Demo # 5

There are 256 random starting positions for the pawns.

There are 2 possible starting positions for each pawn and there are 8 files: 2 ^ 8 = 256.

A coin can be used to create the starting position, or

A six sided die can be used: odd is on the side board, even is on the game board.

The best method however is to use a random number generator, most can create all 8 random numbers say zeros and ones in one go.

There is a way to break down the 256 starting positions into 2 blocks.

First the files A to D are read as normal starting from the corner square A1.

Then the files H to E are read backwards starting from the corner square H1.

This means that there are only: 2 ^ 4 = 16 possible patterns when reading from the corner.

The board is split down the middle into 2 halves: 16 x 16 = 256.

You always read the 4 files starting from a corner because a king transfer always lands one square away from the corner on both sides of the board.

Finally there is a way to break it down further into 3 sections.

Flank Files A to C reading normal from A1.

Central Files D to E reading normal from D1.

Flank Files H to F reading backwards from H1.

A to C = 2 ^ 3 = 8.

D to E = 2 ^ 2 = 4.

F to H = 2 ^ 3 = 8.

8 x 4 x 8 = 256.

Same story: split the files into smaller chunks and read flank sections from the corners based on symmetrical king transfers. 

Hey man, how do you make this silly game simple?