Evolution of the game

LittleBigHorse

Interesting statistical article about how the game has evolved over the last century and a half

io9.com/how-chess-has-changed-over-the-last-150-years-1707692642

brilliantboy

And predictably the top comment is a non chess player bemoaning the fact that chess is over analysed. Maybe integrating pieces with lasers or a deck of cards with magic spells would make the game more interesting for the i09 crowd?

What I find most curious about the data reported in the article itself is the brief spike to 20+% in the rate of Pirc Defenses in the 1850s.

Morrisseeee

Interesting article.
Quoting Anand:

I think the recent trend is away from openings. In a sense, computers have killed the opening phase.

But is he being a bit short-sighted, what about b4 ?! It's not a popular opening and very little GM's use it, but could something like that be explored, come on Vishy, or is it a case of 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' :pac:
/caveat: I'm no expert and I'm in no position to be telling Vishy what to do !

On evolution of the game, I'd like to see chess spiced up. Example: take the World Champion games, have 2 games where you spice things up, ie. take a piece off the board, let your opponent make 'your' 1st move, re-arrange some pieces, add in a piece etc etc the possibilities are endless.

The reason behind the spicing up is that you get the GM's out of their preparation and they're playing 'real' chess.

IMO I think something like this 'spicing-up' needs to happen if chess is to go to the next level and make it increasingly popular and a global phenomenon.
/end rant from newbie

Valmont

When I started playing chess I was worried about all of these refuted lines, dead openings, and certain draws but at the average club level none of it matters. There is a 1725 at my club who opens almost exclusively with 1.a3 and people play and win with all manner of weird and wonderful openings and gambits.

I stopped worrying when I read an article on chess.com about how Magnus Carlsen always seems to win in 'dead draw' type positions. When all is said and done about comptuers, almost anything can happen when it's just two individuals on the board.

L1m1tless

brilliantboy

Neo_Ninja wrote: »

Descriptive notation :eek:

L1m1tless

Haha yeah. I think it just works better for the jokes "knight to old woman 3"