Characterizing Non-Matrix Properties of Varieties of Algebras in the Language of Forbidden Objects
2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 16R10, 16R40. We discuss characterizations of some non-matrix properties of varieties of associative algebras in the language of forbidden objects. Properties under consideration include the Engel property, Lie nilpotency, permutativity. We formulate a few open problems. * The author acknowledges support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant 10-01-00524.