Is Fisher Random Chess the Solution?
Nov 23, 2023 9:27:22 GMT -5
Post by Radrook Admin on Nov 23, 2023 9:27:22 GMT -5
Is Fisher Random Chess the Solution?
Fischer's goal was to eliminate what he considered the complete dominance of openings preparation in classical chess, replacing it with creativity and talent. In a situation where the starting position was random it would be impossible to fix every move of the game. Since the "opening book" for 960 possible opening systems would be too difficult to devote to memory, the players must create every move originally. From the first move, both players must devise original strategies and cannot use well-established patterns. Fischer believed that eliminating memorized book moves would level the playing field.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fischer_random_chess Memorization
So as can be seen, Fisher's dissatisfaction with how much memorization was needed to be successful at chess impelled him to suggest his variation of chess as a remedy against preparation in the opening stages. You see, in his version, pieces would be set up at random with a few rules to endow the arrangement with some limitations. This he proposed would provide chess with a fresh start in which victory would rely more on talent than on rote memorization.
Well, that might be certainly initially true just as it was for regular chess at its outset. However, regular chess had to wait centuries for the advent of computers in order for it to be negatively affected. In stark contrast, Fisher Chess would not. Fisher Chess's opening variations would be immediately subjected to computer analyses. The number of non-analyzed opening variations would gradually begin to dwindle, and players would eventually start using memorization of variations in order get an edge once again. This would eventually create the identical situation that plagues regular chess today, and we would find ourselves right back at square one.
Also, Fisher Chess does not eliminate a very pernicious growing trend among both amateur and professional chess players, the trend of using computers to cheat. This problem is perhaps even more serious than memorization of lines since it requires no human effort whatsoever. Just recently a cheater beat the former World Campion Anand. In fact, Fisher Chess might even encourage cheating since the cheaters would then feel more helpless than with regular chess and thus feel more justified in letting their computers do the playing while they take the credit.
So as can be seen, Fisher's dissatisfaction with how much memorization was needed to be successful at chess impelled him to suggest his variation of chess as a remedy against preparation in the opening stages. You see, in his version, pieces would be set up at random with a few rules to endow the arrangement with some limitations. This he proposed would provide chess with a fresh start in which victory would rely more on talent than on rote memorization.
Well, that might be certainly initially true just as it was for regular chess at its outset. However, regular chess had to wait centuries for the advent of computers in order for it to be negatively affected. In stark contrast, Fisher Chess would not. Fisher Chess's opening variations would be immediately subjected to computer analyses. The number of non-analyzed opening variations would gradually begin to dwindle, and players would eventually start using memorization of variations in order get an edge once again. This would eventually create the identical situation that plagues regular chess today, and we would find ourselves right back at square one.
Cheating
Also, Fisher Chess does not eliminate a very pernicious growing trend among both amateur and professional chess players, the trend of using computers to cheat. This problem is perhaps even more serious than memorization of lines since it requires no human effort whatsoever. Just recently a cheater beat the former World Campion Anand. In fact, Fisher Chess might even encourage cheating since the cheaters would then feel more helpless than with regular chess and thus feel more justified in letting their computers do the playing while they take the credit.