Chess Freestyle

Our annual Freestyle (aka Chess 960 or Fischer Random) tournament wrapped up this week. Congrats to Gordon who took out the event with 6½ from 8 ahead of Ross in second place on 6½. Final results here.

In Freestyle chess the starting positions of back rank pieces are randomised. There are 960 different possibilities of starting positions. This variant of chess aims to remove memorisation of opening theory, where players have to rely on their other skills  from move 1. It has grown rapidly in popularity and significance, with now recognised world events involving the best players in the world.  It is great fun, and can and does trip even experienced higher rated players. As well illustrated in this game from Round 3. Oliver (rated several hundred points lower than his opponent) shows how it’s done in just 5 moves.

1 .b4 b5
2 Bb2 Bb7
3. Nb3 Nc6
4. e4 Nxb4
5. 0-0-0  Nxa3 #