2017-01-21:
'Everyone I Know Plays Chess960'
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'After an 18-month absence from chess960 blogging, I'm going to return to the subject with a couple of posts every month.'
...Now I'm going back into hibernation, although I won't rule out an occasional post if I have something to say about a subject. Bye for now!
Chess of Christmas Past:
People read books and study so-called opening 'theory', trying to find new moves to spring on unprepared, unsuspecting opponents.
Chess of Christmas Present:
People run powerful chess engines and memorize computer analysis, trying to find new moves to spring on unprepared, unsuspecting opponents.
Chess of Christmas Future:
People play chess960 (or whatever they prefer to call it).
***
Have a Merry Chess960 Christmas! And please drive carefully...
[Images:
AI Comic Factory]
Levon Aronian talks to Anastasiya Karlovich before the start of the 2023 Sinquefield Cup. This aired during round 4.
GM Aronian has been seen many times on this blog. Use the search box in the right navigation bar for earlier references.
Aronian: It Has Happened! Neural Networks Have Killed Classical Chess (8:46) • '[Published on] Nov 25, 2023'
At around 3:50 into the video, the discussion turns to this blog's favorite subject.
Q:
What is your opinion about all these things which are happening in the
chess world right now, on the top especially. With Ding absent,
with Magnus who doesn't want to play that much in classical events --
what is your opinion about everything that is happening, let's say
with a Candidates tournament...
A:
I think the time is slowly coming to a point where it's difficult to
play classical chess because of the openings and the fact that neural
networks became a part of chess and and made studying chess so
much easier. It's very difficult to get a game playing with White.
Therefore I think we're almost reaching the time that I've been
waiting for my whole career when we switch to chess960. I think Magnus
is ready. I think almost everybody is ready for it
Q:
Really? This is what you think is happening?
A:
Yes, it's not much fun because of the openings. I understand that it might
be difficult information for a majority of amateurs, because for them
there is still a lot of meat on the bone, but for professionals, just
showing that you are a better player than an average Grandmaster, is
already very very difficult. You have to hope for -- as they would say
in tennis -- an unforced error, because if you play your best and your
opponent knows the opening there is just no chance for you to win the
game.
Q:
Maybe something like this happened at the Isle of Man where you had
good chances also. Then you played four draws in the last rounds.
Maybe some like this happened there.
A:
Yes, generally that's a problem, because the positions that you get
from the opening -- I mean you dream of getting something that is
playable -- there are actually pieces on the board. It's a bit of a
problem. Maybe people will think I'm pessimistic. A lot of my
colleagues will think I'm actually optimistic.
Q:
So in 10 years we'll have the Sinquefield Cup with chess960?
A:
Oh, I hope. I can't wait.
Q:
This is where you see yourself in 10 years?
A:
I hope I will be fighting. You know it all depends on such factors as
health but so far I can't complain. I love to fight. I love to learn
from young players and it's just a very interesting thing to do.
Chess960: The search for good opening gambits
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I've always been interested in chess960 pawn gambits. At one time a few
years ago I became negative that there were too few opening gambits
available to be...
