Fair-Chess
Having been interested in chess for two decades now, i designed a chess variant in which opening knowledge is not important anymore. And to make it a more Fair game between players of different playing ability, a devised a handicap system which will make playing more fun for both sides, both the weaker and the stronger player. It will result in longer games, more practice in middle game and endgames, and will be much more fun. Such a 'handicap' method is common in e.g. the (physical) game of golf, the board game Go, but it has never been worked out properly for Chess. Until NOW .. ! And it will have great educational value, playing will be much more fun for beginners, children, and so on; also advanced players will like it because it requires less memorization of opening theory and will lead to longer games, with more practice of the endgame. It is based on the old idea that the stronger player can play with a penalty, by missing a pawn, a certain piece, or a combination thereof. NB this new game Fairy-Chess should not to be confused with 'Fair*y*-chess' which is a completely different kind of chess (puzzle)game. Our new game of *Fair*-*Chess* will be completely similar to normal chess, except with a 'status' rating system instead of 'Elo'. Besides that, later so-called randomized 'Fischer-random' setups could be added as additional option), but then also with pawn or piece handicaps depending on rating differences between B & W of-course...
Setup
If two players (playing over the board, or theoretically also online possibly via server) have equal chess ability (which will be reflected in their 'status' e.g. pawn, knight, and so on) then the White player will have one pawn less in the initial setup (to compensate for the white advantage). And if the (old)rating is e.g. 100 rating points different, or one 'pawn'in status) then the Black player may have one pawn less in the initial setup. For the rest an estimated rating difference is in the used in setup the initial positions with less material for the better player, with about seven different choices (rating difference from 100 to about 800)!! At higher levels of play (higher ratings, or longer time controls), the indicated rating differences for the various handicap setups in this game become bigger. So whereas a knight less is possible for a player with about 150 higher rating against a beginner, at advanced level (A rating players, or about 1850), this would correspond to a rating difference of maybe 400 or 500. So we envisage a more advanced rating algorithm in future versions (non-zillions version). In such a way the game can also be used on chess servers (or via I-phone or android apps or so) whereby the stronger player will be rewarded after the normal rating calculation for having playing with a certain penalty, thus keeping his original higher rating. Just liked to name this game after normal chess, but with additions, making it a more equal/social/fair game for players at different playing and make it possible to have more enjoyment in chess when playing between opponents of different playing strength (normally if a beginner plays against a strong chess player, he almost always will lose the game) . Thus it indeed becomes a more 'fair' game because in some ways it can't be considered very fair if a player who has more knowledge of a game, but isn't much smarter, always wins such a game. It also in such a way can be used on chess servers, whereby the stronger player will be rewarded after the normal rating calculation for having playing with a certain penalty, thus keeping his original higher rating.
Pieces
Same as in normal chess, except that the stronger side will be missing one or more pawns, and/or a piece.
Rules
The same , that is, identical as in normal chess. Except a different board setup at the start. Playing Strategy: same as in normal chess; however when the opponent is missing lots of pawns, or a pawn tactics can be totally different, and there will be opportunities for king attacks. Tip: if you are a lot weaker, and your opponent is missing a piece: try to exchange lots of pieces, and achieve a winning endgame; at least you will get lots of opportunities for endgame practice!
Notes
The idea behind this game will be clear when playing, there now are two versions, home player or club-player. With the zillions engine estimated between 1900 or 2000 the human player can quickly set the subvariant needed, and then use the game 'Fair-chess' as a training tool for 'normal' chess.
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By Janevert Kaan.
Web page created: 2014-08-13. Web page last updated: 2014-08-13