Feature Request: Insert Null Moves in Studies • page 1/1 • Lichess Feedback • lichess.org

Request to add an Insert Null Move option in analysis boards and studies.

A null move is used to skip a turn for one player. This is helpful in analysis to demonstrate ideas on a board, without needing to "pass" a turn by making pointless moves for one side. This makes it a wonderful tool for the vibrant study creating community here on Lichess. Some useful examples could be 1.e4 -- 2.d4, skipping Black's turn and showing White establish a strong pawn center; or a position where one wants to demonstrate a threat in the position "And if Black doesn't move, White will play Qxh7#"; or demonstrate a sequence of moves as part of a plan "White will play Nc2 -- Ne3 -- Nd5 to reach the outpost".

Chessbase includes this feature and it is extremely helpful. However, if a Chessbase file includes a Null Move, and I attempt to load the PGN into a Lichess study, Lichess gives a parsing error as it is not able to interpret the PGN code for the Null Move ("Z0" is the PGN code applied by Chessbase).

Thanks for your consideration!

Request to add an Insert Null Move option in analysis boards and studies. A null move is used to skip a turn for one player. This is helpful in analysis to demonstrate ideas on a board, without needing to "pass" a turn by making pointless moves for one side. This makes it a wonderful tool for the vibrant study creating community here on Lichess. Some useful examples could be 1.e4 -- 2.d4, skipping Black's turn and showing White establish a strong pawn center; or a position where one wants to demonstrate a threat in the position "And if Black doesn't move, White will play Qxh7#"; or demonstrate a sequence of moves as part of a plan "White will play Nc2 -- Ne3 -- Nd5 to reach the outpost". Chessbase includes this feature and it is extremely helpful. However, if a Chessbase file includes a Null Move, and I attempt to load the PGN into a Lichess study, Lichess gives a parsing error as it is not able to interpret the PGN code for the Null Move ("Z0" is the PGN code applied by Chessbase). Thanks for your consideration!

bufferunderrun

#2

You can draw arrows to demonstrate a sequence of moves.

ambar1

#3

yes but seeing the moves played out is much better. I agree with @C4LTim that null moves should be added. i did not know what they were but after seeing his explanation they seem to be a wonderful addition. i often have problems undersatnding ideas(in lichess studies) and this would make it easier.

The_Human_Paradox

#4

Adding a null move would be a very helpful feature. Making an useless move for the opponent or drawing errors does not give a very smooth (for lack of a better word) experience. Another problem is that if my Chessbase PGN file has a null move I'm not able to enter the PGN in a Lichess study.

freeErgolding

#5

this request is not new and if i remember correctly the problem with this request was that it is very hard to code but for sure it would be a great addition

gbtami edited

#6

#2 Arrows are not good substitutes of threat variation lines if you want to show longer move sequences. Analysis supports showing these threat lines already.
Here 39... Rxd4 40. Kc3 Rg4 41. b4 a5 42. a3 Nd8 43. bxa5 Ra4 44. Bxf5+ ...
https://i.imgur.com/4AuYclm.png

#2 Arrows are not good substitutes of threat variation lines if you want to show longer move sequences. Analysis supports showing these threat lines already. Here 39... Rxd4 40. Kc3 Rg4 41. b4 a5 42. a3 Nd8 43. bxa5 Ra4 44. Bxf5+ ... https://i.imgur.com/4AuYclm.png

bufferunderrun

#7

PGN standard has no support for Null moves, as far as I am aware.
Some software implement it, but again no standard and no unified way to represent it. Some use --, some Z0, some <>.

The examples that OP has given can easily be visualized with arrows.

As for adding PGNs with null moves into study, you can delete this part or comment it out using {} before you add it to the chapter. Sure, the parser could be improved and omit it or transform it to comment on its own - make a GitHub issue.

PGN standard has no support for Null moves, as far as I am aware. Some software implement it, but again no standard and no unified way to represent it. Some use --, some Z0, some <>. The examples that OP has given can easily be visualized with arrows. As for adding PGNs with null moves into study, you can delete this part or comment it out using {} before you add it to the chapter. Sure, the parser could be improved and omit it or transform it to comment on its own - make a GitHub issue.

The_Human_Paradox

#8

#7 Yes of course that it what I had to do ultimately in the end. Maybe Lichess could use the Chessbase way of representing the null move since Chessbase is the most popular chess software. The null move feature will be really awesome if it will be added as it is the clearest way of showing a threat or a plan (better than arrows if the threat has a long variation as in @gbtami's case).