Add Capablanca chess to chess.com?

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RhysViking

Yes I agree with PsychologicalChess, surely it would inject the game of chess with a bit more dimension and depth, as it can get quite too familiar, whereas a game with two extra pieces and two extra pawns over a bigger board is going to create a lot more potential for inovation and novel positions. Just my thoughts anyway. I'd certainly play it on this site, put it that way.

RhysViking

Interesting, yet very strange comments from Long_quach here....... For a start, making a point or an analogy by comparing any board game, from chess to monopoly to; boxing, the period table, body building exercises, the five primary colours, standardised house building, car manufacture and how things taste, does not seem in any way applicable to considering how Capablanca Chess compares with traditional Chess. Also, in comparing chess to all of these other things, which in themselves also seem to have little actually in common with each other, is again an odd way of making any rational point. I concede that whilst boxing does employ some combative tactics, the others do not all.  

 

More applicable and constructive is perhaps saying “In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack--the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.” And, “The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn. It is like moving in a circle--you never come to an end. Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combination?”

 

Hmmmmm, lets consider these points which seem to be far more relevant. Firstly, saying that there are only two methods of attack, direct and indirect, which cannot be effectively combined makes no sense. I see no reason why they can’t be combined to great effect, and if you were to look at something like the Napoleonic Wars, yes these methods of attack were combined, and yes this did lead to a lot of manoeuvring, but was it endless, well no. Battles and campaigns throughout history are very complex and difficult with numerous logistical elements that have to be considered. I would argue that if chess is to be compared to anything, then military campaigns in history are a far better analogy. If anything, Capablanca chess would be more reflective of the complexities of such war strategies, so in that sense it would be better.

 

Secondly, saying that a game of Capablanca chess would be like moving in a circle and never come to end, makes no sense. Like any game of Chess, with ever increasing moves, the board changes, pieces would be lost and control of the board would also change, that it is inevitable. As for exhausting the possibilities and combinations of Chess, why would you want to, that’s not the object of the game even! That is precisely what appeals about the game of Chess! Even in traditional chess, the possible combination of moves is practically infinite already, so the addition of each side having two extra pieces and two pawns, would make no material difference (for human players anyway) whatsoever in that respect.

 

If Capablanca chess does have any problems, and maybe this is what Long_quach was trying to get at, it could potentially lead to much longer games of chess (personally I like that idea, but of course not everyone will). But again, some players play games over numerous hours and sometimes even days, so it would be suitable for those players. What does trouble me about Capablanca Chess, is how established openings, like King’s Queen’s openings would have to be modified. I am sure they could be, but this would take time and experimentation to get the sequences of moves for optimum effect. I think it would also take some time to get used to the strengths and weaknesses of the new pieces and how they would interact with the other pieces. Personally, I feel intrigued by these challenges, not put off or intimidated.

 

In conclusion, would Capablanca Chess be more complicated and lead to longer games, yes probably. Would it be worth playing and be enjoyable, even more probable, yes.   

Nordlandia

Capablanca Chess was promoted 100 years ago and it didn't catch. Is is possible that 100 years later it will catch on if it is merged into a popular chess server ?

RhysViking

Yeah, who knows, perhaps if Capablanca Chess had a good publicity and promotion campaign, it might become more popular. Capablanca chess sets have recently become available as well. Traditional Chess does have the clear advantage of being more accessible and easier to learn though. But for old veteran chess players, there might be a market there.

 

Nordlandia

Ed Trice have tried to popularize Gothic Chess during the 2000s and up to the present day. Trice sells plastic and wooden sets. My impression is that it is difficult to make it popular when most  chess players have tendencies to show resistance to chess variants @RhyViking

RhysViking

I am puzzled by the resistance to be honest, especially when you consider how well embraced the myriad of variants there are with Risk and Monopoly for Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Star Wars etc. And to be fair, Capablanca is not that much of a departure from traditional Chess. It is still very recognizable as a Chess and even the new pieces are only a combination of pieces everyone is already familiar with. I guess it must be that human nature to resist anything new and change. Personally, I think it would be better promoted from the stand point of not trying to change Chess, but to promote Capablanca as a different game based on Chess. Really, I don’t think anyone has anything to be worried about or to be resistant to. People who would enjoy Capablanca would still play traditional chess. Also, one thing that I believe many people have not considered is this. When you play Pool on a standard table, then have a few games of snooker on the much larger table, when you then go back to playing Pool on the much smaller table, your ability to pot balls on the smaller table has improved greatly. This is probably the case also with chess. As Capablanca would be a more complex game, it would likely improve your game in traditional chess when you went back to it. Interesting notion, yes? I suspect many of the more ambitious Chess players have not considered this.  

Nordlandia

I think it would have been exciting to observe grandmasters playing more complex forms of chess. As if they were not good enough in normal chess, then they can really sharpen their skills in Capablanca Chess.  But it seems their pride is too great for that. Bring them Capablanca Chess and they have to think from move one.

 
Nkai20

It looks good, mutant horseys and all. I'm in

GMKronicon

why not make a board with 10 pawns 2 extra pieces like mage and dragon this could be the ultimate chess game what do you think.

Nkai20

Sounds good, but only if you can get the Lionheart before disc 1, and then spam Knights of the Round

keksique

yes please, this would be very nice. Not for professionals probably, but for attracting new audiences.

likebox

Please add Capablanca/Gothic chess. The Gothic configuration just makes sure there is no undefended pawn in the starting position. This is by far the best variant, it is harder for computers than regular chess, the attacking potential is endless, openings are complicated, unbalanced positions are often a race-to-mate, and the game is otherwise similar to ordinary chess.

Coruga

It would be great if Capablanca Chess was added. Gothic Chess, an "improvement" of Capablanca Chess is already on Chess.com and it's great in its own right, but what could be better than having the original "new Chess" created by the greatest player of all time? 

Coruga

While Chess960 or FischerRandom is a great creative idea with a plethora of new options to consider, it demands creativity in the opening by basically throwing all opening theory out the window, but that's it. After the opening, the game is the same. With Capablanca Chess, you get the Chess we all know, with the same starting position of pieces, but with two new additions. (And a bigger board) An entirely new game theory would have to be devised, not just the opening. It would be a far more complex game, which would practically eliminate the phenomenon of "draw death". 

BrownCat38

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/34897289533

coolawesomebee

Yes please add Capablanca chess

PetarSkorup

I would like they add Capablanca’s version of chess as an option as they did Fischer’s and 4 players chess and king of the hill and the rest of the versions

Eryk360

Yeah ! It would be a great idea grin