one question

[james uselton]

You find a magic lantern and you rub it. A Genie pops out and says he will grant you one question about chess, and one question only---which he will answer. Isn't there something about this game that has stuck in your craw over the years that has baffled you and you would like to understand? Perhaps your question applies to the game itself, perhaps to programming or the history of chess. What do you ask? What is the one question, above all others, you would like answered?

[Graham Banks]

Why does chess have more than its fair share of nutcases and troublemakers?

[sje]

Some would ask:

"What is the game-theoretic value of chess?"

I.e., "Is the game a win, lose, or draw for White?"

But it seems to me that knowing that for certain would take a lot of fun out of the game.

[Marek Soszynski]

Some would ask:

"What is the game-theoretic value of chess?"

I.e., "Is the game a win, lose, or draw for White?"

But it seems to me that knowing that for certain would take a lot of fun out of the game.

Not necessarily; for if you had that knowledge, why should it affect anything unless you let it? Your opponent plays 1.g3, but you - you fold your arms, sigh and tilt your head. "This is no fun any more - chess is a draw, you know. A genie out of a magic lantern told me." Meanwhile your clock is still ticking and your opponent is staying put...

[sje]

Why does chess have more than its fair share of nutcases and troublemakers?

Perhaps the Contract Bridge Genie would get a similar question.

[Kirill Kryukov]

You find a magic lantern and you rub it. A Genie pops out and says he will grant you one question about chess, and one question only---which he will answer. Isn't there something about this game that has stuck in your craw over the years that has baffled you and you would like to understand? Perhaps your question applies to the game itself, perhaps to programming or the history of chess. What do you ask? What is the one question, above all others, you would like answered?

One of possible questions: Which of the commonly played opening positions is both won by white (in game theoretical meaning) and is the closest to the starting position (Or one of the several equally close)?

For example, is a starting position won by white? If not, then is position after 1.e4 won? After 1.Nf3? etc.. You'll learn one position that is a sure win for white.

This way you'll at least learn something useful, as opposed to asking about the game theoretical outcome of the starting position.

[hgm]

If the position after 1. e4 would be won, the opening position would be won!

[Kirill Kryukov]

Hm. You are right... The question should be then: Which of the commonly played opening positions is won by white (in game theoretical meaning), has black to move, and is the closest to the starting position?

The idea is to learn a winning move in one of the popular openings.

[kgburcham]

nutcases and troublemakers????


only a small percentage has been suspended or banned.

kgburcham

[kgburcham]

what modifications to the Fruit code has made Rybka so strong?

kgburcham