In architecture, a column is a vertical support.
A column is a vertical support , elongated in shape, that supports the weight of a structure . The usual thing is that its section is circular: when it is quadrangular, it is called a pillar .
As an element of architecture , columns are classified differently depending on the link they maintain with the rest of the components of the structure. The isolated column is one that is separated from any vertical element of the building. The attached column , on the other hand, is placed juxtaposed to the rest of the elements, while the embedded column appears to be embedded in a wall.
The classic column has three elements: the base (the lower part), the shaft (the middle part) and the capital (the upper end). This means that the base supports the shaft, and that it does the same with the capital.
Various uses of the term
The commemorative column , on the other hand, is a monument that is made to honor a person or remember some relevant event. It usually reaches a great height and is located on a podium.
By extension to the architectural sense, a person or thing is called a column when it serves as support or protection . For example: «Diana is the backbone of the whole family; "I don't know what others would do if she were missing," "My knowledge of world history is the backbone of my professional career."
For journalism , a column is an opinion article . Whoever writes the column is known as a columnist and usually responds to the editorial line of the entire newspaper.
At the military level, meanwhile, a column is a formation of military units that march in an orderly manner , one after another.
The notion of column is used in the field of chess.
Open and semi-open column in chess
Chess is a board game whose rhetoric also includes the concept of a column. So much so that two of the most famous strategies, which are closely related, are known as open column and semi-open column .
An open column is a particular way of arranging the pieces so that a precise type of attack can be made. This distribution consists of providing a line of attack for the rook or queen, removing all pawns from the second rank (their original position).
In this game, having a rook or queen in an open file is considered an advantageous point for the player , who will be able to perform a series of precise maneuvers until reaching the opponent's sector and eliminating his king. This is a distribution of the pieces that allows greater ease in the attack. The fundamental objective of an open column is to reach the seventh and eighth row to dominate the game. It is worth mentioning that this strategy is one of the most used to win in this game .
A semi-open file , on the other hand, is a file without pawns on the opposing side. What is an open column for one team is a semi-open column for the opponent. It can be beneficial for both, as long as they know how to implement an effective strategy. A semi-open file offers great ease and freedom of movement, greater vulnerability on the part of the opponent's pieces and, therefore, greater possibilities of reaching the opponent's king , as long as he does not get ahead of us with any of his rooks. and his lady.
A good strategy consists of making the most of the situation: dominating with the rooks and taking advantage of having pawns, attacking with the smaller pieces to protect the large ones and, in this way, being able to accumulate pieces in the squares adjacent to the figures. opponent's strengths. This type of strategy is one of the most common to achieve an unquestionable checkmate .