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Chess Handicaps[Subject Thread] [Add Response]
Jianying Ji wrote on Sat, Apr 27, 2002 05:09 AM UTC:
I have thought about it for quite a while, that chess lacks a coherent
handicap system. (A good example of a coherent handicap system is that 
of go) How do we go about crating one for chess? Certainly chess for
different armies of ralph betza points the way forward. Black Ghost of
Ralph Betza is a step toward a handicap system. Using these as stepping
stones, let me propose the following:

Types of Handicap:

Range: Gradual limiting of the range of stronger player's pieces 

Functional: Limiting the leaping/capturing ability of the stronger player

Balancing: Adding power to the weak side, for example adding of a ghost
 like in ghost chess.

Of course how a comprehensive system might look like, I'm not sure yet,
 so any comments welcome.

David Howe wrote on Sat, Apr 27, 2002 12:09 PM UTC:
It would be nice to have a full, comprehensive article on Chess
Handicapping. Anyone out there want to volunteer?

Jianying Ji wrote on Sat, Apr 27, 2002 11:30 PM UTC:
let me put out a few points, though I don't yet have enough for a
comprehensive page yet, but when I do, I might pull it together
for one. So I volunteer provisionally, though I might need some
help going forward.

Chess-like game with handicap systems that could be a guide are:

knightmare chess
http://www.sjgames.com/knightmare/handicapping.html

Shogi
http://www.msoworld.com/mindzine/news/orient/shogi_handicap1.html

The first site mentions that for standard chess, traditional handicap is 
based on similar pricipal as shogi handicaps.

While the traditional system is a good start I would like to have a much
more fine grained approach. 

I'll leave it here so I can write a more detailed note soon also to give
the reader a chance to respond.

Jianying Ji wrote on Fri, May 3, 2002 12:36 AM UTC:
Continuing with this subject let me propose the following:

let their be 9 levels of mastery (similar to asian game ratings, but 
                                  in keeping with western chess theme,
                                  we need a different name than dan)

Between each level and the one below is divided 4 sublevels. 
(Again a name is sought)

The difference between sublevels is one point, as described by Ralph Betza

in  http://chessvariants.com/d.betza/pieceval/p3-01.html.  The move is 
good enough for difference of one sublevel.

The difference between levels is then naturally 4 points, or pawn and
move.

For other handicaps we need to temper with the army somewhat, but 
whatever we do must be ballanced, from openning to endgame.

Also as can be calculate, I envision the largest handicap to be 36 
points, roughly the value of an amazon. I think this is a reasonable
 upperbound but as I am not a good chess player, input would be really 
appreciated.

Jeff \ wrote on Wed, May 24, 2006 07:39 PM UTC:
I've got a well-developed handicap system that I use.  I'll write it up
and post it here if anyone is interested.  It covers the following:

-Why handicapping is important for young players
-How to handicap games
-How to rate handicapped games
-Alternate handicaps

Jianying Ji wrote on Wed, May 24, 2006 11:40 PM UTC:
Jeff, I'm interested, it would nice if you can post it. maybe even as a
page in it self. I look forward to its details.

Ed wrote on Wed, May 24, 2006 11:42 PM UTC:
This sounds great!  If possible, could you add some game scores, or at
least some descriptions of what you think the best method for seeking
checkmate is according to the handicaps?  Is there a technique of play
that they encourage a junior player to develop?

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