transposition...?
Word for an opening that comes about through non-standard move order?
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Nov 7, 2020
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#4
Transposition is more traditionally used for one opening transposing to another opening, not simply flip-flopping move order.
For Example, 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 is not a transposition simply because White inverted moves 1 and 2.
The following are the true meaning of a Transposition:
1.e4 d5 (Scandinavian Defense) 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 c6 (Scandinavian Gambit) 4.d4! (4.dxc6 =/+) cxd5 5.Nc3 is a direct Transposition to the Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack. If Black plays 5...e6 6.Nf3 Bb4, there is a good change another transposition occurs into the Nimzo-Indian Defense! Yes, 1.e4 became a Nimzo-Indian BY TRANSPOSITION!
Another couple of examples come from the English Opening:
1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.O-O O-O 7.d4 d6 is a transposition to the Fianchetto Kings Indian
1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.e4 is a transposition to the Accelerated Dragon - Maroczy Bind.
There are others, but simply flip-flopping the first 2 moves isn't really a transposition by its true definition. A transposition is going from one actual named opening to another, like those shown above. 1.c4 by itself is not an opening. It can become a Reti (Black plays an early d5 without c5 or e5), English (early c5 or e5 by Black), or even 2.d4 would be some kind of QP opening.
What's the chess term for an opening that comes about through non-standard move order?
For example, 1. Nf3 Nc6 2. e4 e5 3. Bb5 is not the standard way to get to the Ruy Lopez. I'm blanking on the term right now for this.