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Is this theoretical novelty double-piece sacrifice actually sound?

Working my way through Hannes Langrock's book on the modern Morra Gambit (second edition), I came across an interesting sacrifice that he believes is at best worth a draw. Indeed that's also Stockfish's initial conclusion. But when I analyse it for…
HTTP 410
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What inspired the touch move rule?

This is the touch move rule: If a player deliberately touches a piece on the board when it is their turn to move, then they must move or capture that piece if it is legal to do so. Where did this rule come from?
Fmbalbuena
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Is there a mathematical theorem that you can use to win a chess endgame?

Have mathematicians created any theorem that determines the outcome of a endgame? If so, how could it be used to win a specific endgame?
user26887
10
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How can one become a very good chess player without studying chess or openings?

I heard that Capablanca never liked to bother with openings, would never study chess or read books. Despite all this, he became world champion. Is this an exception to the rule? Have times changed today were players are too strong and study is…
xaisoft
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If the back row of white pieces is moved to be in front of the pawns, which side should I play?

I remember this starting position played many times by my grandfathers. But I am too young to recollect the results of their games. If I have to choose, which side should I play? (White moves 1st)
TSLF
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Why is this seemingly quiet and normal position actually -3?

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 1 [Event "Casual Blitz game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/GETmjlLj"] [Date "2021.08.15"] [White "WMArsyHuda"] [Black "sicariusnoctis"] [Result "0-1"] [UTCDate "2021.08.15"] [UTCTime…
Mateen Ulhaq
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Can a beginner's "opening repertoire" consist of only "opening principles"?

Let's say I play only e4/e5 (but this question might also come up on d4/d5). If I was a beginner - unaware of opening theory - but could count at least 3 moves ahead, could I survive (=not be lost at move 15) basically any type of opening by…
Ferazhu
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How to quickly calculate two pawns facing two pawns

A situation that often seems to confuse me is when I push a pawn alongside two pawns that are head-to-head and my opponent pushes the opposing pawn, such as when Black plays c5 to my c4. rnbqkbnr/pp3ppp/4p3/2pp4/2PP1B2/8/PP2PPPP/RN1QKBNR w KQkq - 0…
Steve Bennett
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How high of a rating do I need to play in a OTB tournament?

I have recently been playing a lot of online chess and have around a 2000 rating in rapid on Lichess (I realize the ratings are not the most accurate, but it is my only point of reference). I'm wondering if there would be any good OTB tournaments…
QuantumEngineer
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Term for checkmate where every participating piece attacks exactly one square around king

I am looking for the term for a checkmate position which is an aesthetic feature for a chess composition. It is closely related to pure mate. I shall say that a piece (incl. pawn) participates in the mate if the piece attacks the king or a square…
Cyriac Antony
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Developing the king before developing most of your pieces

I saw this opening for the first time and was amazed by the position of the white king. [FEN "?"] [startply "21"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 h6 5. g4 Bd7 6. h5 e6 7. f4 c5 8. c3 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qb6 10. Kf2 O-O-O 11. Kg3 In this position, white…
Zuriel
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Why does the engine tell me to sacrifice a queen for bishop after a failed Scholar's mate?

I am a beginner. Recently I have looked at the computer-generated analysis of one of my games and I found a surprising recommendation. Why is it best to sacrifice my Queen in this situation, as the screenshot shows? [FEN ""] [StartPly "10"] 1. e4…
zabop
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Why can't I play puzzles on Lichess?

Lichess is a blind-accessible chess site that I like to play. But for some reason, it doesn't support puzzles in an accessible way. I've done everything that I need to do to make them accessible. But they still aren't, even though it seems…
user26887
10
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2 answers

German chess composition glossary

I'm trying to look through some puzzles at http://www.wenigsteiner.de/, but there are some abbreviations I'm not familiar with that I'm having a hard time finding through Google; I guess they are abbreviations for German words, but I don't know…
alphacapture
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Do strong players (2400+) really not double-check their calculations?

(For reference) I'm a candidate master. However, I've been trying to improve the tactical side of my game, especially calculations and time-management. One thing I do a lot is double-checking my calculations. While it obviously contributes to my…
JohnnyQ
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