SUPERCHESS

Article type: Research Article

Authors: van Haeringen, H.^{a; 1} | van den Herik, H. J.^{b; 2}

Affiliations: [a] Delft, The Netherlands | [b] Maastricht, The Netherlands

Note: [1] Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Dept. AMA, Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands; Rommesingel 42, 2641 VJ Pijnacker, The Netherlands. Email: [email protected]. Websites: www.superchess.nl and www.superschaak.nl.

Note: [2] IKAT, Universiteit Maastricht, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. Email: [email protected].

Abstract: Superchess is a natural and flexible extension of chess. It contains additional pieces which results in additional possibilities in game playing. One of the advantages definitely is that (so far) theoretical knowledge, in particular of the opening phase, is subaltern. Until now chess is one of the most satisfying and successful thinking games in the world of games. To some extent the chess pieces and their movements are chosen in an arbitrary process of historical development; the same holds for the initial position of the pieces on the board. In chess different pieces have different movements. This observation may lead to the scientifically intriguing question of the optimality of chess. Can we imagine chess-like games that are equally well or even more satisfying than chess? If the answer is affirmative, then the question arises, how can we determine such games? The note briefly discusses various aspects of optimal games and possible modifications of chess. In particular, the benefits of superchess are advocated: new pieces possessing new movements in combination with (a part of) the generally accepted chess pieces. The new movements introduce fascinating new tactical combinations, whereas the character of chess is essentially preserved. Opening theory plays no role in practice because of the large number of different initial positions. The players’ freedom to select a different set of pieces in each new game constitutes another appealing feature. Finally, the most challenging task is, of course, to transform the current chess-playing programs into superchess-playing programs of considerable strength.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2003-26404

Journal: ICGA Journal, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 239-250, 2003