What is "prophylaxis"

Prophylaxis \Proph`y*lax"is\, n. [NL. See Prophylactic.] (Med.) The art of preserving from, or of preventing, disease; the observance of the rules necessary for the preservation of health; preservative or preventive treatment.

"preventive treatment of disease," 1746, Modern Latin, from Greek pro (see pro-) + phylaxis "a watching, guarding" (see prophylactic).

n. 1 (context medicine English) prevention of, or protective treatment for disease. 2 (context chess English) A move or strategy that frustrates an opponent's plan or tactic.

n. the prevention of disease

In the game of chess, prophylaxis ( Greek προφυλαξις, "prophylaxis," guarding or preventing beforehand) or a prophylactic move is a move that stops the opponent from taking action in a certain area for fear of some type of reprisal. Prophylactic moves are aimed at not just improving one's position, but preventing the opponent from improving their own. Perhaps the most common prophylactic idea is the advance of the rook pawn near a castled king to make luft averting the possibility of a back rank checkmate, or to prevent pins.

In a more strategic sense, prophylaxis leads to a very positional game, often frustrating for players with a strong tactical orientation. Players who play in the prophylactic style prevent the initiation of tactical play by threatening unpleasant consequences. One of the largest advantages of this approach is that it keeps risk to a minimum while causing an overaggressive opponent to lose patience and make a mistake. The disadvantage is that it frequently fails against an opponent who is content with a draw.

It should be understood, however, that any move which prevents an opponent from threatening something can be called prophylactic, even if this word would not be used to describe the player's style. For example, Mikhail Tal and Garry Kasparov frequently played the move h3 in the Ruy Lopez—a prophylactic move intended to prevent Black from playing ...Bg4 and creating an irritating pin on the knight at f3—yet neither player would ever be described as playing in the prophylactic style. All grandmasters make use of prophylaxis in one way or another.

Famous practitioners include:

• Aron Nimzowitsch
• Tigran Petrosian
• Anatoly Karpov

Prophylaxis in medicine means measures taken to prevent, rather than treat, diseases.

Prophylaxis or prophylactic may also refer to:

• Dental prophylaxis
• Dental antibiotic prophylaxis
• A prophylactic or condom
• Prophylaxis (chess)
• Prophylactic rule, in constitutional law