My brilliant idea

We've all heard so many times that there are more possible chess positions than there are atoms in the universe.

Now, here's the thing. Every position has it's own unique FEN string that identifies it. That's one helluva lot of FEN strings.

Now, every FEN string has 2 spaces allocated to identify the en passant square, in algebraic notation. But, think about it, you actually need only the file, not the rank. For White the rank is alawys 6, for Black it's alway 3. We're wasting gazillions of extra characters in FEN strings! This represents skyscrapers full of harddrives!

I think we should start a movement to cut out these extra allocated spaces. If I wasn't so upset, I'd start a group. Or something....

Yes. It is a brilliant idea and should be implemented immediately. Create the petition and I will sign it.

You may go down in history & be remembered as "The Great FEN Reformist".

Great idea for the eighties, when every byte was precious.

If this reform were implemented all of the chess gui's now in existence would have to change.  Not everyone has such gui's but those of us who do have 2 or 3 or maybe more. Think of all the time and effort it would take to make these changes. So this idea, while clever, just would not be worth the time to implement. 

You're a glass-half-empty kinda guy, aren;t you, dr Frank?

You have found the Y2K bug of chess.

FENomenal idea!

No wonder my pc is so slow.