I am guessing that pawns aren't supposed to start on the first rank.
Why is this starting position invalid?
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9 hrs ago
0
#3
justbefair wrote:
I am guessing that pawns aren't supposed to start on the first rank.
Why not? Is it because it's programmed in such a way that they must promote, even when they are on their own side? Or something to do with how the double move is programmed? Otherwise I can't see a problem with this.
Or maybe it is because it would be impossible to reach this state in a normal game of chess? But that makes no sense because other similar "impossible" positions are accepted...
Also, why doesn't the warning message include this in the potential reasons why a position is invalid?
8 hrs ago
0
#4
The analysis tool does not support most non-standard positions and pawns on the first rank will certainly fail to work since that is an illegal location for pawns.
8 hrs ago
0
#5
I did some research and it does seem that it's because of a programming limitation, not just "because it's illegal". Because that would be kind of a ridiculous excuse. "Why is it illegal?" "Because it's illegal". I am reminded of American Psycho.
Using that logic, you shouldn't be allowed to put extra pawns down, but you are, because it's a "custom" position. It's in the name. It doesn't matter if it doesn't follow the rules of chess, it's not supposed to.
I found another site who shall not be named that works with this position fine including with stockfish.
When trying to load it into an actual game with the analysis tool, chess.com just says, "Cannot load position because it is invalid. Every position must have exactly one king of each color, and the side to move must not be able to capture the enemy king."
This starting position satisfies both of these rules. Am I missing something?