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Very interesting presentation of a previously little-known game. I can't help wondering if the author is an experienced player, possibly a master or grand master, of Mornington Crescent?
The information about the origins of the name Stanley is highly suspect. Stanley as a surname derives from one or more of the several villages of that name, including one in Derbyshire which is in accord with the fact that a Stanley family did indeed become Earls of Derby. Like many aristocratic surnames (Campbell, Cecil, Gordon, Graham, Grant, Howard, Neville, Percy) it only later became a forename, so it is unlikely to have been the name of an eleventh-century pet monkey. On the other hand, Topov IS the name of a monkey, a character in the British 1970s children's programme Pipkin's, so it looks like historical accuracy is not the top priority on the link. I hope that this information (which also helps age me!) helps make up for my ignorance of American children's television!
It must be kept in mind that attempting to verify the historical background of SR Chess will prove very difficult for the amateur. Considering the extent of the Great SR Chess Purge of the mid-19th century, we are fortunate that the game has survived. But for those who are truly interested in the complete origin and rules of SR Chess, simply logon the ISRCA database. You will need a T-1000 modem connection, several tetra-bytes of hard-drive space and the standard full-length Hellsing data-gloves with Universal Sign Language compatible software. Visitors to the database need only use the anonymous password 'giveusakiss' then press the baffing key on your standard Benson flexi-board. Contrary to internet rumors, the ISRCA search engine does not conflict with any existing operating system software.
As an avid SRC player on SchemingMind, I have found Topov's writings to be of immense value. This summary of the game is no exception. The game itself, with its colorful history and creative possibilities, has captured my imagination as no other variant has.
At the very least the rules are smaller than Stanley Taikyoku Shogessilockrothima from which Stanley Random Chess is decended from.
Gregory Topov is a Mornington Cresent player.http://www.geocities.com/verdrahciretop/mc1.html
Stanley Taikyoku Shogessilockrothima is certainly not a precursor of Stanley Random, as has been alleged, but is merely a localized variant of the game, popular among the Chinese and Japanese immigrant communities in modern Greece. It appears to have incorporated influences from Shogi (Japanese Chess), which accounts for the fact that this variant has even more rules than pure Stanley Random Chess.
In response to Mr. Charles Gilman: It has to be admitted that the historical assertions that attribute the name Stanley to William the Conqueror's pet monkey are controversial, and may yet be refuted by subsequent scholarship. The claim is a radical one, but it appears to be corroborated by the evidence from the recently discovered ship logs which recount William's arrival in Pevensy Bay on August 28, 1066. Unfortunately these logs are still pending verification by the archival departments of the British Museum and the Royal Historical Society, and have not yet been released for public scrutiny. For now at any rate, the obvious explanation appears to be the best one, despite no earlier documentated instances of the Stanley name.
Perhaps you are thinking of Stanley Taikyoku Shogessilocklothima which is a decendent of SRC but Stanley Taikyoku Shogessilockrothima requires 7 parallel universes on which to set up the board and a time machine so players can go back in time to inform their past selfs whether or not their move will destroy the Multiverse.
I had previously given SR Chess this rating during an open forum discussion. Additionally, I am extending it to this page.
As a Master level player of SRC, I can tell you that it is indeed as demanding and tough as any variant you are likely to play. As for the amount of background material required to play at even a novice level, it dwarfs Standard Chess and requires the assistance of computers for modern play. As I mention this, the 37th Annual SchemindMind Tournament has just opened, so if you are interested in observing, or taking part in some games, now would be an excellant time to do so. http://www.schemingmind.com/minitournament.aspx?tournament_id=335
Many people have denied that this is a joke. Several people have claimed to be active players, and have further claimed that games and tournaments of it have been played on various forums (such as Brainking.) So I'm not convinced that it is purely a joke (although much of the text is obviously intended to be fictional and funny.) But, despite the fact that we have pages and pages of text describing this game, no rule set is actually given. So, I think one of two things needs to happen. If it is, in fact, a real game, then the actual rules need to be posted here, in addition to all the nonsense. Or, these pages should be removed, as they have no place here. If it is a joke that the authors deliberately deny is a joke, for the purpose of laughing at anyone who is fooled, than that is cruel and a clear abuse of the webspace that the editors of this site generously provide largely at their own expense. Or, if it is not a joke, but the rules are 'top secret' then it should also be removed. The message 'I know something that you don't know, and I'm not going to tell you' is also not an appropriate use of the bandwith that is being paid for by others.
Stanley Random Chess gave me a good laugh when i first read about it, and this site needs all the laughs it can get. i personally think it should not be removed. Next thing you will want to remove 'Gridlock' he he.
Pity to the poor soul who actually tries to play this game! Remove it.
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