Questions tagged [theory]
Theory commonly refers to the erudite study and the philosophy behind the moves in chess (like the opening or endgame theory), but this tag can also be used for questions about the theoretic study of the game itself.
395
questions
3
votes
0
answers
94
views
Can previous and continuing research on N-piece tablebases be used toward human theory of chess?
This follows another questions here:
What is the status for EIGHT piece endgame tablebases?
My answer there was appropriately removed as being question in reaction to that question, well in light of ...
- 123
3
votes
3
answers
657
views
Theory behind the Cow Opening
Recently IM Eric Rosen played the Cow Opening every game in Titled Tuesday, scoring 6.5/11 and increasing his rating. He streamed it and put it on YouTube. It is a Hippo style opening which can play ...
- 94.5k
1
vote
1
answer
94
views
Why is Nf6 a blunder here?
With Nf6, I'm trying to bring my Knight out. If the Bishop takes it, I can take the Bishop with by g7 pawn. Why is this a blunder?
- 179
0
votes
2
answers
157
views
London system move order nuances Qb6 without Nc6
In the London system, playing early Nd2 is recommended to react against Qb6. For example if we take this move order
[FEN ""]
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nd2 Qb6 6....
- 2,348
6
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Forced mate from move one - what is this train of thought called?
I have intuitively thought that one of the following must be true:
White has a forced mate from move one.
White doesn't have forced mate, but does have a forced draw from move one (and in turn, black ...
- 163
4
votes
1
answer
128
views
London system plan against Qxb6 when white has time to go a3 and Rc1 getting out of pin
In the London system where white doesn't develop the b1 knight early the Qxb6 followed by a3 is considered a mistake due to the following sequence
[FEN ""]
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. ...
- 2,348
6
votes
2
answers
708
views
QGD is 3... Be7 better than 3...Nf6
3...Be7 a.k.a the Alatortsev Variation is a possible response as black for QGD players
When I checked with the database 3...Nf6 is the most played move instead of 3...Be7.
When black plays Nf6 they ...
- 2,348
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
When did this chess game against ChatGPT diverge from theory?
I have recently been tinkering on and off with ways to make ChatGPT play chess. This has worked somewhat well, even with ChatGPT3.5, using a prompt crafted to make ChatGPT re-prompt itself at every ...
- 772
-6
votes
1
answer
152
views
Are all main lines and variations of chess openings necessarily SOUND?
Are all main lines and variations of chess openings necessarily SOUND?.
I mean since we can't know all possible games, unique games, which are so large, about 10⁴⁰, how can I be sure that all "...
- 255
2
votes
1
answer
104
views
Can you suggest book references on chess theory?
as stated in the title I am looking for structured textbooks on chess. I have followed chess.com lessons and I have a rough idea of tactics (forks, pins, skewers, sacrifices, etc) but I feel like I am ...
- 21
5
votes
5
answers
312
views
How to Learn Chess Comprehensively
I'm a pretty new to playing chess - I understand the fundamentals and can implement some of the basic ideas like forks and pins, but have never properly learned how to play. I'm looking for a ...
- 51
2
votes
0
answers
53
views
Please advise which books are about strategy with explanations [duplicate]
I have many books that show openings, endplays, tactics, different puzzle to find best moves, databases with games, articles...
All this stuff shows specific moves, which I have to find by myself.
I ...
3
votes
1
answer
232
views
Opening Theory in Hexagonal Chess?
Is there any opening theory in Glinski's hexagonal chess (rules here)? If so what are some standard openings?
- 94.5k
1
vote
0
answers
105
views
Is white winning in chess with the 1st and 8th ranks reversed?
Here is the position I am referring to:
[FEN "RNBQKBNR/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/rnbqkbnr w - - 0 1"]
It seems that there are no forced checkmates for white, any f3-Qh4# plans are thwarted ...
- 505
7
votes
2
answers
355
views
Chess960 - can Black profit by being allowed to choose a custom setup?
In Chess960, the White position is mirrored. In some positions, White enjoys a larger first-move advantage than in standard chess.
Could we make Chess960 fairer by allowing Black to choose his setup (...
- 6,010
0
votes
1
answer
87
views
Most advantageous starting position in chess [duplicate]
What is the most advantageous starting position in chess for White?
All Chess960 positions are known to be roughly equal (the standard chess position being one of the fairest starting positions; in ...
- 6,010
1
vote
1
answer
201
views
How to study highly theoretical openings like the Najdorf, the Grünfeld, or the Ruy Lopez
So I'm probably not at the stage where I'm ready to do this yet, but I'm curious. I know that some openings (like the Najdorf, the Grünfeld, and the Ruy Lopez) are considered highly theoretical ...
- 139
38
votes
5
answers
10k
views
What do modern chess players understand about the game that previous generations did not?
In an interview, Garry Kasparow stated that each generation of chess players knows more about the game than the previous one. He applies this thought concretely to the question of who is better - him ...
- 687
5
votes
1
answer
503
views
What is the idea behind the Nd7 Nb6 by black maneuver in the King's Indian Defence?
I have seen this idea often and want to know the idea behind it.
White can create a doubled pawn weakness on b7 and b6 by doing Bxb6, but then would black have control over f4 and also c5? (unless ...
- 2,348
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What are some good "club-player" Sicilians?
My criteria for good "club-player" openings are:
objectively good
as little memorization is needed as possible
forgetting theory / messing up move orders / playing mediocre moves won't kill ...
- 6,010
3
votes
3
answers
648
views
Estimation of "God's Elo"
Assume a 32-piece tablebase would exist. It would be a Chess God. Surely there have been estimations of its ELO?
According to the very related question, two problems arise:
a) At any point the ...
- 15.5k
5
votes
1
answer
167
views
Why not e3 instead of e4 in Grunfeld Russian system?
In the position below White continues with e4 after, say, Black castles. grunfeld-defense:
[FEN ""]
[StartPly "10"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4
...
user13438
7
votes
7
answers
3k
views
How to learn endgame theory
Related: How to improve on the early endgame?
How exactly do I study or learn endgame theory? Is it just memorizing certain positions that are quite common and knowing how to attack and counter?
- 1,123
2
votes
3
answers
276
views
Does chess intuition take over when you can't see all of the moves ahead? What does chess intuition look like?
This is a broad question about intuition and chess.
I imagine that there is a limit to how far ahead even the best chess masters can see into the future, and how far they can stretch their memory. ...
- 31
4
votes
1
answer
257
views
How do super-GMs, with the white pieces, avoid drawish positions?
I'm an amateur, so I don't have too much knowledge of contemporary opening theory, especially now that engine analysis allows frequent innovation.
But I would like to ask the following:
If two super-...
- 795
3
votes
1
answer
998
views
d3 lines of Ruy Lopez vs. Italian
I haven't played the Ruy Lopez at all but I am curious about how it compares to the Italian. I've heard that one reason the Ruy is supposedly better is because White has an easier time playing d4 in ...
- 1,967
3
votes
1
answer
488
views
Three Knights vs one Queen, which is better?
Suppose the end game contains three knights and king only for white, and one queen and king only for black. Which side is considered to be in a stronger position?
Value-wise, the knights are worth 9 ...
- 149
10
votes
1
answer
699
views
Is this theoretical novelty double-piece sacrifice actually sound?
Working my way through Hannes Langrock's book on the modern Morra Gambit (second edition), I came across an interesting sacrifice that he believes is at best worth a draw. Indeed that's also Stockfish'...
- 557
1
vote
1
answer
474
views
Sharp lines in the QGD, for black?
As a 1.e4 player who deeply enjoys sharp lines and studying/memorizing openings, I have always struggled with responding to 1.d4 since it leads to slow positional lines which usually have multiple ...
- 940
10
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Is there a mathematical theorem that you can use to win a chess endgame?
Have mathematicians created any theorem that determines the outcome of a endgame? If so, how could it be used to win a specific endgame?
user26887
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why is this position in the 3.d4 d5 Petroff equal?
I'm trying to learn some theory about the Petroff and was reading about the 3.d4 d5 sideline. Eventually, the position below is reached.
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 d5 4.exd5 exd4 5.Qxd4 ...
- 477
1
vote
1
answer
131
views
Is it computationally feasible to find a board with proven outcome, reachable in 2 plies?
As is well known, neither the 0-ply game, the starting state, nor 1-ply games, all of white's first moves, have rigorously proven outcomes. Not even first moves for white considered very bad (1. g4) ...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Before Qe6 in game 6 of the 2021 World Chess Championship, was it really a draw?
In game 6 of the World Championship 2021 between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi, before Qe6 the engine says +0.9 at around depth 30/99, but I heard supposedly it's a (theoretical) draw. I know ...
- 1
-2
votes
1
answer
253
views
"Strong ICCF players" What is your input into the game? [duplicate]
This question is directed to the experienced ICCF players. My question is basically what is the input that the human player has into the game. I was just wondering because with the use opening books, ...
- 2,168
14
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What are the advantages of keeping the identity of a second secret?
At the top levels of chess the identity of the coach/assistant is sometimes kept secret.
What are the advantage(s) of this?
I found:
That mystery [second] turned out to be the intensely creative ...
- 2,087
5
votes
2
answers
341
views
Could you recommend me game collection books of attacking players?
I have found a lack of aggression in my style and I want to study aggressive players' games to develop my style. Please recommend books that fulfill this purpose. I am an advanced player.
- 101
5
votes
1
answer
153
views
How feasible is 7.Qa4+ in this Ponziani sideline?
Recently I played a game with a fairly standard Ponziani opening when something slightly interesting occurred. The game started as thus:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 Nxe4 5.d5 ...
- 477
1
vote
1
answer
208
views
Why is 3...g6 the main line of the Pirc Defense?
I admit that I've only started taking chess seriously in the past few months, but I'm having some trouble wrapping my head around this bit of theory. To be crystal clear, when I refer to the Pirc ...
- 477
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is the longest possible forced checkmate sequence?
As title says. My question is about legal positions (positions which could be reached in actual games), but if there is a known solution with an illegal position to start the sequence, I'd be ...
- 151
2
votes
2
answers
282
views
Marshall Defense transposition to Gruenfeld
Can this move order be considered a good surprise weapon against 1.d4 players since the Marshall Defense is known to be dubious and now black is trying to transpose it to a Gruenfeld. From my ...
- 2,348
2
votes
1
answer
177
views
Is it possible to measure play strength by analysing games of a player?
I am thinking on a way, most ideally on a software tool, what could get one of more games of a player, analise them, and gives an estimate on his play strength (as Elo/Glicko rating).
Is it possible? ...
- 135
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the the idea behind this popular double pawn sacrifice line In the Evans Gambit?
I am learning a bit of Evans Gambit theory lately, and when exploring a Master level games database, I have found this surprising
line.
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. ...
- 301
21
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Definition of "theoretical" in chess context
I am a novice who has only picked up my first chess book recently. I want to study some common opening positions, and pick a line to go with & practice for the time being.
While investigating the ...
- 313
2
votes
2
answers
354
views
Will games be perfect, and most likely a draw, if both players get infinite time?
I have played a lot of chess games. The thing that always bothered me was that bloody clock. It looks as if the game is a game about who can think the fastest and it makes one nervous. Now, I know it'...
2
votes
1
answer
286
views
Do main lines score significantly better?
Even at highest levels players make significant, but human, mistakes. On the other hand there exists a great amount of opening theory, with lines studied in depth, especially the mainlines. Isn't the ...
- 29
7
votes
2
answers
428
views
As a Closed Sicilian player, is it impossible to avoid the Taimanov Variation without accepting an inferior position?
I'm a Closed Sicilian player and I like the setup with Nc3/g3/Bg2/d3 a lot for White, since it cuts out having to learn tons of theory I'd have to know otherwise against the Open Sicilian. However, I ...
- 1,967
9
votes
2
answers
492
views
Depth vs breadth of opening knowledge
When searching the web about how people learn about chess openings, I see many questions regarding the depth of the opening knowledge one has (with answers such as "I know some lines 20 moves ...
- 113
2
votes
3
answers
501
views
Why is 1.g3 so much less common than the main opening moves?
1.g3 is by some databases one of the most successful opening moves, yet it is also much rarer than 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4 and 1.Nf3. Why?
Related: Why do masters open 1.d4 more often than 1.c4? and Why is 1....
- 26.1k
6
votes
1
answer
611
views
Can a 2000 Elo rated player teach me middlegame play properly?
I have reached 2500 in the chess.com tactics trainer while I haven't study theory and my FIDE rating is 1637 (I reached 1930 in rapids a year in France).
I want to study with a coach and there is one ...
user27142
5
votes
2
answers
958
views
Franco-Sicilian Defense Theory [duplicate]
I am wondering what the main lines and point of the Franco-Sicilian Defense are for Black. I could barely find any theory about it online, and it' is my favorite opening as Black. As such, I am ...
- 51