Playing the same position over and over again... • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

Magnus Carlsen recently expressed weariness with standard chess, noting he has encountered the same positions countless times. I anticipated this development years ago and proposed "Relocation variants"—versions where players can rearrange the initial setup themselves.

These variants allow players to optionally relocate their king and/or queen before play begins, while preserving castling rights (rooks remain in their original positions). Players may also choose to keep the standard arrangement. Some variants require mirrored positions between Black and White, while others allow asymmetrical setups.

The resulting positions differ only slightly from traditional chess and would feel natural to most players. I believe this concept offers clear advantages over Fischer Random Chess (Chess960). What are your thoughts on this proposal? Which variant—mirrored or asymmetrical—seems more promising?

"Relocation variants - rearranging the initial array"
http://mlwi.magix.net/bg/relocationvariants.htm

Magnus Carlsen recently expressed weariness with standard chess, noting he has encountered the same positions countless times. I anticipated this development years ago and proposed "Relocation variants"—versions where players can rearrange the initial setup themselves. These variants allow players to optionally relocate their king and/or queen before play begins, while preserving castling rights (rooks remain in their original positions). Players may also choose to keep the standard arrangement. Some variants require mirrored positions between Black and White, while others allow asymmetrical setups. The resulting positions differ only slightly from traditional chess and would feel natural to most players. I believe this concept offers clear advantages over Fischer Random Chess (Chess960). What are your thoughts on this proposal? Which variant—mirrored or asymmetrical—seems more promising? "Relocation variants - rearranging the initial array" http://mlwi.magix.net/bg/relocationvariants.htm

EmaciatedSpaniard

#2

if they feel natural and hardly differ from standard chess, then not much is gained in the boredom category, is there? Fischer Random has generated some interesting tournaments, also locally I am seeing this variant occasionally, and i think its a good development.

Lygodactylus

#3

@EmaciatedSpaniard said in #2:

if they feel natural and hardly differ from standard chess, then not much is gained in the boredom category, is there? Fischer Random has generated some interesting tournaments, also locally I am seeing this variant occasionally, and i think its a good development.

If you change the initial position ever so slightly, it means a completely different game. The opening theory is completely different. In my view, Chess960 produces too many unnatural positions.

@EmaciatedSpaniard said in #2: > if they feel natural and hardly differ from standard chess, then not much is gained in the boredom category, is there? Fischer Random has generated some interesting tournaments, also locally I am seeing this variant occasionally, and i think its a good development. If you change the initial position ever so slightly, it means a completely different game. The opening theory is completely different. In my view, Chess960 produces too many unnatural positions.

lizani

#4

Take a look at Magnus Carlsen's losses at Norway Chess.
They are not coming from 'weariness' he's just making big mistakes. A variant does not solve that problem.

Take a look at Magnus Carlsen's losses at Norway Chess. They are not coming from 'weariness' he's just making big mistakes. A variant does not solve that problem.

Lygodactylus

edited

#5

@lizani said in #4:

Take a look at Magnus Carlsen's losses at Norway Chess.
They are not coming from 'weariness' he's just making big mistakes. A variant does not solve that problem.

He said so himself, that he is weary of playing the same opening positions again and again.

@lizani said in #4: > Take a look at Magnus Carlsen's losses at Norway Chess. > They are not coming from 'weariness' he's just making big mistakes. A variant does not solve that problem. He said so himself, that he is weary of playing the same opening positions again and again.

lizani

#6

@Lygodactylus said in #5:

He said so himself, that he is weary of playing the same opening positions again and again.

An old man complains about playing the same openings over and over, but does that explain why he blunders in the middlegame or endgame? In fact, if the openings are so familiar, shouldn't we have more time and energy for the rest of the game?

@Lygodactylus said in #5: > He said so himself, that he is weary of playing the same opening positions again and again. An old man complains about playing the same openings over and over, but does that explain why he blunders in the middlegame or endgame? In fact, if the openings are so familiar, shouldn't we have more time and energy for the rest of the game?

Lygodactylus

#7

@lizani said in #6:

An old man complains about playing the same openings over and over, but does that explain why he blunders in the middlegame or endgame? In fact, if the openings are so familiar, shouldn't we have more time and energy for the rest of the game?

If you lose interest in the game, then you play worse.

@lizani said in #6: > An old man complains about playing the same openings over and over, but does that explain why he blunders in the middlegame or endgame? In fact, if the openings are so familiar, shouldn't we have more time and energy for the rest of the game? If you lose interest in the game, then you play worse.

EmaciatedSpaniard

#8

Is 34 an 'old man'? I think it's a combination of things. He's expressed this in the past. He proposed different shorter time formats for example because classical was becoming boring. Its interesting to see him expressing some of the same things Fischer said when he quit chess. All those rote lines people memorize to get a slight advantage.

As for his middlegame and endgame. Yeah, if you are bored, or not motivated, that takes energy and focus away from you. At this high level even a small lack of either will cost you games.

Is 34 an 'old man'? I think it's a combination of things. He's expressed this in the past. He proposed different shorter time formats for example because classical was becoming boring. Its interesting to see him expressing some of the same things Fischer said when he quit chess. All those rote lines people memorize to get a slight advantage. As for his middlegame and endgame. Yeah, if you are bored, or not motivated, that takes energy and focus away from you. At this high level even a small lack of either will cost you games.