Pawn on first move only could be allowed to reverse vertically or diagonally into an emptied square; this could improve defence and pawn re-alignment.

What? On the first move, no square behind a pawn is empty. Or are you saying that pawns should be able to move backwards on any move?

he said the first move of a pawn ,not first move of a game

He actually said the equivocal "first move," rogerwang, though perhaps you're right. Fair enough, but if that's his intention then it might be a long time before any pawn can make a forward move. "Pawn on first move only could be allowed to reverse vertically or diagonally..." To get the center pawns out you would have to spend several moves getting the king and queen out of the way, let the pawns move backwards, then send them out to play.

Meant on pawns own first move; and only then.

????

i don't think it's a good idea

Dim knight, I think you're misreading the idea. I think he means that on the pawns first move only the player would have the option of moving the pawn to any adjacent empty square.

A group of friends might enjoy refining idea for bit of fun.

Defence of a  King or castled position castle would be good example of possibilities

I think it would confuse Magnus Carlsen :)

Would not work on Chess. com site of course at present needs to be OTB

by xqsme

Pawn on first move only could be allowed to reverse vertically or diagonally into an emptied square; this could improve defence and pawn re-alignment.

Even on the very first move a pawn from it's original position 2nd row for white and 7th for black, a pawn can, but does not have to, move 2 squares, so there can be an empy square behind the pawn on the very first move.

Now on the very first move of the game and assuming the player opens a pawn 2 by 2 squares, well there are obviously no diagonal square to move back to, only a vertical one.

What I realy would like to know is: when would this move be allowed?  I ask:

Anytime during the game when I have to play a move, say the 3rd, 7th, 12th etc... move or on the very next move that I have played the pawn and seeing  black response I would elect to go back?

chess is just fine as it is!!!

I like the idea BUT chess is FINE as it is.

ADK

That idea is crazy, but not crazy enough. I'm sorry.

I don't like this idea either. I think that giving pawns more flexibility makes the game more shallow, rather than adding an extra layer of depth.

Thanks for comments- pawns would only be enabled to move move back from 2nd rank to first rank of course and only to square already vacated by a piece.

Anyway not popular and not going to happen any time soon except perhaps privately in some form or other for fun.

It's useless you will never change the rules ! And that is a very bad idea to begin with. :P

You canna change the laws of chess.
1st Law: You canna suggest changing the laws of chess