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GGChess – The True Power of Chess

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PawnToD4
PawnToD4
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Aug 5, 2024
0
#1
GGChess is a chess variant that distills the true essence and power of chess. It does away with theory like Chess960 but pushes play to the limits by giving players a new kind of arsenal.
 
 
How It Works
 
  1. Board, pieces, time controls, and mechanics are the same as regular chess
  2. At the start of the game, each player chooses a position from the 960 starting positions in Chess960 (https://chess960.net/start-positions/). The players' choices are hidden from everyone except that player
    • GGChess starting positions (let's call them "starts") are numbered according to this chess960.net reference, so for example, start #258 would be wbwnwrwkwnwbwqwr
    • I propose start #3 be called "The GG": wbwqwnwnwrwkwrwb
  3. (Optional) A time limit may be imposed on how long the players can make their selection. For example, players may be given 30 seconds to choose their starting positions, after which a random start will be selected for them
  4. Once both players have selected a start, their choices are revealed and the pieces are set up accordingly
  5. (Optional) A prep period may be given to both players to observe and analyze the board. For example, once the starts are revealed, players may be given 30 seconds before beginning play
  6. Play proceeds as in regular Chess960
Start #3 (The GG) for White vs Start #258 for Black
 
 
 
Why Play GGChess?
 
There is freshness, new ideas, and excitement in every game of GGChess. Instead of starting from any of 960 positions, we are faced with 921,600 possibilities! This pushes the envelope in terms of chess creativity, understanding, and most of all, enjoyment.
 
 
When you play GGChess, everything will be fresh and largely unexplored. GGChess has all the advantages of Chess960 while bringing something else to the table – the ability to build up your (virtually theory-proof) arsenal. Do you think there's an ideal chess starting position for you, with which you can stand your ground against anyone? Or maybe you want bishops in the corners so you can extend their power later in the game? Find that position, or the closest Chess960 position to it, and adopt it as your Weapon No. 1 in GGChess. Or master two or three other starting positions and keep your opponents guessing!
 
 
But won't the matches be uneven, given that some positions have a better score than others? That is true – there are GGChess games that start off favoring one side over the other because of their chosen positions. And that is the beauty of it – prove your advantage, or overcome your disadvantage!
 
 
For example, below is a partial game with The GG(W) vs start #258(B). This is a chess.com analysis "game" with Stockfish 16 going to depth 20 at each move, run on a browser.
 

By move 30, white has pressed their advantage and is up by about +3, and will most likely win.

Here is another game, with start #123(W) vs The GG(B):

This time, black equalized at move 30. The GG seems strong – can you take advantage of it in your games?
 
 
GGChess gives players at all levels a new, fresh experience. Players can also build a different kind of arsenal. Instead of pet openings and memorizing lines of theory, we get to study and understand the strengths and weaknesses of specific starts and how they perform against the ideas or structures of other starts.
 
 
 
Where can I play GGChess?
 
As of now GGChess is only a proposal, mainly because I don't know how to create this variant in chess.com. Additionally, it requires the ability for players to input their starting positions, and modifications to the interface to allow for the selection process (and optional prep period).
 
 
However, GGChess can be played right now as a custom game with a friend as follows:
 
  1. With you as the inviter, go to game set up - https://www.chess.com/play/online
  2. Choose your desired time control (15|10 is a good start)
  3. Click "Standard" then "Custom Position / Odds"
  4. Click "Auto Balance" then "Set Up Position"
  5. Set up the position according to your and your friend's chosen starting positions from the chess960.net starting positions
  6. Click "Load"
  7. Choose your friend from the "Opponent" dropdown
  8. Choose whether you play as black or white
  9. Click "Play" to start!
 
 
Caveats
 
  • I tried to look for this variant online but couldn't find it anywhere as it is defined here
  • I am also aware of the mechanics for submitting chess variants via variants.world but I couldn't find a way to set it up on chess.com
Aserew12phone
Aserew12phone
Sep 18, 2024
0
#2

Pov:everyone chooses classic