Optimized Chess: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:18, 30 July 2007

Revision as of 14:35, 30 July 2007

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All other rules, like ''[[en passant]]'' capture or [[castling]], are the same or similar to [[Chess]] although "symmetric castling" instead of "normal castling" is used. Sub-variants exist wherein the pawns do not have the ability to step two spaces forward with their first move.

Out of the 12,118 [[Capablanca random chess|Capablanca Random Chess]] positions recognized by [[Reinhard Scharnagl]], ''Optimized Chess'' is one of only two positions that exist- the other is [[Embassy Chess]]- that possesses all of the following criteria for stability:

* All 10 pawns are defended at least once.

* All 3 pawns vertical to the composite pieces (i.e., the queen, chancellor, archbishop) are defended at least twice.

* Both pawns diagonal to the king are defended at least twice.

* The pawn vertical to the king is defended at least thrice.

A detailed explanation of the importance of all of these criteria to stability can be found within the [http://www.symmetryperfect.com/shots/crc select CRC analysis tool].

''Optimized Chess'' is offered in two opening setups that are east-west transpositions of the same game or mirror-image symmetrical equivalents of one another termed "mirror I" and "mirror II". In practice, "mirror I" is typically preferred by players of [[Chess]] due its familiar relative placement of the king and queen (i.e., with the king east of the queen).