Chess18 event

[Chessqueen]

There will be an over-the-board chess18 event at Timbermoose Lodge in Utah March 20-22, featuring seven FIDE-titled streamers plus Komodo Dragon. Chess18 is simply the 18 positions of chess960 (or shufflechess) with the kings and rooks on normal squares, so normal castling rules apply, making it true chess, albeit from unusual starting positions. Here is the announcement: https://www.timbermoose.com/chess18. Time limit planned is 15' plus 5" increment.

Because there is a wide range of ratings (about 500 elo not even considering Komodo Dragon), handicaps are planned when the players are not closely matched. Details are still being worked out, but I anticipate that Komodo Dragon will give knight odds to the stronger players and rook odds to the weaker ones, perhaps with color also depending on rating. I am not directly involved with organizing the event, but am serving as an adviser/consultant, and I may also participate as a player playing online if we can work out how to do this smoothly.

The only previous chess18 event with human participation that I know of was a four game Rapid match between Komodo and GM Alex Lenderman 3 years ago at knight odds. It was quite competitive. Komodo Dragon now is stronger than Komodo was then, but GM Naroditsky is even stronger in fast chess than Lenderman so knight odds should be appropriate for that pairing.

I think that chess18 is quite promising. It doesn't eliminate opening theory, but it makes it impractical for players to prepare long, detailed analysis for each of the 18 positions, and it avoids the need to prepare for specific games and opponents. The role of memory in the opening will be back perhaps to what it was a century or so ago in standard chess, in terms of how much theory the players are likely to know about each position. It feels much more like standard chess than the other 942 positions of chess960, and doesn't require the player (human or engine) to learn new rules.

Here we have beautiful Anna Cramling the lowest rated player to play versus Dragon 3.2 at Rook Odds playing versus 12 years old Tani, and also teaching how to become a 2000 rated player, but of course we all know that it takes a lot of videos from different trainers and Books to become a 2000 players which one of her video will NOT do it

Anna Cramling versus 12 years old Tani


Anna chess lessons how to become a 2000 player

[Chessqueen]

There will be an over-the-board chess18 event at Timbermoose Lodge in Utah March 20-22, featuring seven FIDE-titled streamers plus Komodo Dragon. Chess18 is simply the 18 positions of chess960 (or shufflechess) with the kings and rooks on normal squares, so normal castling rules apply, making it true chess, albeit from unusual starting positions. Here is the announcement: https://www.timbermoose.com/chess18. Time limit planned is 15' plus 5" increment.

Because there is a wide range of ratings (about 500 elo not even considering Komodo Dragon), handicaps are planned when the players are not closely matched. Details are still being worked out, but I anticipate that Komodo Dragon will give knight odds to the stronger players and rook odds to the weaker ones, perhaps with color also depending on rating. I am not directly involved with organizing the event, but am serving as an adviser/consultant, and I may also participate as a player playing online if we can work out how to do this smoothly.

The only previous chess18 event with human participation that I know of was a four game Rapid match between Komodo and GM Alex Lenderman 3 years ago at knight odds. It was quite competitive. Komodo Dragon now is stronger than Komodo was then, but GM Naroditsky is even stronger in fast chess than Lenderman so knight odds should be appropriate for that pairing.

I think that chess18 is quite promising. It doesn't eliminate opening theory, but it makes it impractical for players to prepare long, detailed analysis for each of the 18 positions, and it avoids the need to prepare for specific games and opponents. The role of memory in the opening will be back perhaps to what it was a century or so ago in standard chess, in terms of how much theory the players are likely to know about each position. It feels much more like standard chess than the other 942 positions of chess960, and doesn't require the player (human or engine) to learn new rules.

Here we have beautiful Anna Cramling the lowest rated player to play versus Dragon 3.2 at Rook Odds playing versus 12 years old Tani, and also teaching how to become a 2000 rated player, but of course we all know that it takes a lot of videos from different trainers and Books to become a 2000 players which one of her video will NOT do it

Anna Cramling versus 12 years old Tani ===>

Anna chess lessons how to become a 2000 player ===>

[lkaufman]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

[Chessqueen]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

For the Chess18 event against the 6 Humans players Dragon 2.6 should be offered for a special price of only $25.00. That would be a good promotion and Dragon 3.2 for only $55.00, but only for 3 days, and the price should return to normal after those three days

[Chessqueen]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

Here is one of the 6 players James Canty playing Vs Levy Rozman==>

[lkaufman]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

Here is one of the 6 players James Canty playing Vs Levy Rozman==>

Why do you say 6 players, do you know something I don't know? There are seven human players listed not counting myself (looks like it's at least technically feasible for me to play remotely); total of 9 if both Komodo Dragon and I participate.

[Chessqueen]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

Here is one of the 6 players James Canty playing Vs Levy Rozman==>

Why do you say 6 players, do you know something I don't know? There are seven human players listed not counting myself (looks like it's at least technically feasible for me to play remotely); total of 9 if both Komodo Dragon and I participate.

Sorry I missed count, What chances do you give to Dragon 3.2 with the Rook Odds at Chess18 , At least 50% ?

[lkaufman]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

Here is one of the 6 players James Canty playing Vs Levy Rozman==>

Why do you say 6 players, do you know something I don't know? There are seven human players listed not counting myself (looks like it's at least technically feasible for me to play remotely); total of 9 if both Komodo Dragon and I participate.

Sorry I missed count, What chances do you give to Dragon 3.2 with the Rook Odds at Chess18 , At least 50% ?

Based on my own test games under these conditions, I am a favorite with rook odds, but perhaps I'm more familiar with playing computers and odds and nonstandard positions than the others. Maybe the two young women will find it a fair match. I expect Daniel to win with knight odds, while the other men (all IMs except Canty FM, who is IM level in blitz) will get knight plus White and should find it pretty balanced I think. But note that the odds change for the second game unless the first is a draw. This almost guarantees a close result overall.

[Chessqueen]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

Here is one of the 6 players James Canty playing Vs Levy Rozman==>

Why do you say 6 players, do you know something I don't know? There are seven human players listed not counting myself (looks like it's at least technically feasible for me to play remotely); total of 9 if both Komodo Dragon and I participate.

Sorry I missed count, What chances do you give to Dragon 3.2 with the Rook Odds at Chess18 , At least 50% ?

Based on my own test games under these conditions, I am a favorite with rook odds, but perhaps I'm more familiar with playing computers and odds and nonstandard positions than the others. Maybe the two young women will find it a fair match. I expect Daniel to win with knight odds, while the other men (all IMs except Canty FM, who is IM level in blitz) will get knight plus White and should find it pretty balanced I think. But note that the odds change for the second game unless the first is a draw. This almost guarantees a close result overall.

So besides playing Versus Dragon 3.2 everybody will play against each other as well ?

[lkaufman]

Update: I was diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and was pretty sick thru Thursday. It seems now that Paxlovid is working, I should be well enough to play by Monday, but I would still be contagious and likely coughing so I had to cancel my trip. We're investigating now the feasibility of my participating by playing my games online (it's not trivial since the start positions are nonstandard).

Here is one of the 6 players James Canty playing Vs Levy Rozman==>

Why do you say 6 players, do you know something I don't know? There are seven human players listed not counting myself (looks like it's at least technically feasible for me to play remotely); total of 9 if both Komodo Dragon and I participate.

Sorry I missed count, What chances do you give to Dragon 3.2 with the Rook Odds at Chess18 , At least 50% ?

Based on my own test games under these conditions, I am a favorite with rook odds, but perhaps I'm more familiar with playing computers and odds and nonstandard positions than the others. Maybe the two young women will find it a fair match. I expect Daniel to win with knight odds, while the other men (all IMs except Canty FM, who is IM level in blitz) will get knight plus White and should find it pretty balanced I think. But note that the odds change for the second game unless the first is a draw. This almost guarantees a close result overall.

So besides playing Versus Dragon 3.2 everybody will play against each other as well ?

Yes, double RR. Mismatches with pawn or two odds.