checkmate within a specified number of moves against his will. Selfmates were once known as sui-mates.The problem to the right is a relatively simple example...

s, reflexmate

Reflexmate

A reflexmate is a chess problem in which white, moving first, must force black to deliver checkmate within a specified number of moves against his will - with the added condition that if either player can give checkmate, they must. If this condition applies only to Black, it is a semi-reflexmate...

s and other problems with antagonistic aims of sides, while for helpmate

Helpmate

A helpmate is a type of chess problem in which both sides cooperate in order to achieve the goal of checkmating Black. In a helpmate in n moves, Black moves first, then White, each side moving n times, to culminate in White's nth move checkmating Black...

s and other help-problems only positive/negative level is applicable.

Contents of motifs

The basic orthodox motifs are:

• preventing the move of other unit (includes taking of a flight of the king)
• allowing the move of other unit (includes creating of a flight of the king)
• guarding of some square or line
• unguarding of some square or line
• attacking of king (checking)

In fairy chess

Fairy chess

Fairy chess comprises chess problems that differ from classical chess problems in that they are not direct mates. The term was introduced before the First World War. While selfmate dates from the Middle Age, helpmate was invented by Max Lange in the late 19th century. Thomas Dawson , pioneer of...

 some other motifs are possible.

Forms of motifs

Any of the above-listed motifs may be presented in various forms. In orthodox chess problems these forms include:

• capture (prevents move of captured unit, allows move of king to square previously guarded by captured piece)
• line opening (allows move of pieces along opened line, guards square on the opened line, checks by opening the line)
• line closing (prevents move of pieces along closed line, unguards square on the closed line, removes checks by closing the line)
• blocking (prevents move of the king or any other piece to the blocked square)
• unblocking (allows move of the king or any other piece to the unblocked square)
• pinning (prevents move of pinned piece, unguards square previously guarded by pinned piece)
• unpinning (allows move by the unpinned piece, guards square by unpinned piece)

In the fairy chess, other forms of motifs are possible, e.g. allowing the move by a grasshopper by providing the hurdle or allowing the capture by a piece by patrolling in Patrol chess

Patrol chess

Patrol chess is a chess variant in which captures can be made and checks given only if the capturing or checking piece is guarded by a friendly unit...

.

While studies

Endgame study

An endgame study, or just study, is a composed chess position—that is, one that has been made up rather than one from an actual game—presented as a sort of puzzle, in which the aim of the solver is to find a way for one side to win or draw, as stipulated, against any moves the other side...

 also may contain problem motifs, they often contain usual tactical motifs.