Is there any theory at all for Chess 960?

Or are you really left to your own resources from the first move?

Hi dily,

I started playing 960 about a yr ago, and i read that the best way to play chess is to play  it like a normal game, after the opening.  Concentrate on center, (which i don't), and to open up pieces path (which can't always happen).  :) I think there is a couple instructions in a forum located at the 960 group's notes.

I have seen a repetition in the beginning openings, so once I g0t the swing of that, I'm not as thrown off by the opening set up.  Watch a couple higher rated ppl play 960, or check out their games, is my suggestion, but then, I'm still a rooky too!   :) have fun, is the bottom line.

Thanks Knight_sky

Sounds like good advice, 1random.  Thanks.

I started to write up some stuff -- you can see my forums -- but I haven't found much time lately. Besides a few other forums on chess.com, I have yet to see other material on 960 play, although I am sure it is out there somewhere... but where?  (Maybe top 960 players do not want to share their secrets!)

Basically, however, I think the challenge is to play well through the opening 12 moves -- learning how best to apply opening principles while at the same time sweating the tactics!  Learning how best to apply opening principles is not easy.  Personally, my goal in recent months has been to avoid all technical errors in the opening 12 moves...  so I have identified, actually given a name, to all errors in my openings, and so maybe half of my most recent openings are error-free.

Also, somewhere I would like to see a serious discussion about applying opening principles in Chess 960. Otherwise, I will probably write something up eventually.

@SaharanKnight: Thanks for your comments, and I did look up your forum posts.  I think I agree with you about Chess 960 being a better test of chess skill than standard chess.  There's no way you can run to a book or an engine to guide your next move.  It has to come from your own brain.

All endgame theory is still valid.

@fastpitchdad: Absolutely!  After playing a bunch of 960 games (as you have), I think that you would say an endgame is an endgame, no matter if it is 960!  The only off-beat situation, perhaps, is if one has a fast-moving game with exchanges and one gets to the endgame with a piece or two still undeveloped.  In that case, I suppose, the endgame will reflect the unique 960 starting position to a degree.