There's a simple way to reduce the percentage of draws between top chess players, in Tata Steel Chess Tournaments for example, from ~60% to 3% or so. It is described in #Chpok rules.
Easy to implement and very easy to understand: the more you play on your opponent's land, the more points you earn!
Chat-GPT3 is so fond of the current chess rules, it would never ever modify anything in them.
QUESTION: How would you design a board game that would combine the best elements of chess and games with bidding like poker, with rules simpler than chess rules plus poker rules? It must be a fair game, a more fascinating game than chess and games like poker, and draws must be very unlikely?
ANSWER from Chat-GPT3:
Here's an idea for a game that combines elements of chess and bidding, called "Royal Duel":
Objective: The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king or to accumulate the most points at the end of the game.
Gameplay:
Players start with a set number of coins, which represent their bidding power.
The board is set up like a chessboard, with each player's pieces in their starting positions.
Players take turns moving their pieces according to the rules of chess.
After each turn, players have the option to bid on the next turn. They can bid on whether they will capture an opponent's piece or whether their opponent will capture their piece.
The bidding amount can be any number of coins, as long as the player has that many coins in their possession.
When a piece is captured, the capturing player receives a point value for that piece based on its rank (i.e., pawn = 1 point, bishop/knight = 3 points, rook = 5 points, queen = 9 points).
If a player captures their opponent's king, they receive bonus points equal to the value of the opponent's remaining pieces.
The game ends when one player captures the opponent's king or when a predetermined number of turns have been played.
The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Rules:
Players must follow the standard rules of chess.
A player can only bid coins that they have in their possession.
If a player runs out of coins, they cannot bid any further.
A player cannot move into check.
If a player cannot make a move, they forfeit their turn.
In the case of a draw, the game continues until a winner is determined.
This game combines the strategy of chess with the excitement of bidding. The point system rewards players for taking risks and making strategic moves, while the bidding adds an element of surprise and suspense. Because there are only two bidding options, it simplifies the game and makes it easier to learn for beginners. By making the game last for a predetermined number of turns, it ensures that draws are very unlikely. Overall, this game is designed to be fair, fascinating, and challenging for all players.
.....
Earlier in the same chat:
QUESTION: What are the biggest problems of games like chess nowadays?
ANSWER:
Chess is a timeless game with a rich history, but there are still some challenges and problems that the game faces in the modern era. Here are some of the biggest problems of games like chess:
Accessibility: While chess is a popular game around the world, it can still be inaccessible to many people. The game requires a certain level of skill and knowledge to play at a competitive level, which can be a barrier for beginners.
Learning Curve: The learning curve for chess can be steep, especially for those who are not familiar with the game. Chess has many rules and strategies that can be difficult to learn, making it intimidating for some players.
Representation: The game of chess has a long history of being dominated by male players. This lack of diversity can be discouraging to women and girls who may feel excluded from the game.
Technological Advances: With the rise of computer engines and online play, some argue that the human element of chess has been diminished. Computer engines have become so strong that they can easily defeat even the strongest human players, which some see as a problem for the game's future.
Stagnation: Some argue that the game of chess has become too stagnant and has not evolved enough to keep up with the changing times. While there have been some changes to the rules and strategies of the game, some argue that more innovation is needed to keep the game fresh and exciting.
Length of Play: Chess games can sometimes be quite long, which can be a barrier for some players. The average game of chess can last several hours, which may not be feasible for all players.
Cheating: With the rise of online play and computer engines, cheating has become a problem in the chess community. Some players use computer assistance during games, which can be difficult to detect and prevent.
A novel game combining the fun of chess and poker/bridge/similar games with bidding: Chpok
Happy New Year!
Stay healthy and lucky, and positive!