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beb · Apr 19, 2005, 10:12 AM

[FONT=Arial Black]How many opening moves are in Chess? Thanks for the info![/FONT]

Ω · Apr 19, 2005, 10:25 AM

My guess is 20.

You have the 8 pawns who can either move 1 or 2 squares or the "horsey's" who each have two options.

Thorin · Apr 19, 2005, 10:27 AM

20 I think. My working:

Each pawn can be moved one square, or two squares forwards, there are 8 pawns, so that's 16 possible moves.
Each knight can be moved either forwards and to the left, or forwards and to the right, there are two knights, so that's another 4 moves. 16+4=20.

beb · Apr 19, 2005, 10:33 AM

Thanks!

Oisín · 10:42 AM

20? Really? I suppose this differs from Danish, then: We only have one opening move. Every move that's made after the first player has made his first move is not an opening move, it's just a move

Edit: I'm an idiot who doesn't know how to read. So sue me. Ignore this post.

Ω · Apr 19, 2005, 10:43 AM

You Danish are cawazy!

EDIT: Now I have to edit because the crazy Dane did an edit

Thorin · Apr 19, 2005, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by beb

Thanks!

Why did you want to know?

Randman · Apr 19, 2005, 01:10 PM

Technically, there's only 1 opening move in chess. But you have 20 options on where to make that opening move.

invisibleX · Apr 19, 2005, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Randman

Technically, there's only 1 opening move in chess. But you have 20 options on where to make that opening move.

With the knights, wouldn't that make three?

Randman · Apr 19, 2005, 01:28 PM

No, the first person makes an opening move. Then it's the next guy's turn. Doesn't matter which piece you move, or where you move it to. It's only 1 move.

invisibleX · Apr 19, 2005, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Randman

No, the first person makes an opening move. Then it's the next guy's turn. Doesn't matter which piece you move, or where you move it to. It's only 1 move.

I believe the correct question then would be "how many possible opening moves are there?".

Randman · Apr 19, 2005, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by invisibleX

I believe the correct question then would be "how many possible opening moves are there?".

20 then. But in case it's a bar bet, he's covered both ways.

Randman · Apr 19, 2005, 02:23 PM

edit: Now that I think about it, wouldn't it be 21 possible opening moves? Doesn't the player have the right to retire at any time, even at the beginning of the game (though it wouldn't make much sense to do so)?

SVass · Apr 19, 2005, 02:28 PM

Actually, you are are all wrong! Since either Black or White can make the first move, there are 40 possible different opening moves. Accepting one as an answer would be like accepting (1 at an angle of 120 degrees) as a cube root of 1 without identifying your number system as part of the question. Incomplete and inaccurate questions are commonly included in multiple choice tests which is why "correct answers" are determined from the one most commonly selected by "intelligent" testees. sam

Randman · Apr 19, 2005, 02:36 PM

In that case, it's 41. Ha!

Fyre4ce · Apr 19, 2005, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Randman

edit: Now that I think about it, wouldn't it be 21 possible opening moves? Doesn't the player have the right to retire at any time, even at the beginning of the game (though it wouldn't make much sense to do so)?

I don't know if I'd consider resigning a "move" - as a former chess player, a "move" to me means when one of the pieces moves. By your logic, pulling out your .357 Magnum and shooting your opponent between the eyes would also be a possible first "move" - and would have the added benefit of preventing a loss.

But we are arguing about linguistics here.

Fyre4ce · Apr 19, 2005, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by SVass

Actually, you are are all wrong! Since either Black or White can make the first move, there are 40 possible different opening moves. Accepting one as an answer would be like accepting (1 at an angle of 120 degrees) as a cube root of 1 without identifying your number system as part of the question. Incomplete and inaccurate questions are commonly included in multiple choice tests which is why "correct answers" are determined from the one most commonly selected by "intelligent" testees. sam

I don't think black can move first...

invisibleX · Apr 19, 2005, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by SVass

Actually, you are are all wrong! Since either Black or White can make the first move, there are 40 possible different opening moves. Accepting one as an answer would be like accepting (1 at an angle of 120 degrees) as a cube root of 1 without identifying your number system as part of the question. Incomplete and inaccurate questions are commonly included in multiple choice tests which is why "correct answers" are determined from the one most commonly selected by "intelligent" testees. sam

Of course traditionally white moves first. As well since its a two player game only half of the total moves are actually possible.

misc · Apr 19, 2005, 03:40 PM

20. It was a question on Jeopardy the other night and Alex is never wrong!

beb · Apr 19, 2005, 03:59 PM

Was working on a project and needed the info. The OS X Chess program should really consider letting me win every once in a while. Then again I'm terrible at Chess.

SVass · Apr 19, 2005, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Randman

edit: Now that I think about it, wouldn't it be 21 possible opening moves? Doesn't the player have the right to retire at any time, even at the beginning of the game (though it wouldn't make much sense to do so)?

A few years ago, a chess master was accused of deliberately losing a match in order to help his fellow countryman win the tournament that they were in. So actually it would make sense to intentionally lose. Round robin tournament scoring can be complex. sam