Re: A point missed about the game . . .
Every token, or piece, is subject to battle and possible death (i.e., p takes r; n takes b...), except one (1).
No matter how well you plan, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot, under any condition, kill the opponent's king. He will either be forced to resign, forced to a draw, or he will be mated (which, depending on your dictionary and definition, may or may not be all bad).
Dan