"Fisher Random has Massive Potential!"
Magnus Carlsen, November 2022
This weekend, not only the Mill Hill Congress but also a 1 day rapid on Saturday.
Challenge yourself against multiple GMs and IMs with zero opening theory needed this Saturday!! (Held alongside the two day chess congress at Mill Hill)
Join the super strong first London Fischer Random (AKA Chess 960) Chess tournament Here! Full Entrant list is Here.
1st £200, 2nd £150, 3rd £100
Entry £30
Venue: Copthall School, NW7 2EP, on 25th February.
Plus get your first ever chess960 rating! FIDE Rapid Ratings will be used as Starting Ratings.
Round times as follows : 10h30, 11h45, 13h00, 14h15, 15h30, 16h45.
There will only be one section running and all abilities are extremely welcome.
See you there! Here is a full explanation of what to expect!
What is Chess960 or Fischer Random chess?
Chess960, also known as Fischer Random chess, is a variant of chess that was invented by former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer. In Chess960, the starting positions of the pieces on the back rank are randomized, with the only restriction being that the bishops must be placed on opposite-colored squares. The goal of the game is the same as standard chess: to checkmate your opponent's king. The random starting positions lead to more varied and less predictable openings, encouraging creativity and strategic thinking.
Why is it called chess 960?
It is called Chess960 because there are 960 possible starting positions in this variant of chess. This is calculated by considering the number of ways each piece can be placed on the first rank, and then multiplying the number of possibilities for each piece by each other. In Chess960, the bishops, knights, and rooks have multiple possible starting squares, while the king and queen must start in certain positions for the game to be fair. The 960 possible starting positions give rise to a nearly endless variety of unique chess games.
In Chess960, the starting positions of the pieces on the back rank are randomized, with the only restriction being that the bishops must be placed on opposite-colored squares. The goal of the game is the same as standard chess: to checkmate your opponent's king. The random starting positions lead to more varied and less predictable openings, encouraging creativity and strategic thinking.
Who plays this form of chess? is it popular?
Chess960 is not as widely played as standard chess, but it has a dedicated following of players who enjoy the added challenge and variety that the randomized starting positions bring to the game. Some top chess players, including former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, have expressed interest in and support for the variant. Chess960 has also been used as a form of chess in several high-profile tournaments and exhibitions, helping to raise its profile and popularity. However, standard chess remains the dominant form of the game, and Chess960 remains a niche variant.
He's right.