ARMAGEDDON POP

History

Let us begin with a brief reflection and clarification: we will refer to this variant as Fischer Random Chess and nothing else. In recent years, there have been more or less strained attempts to remove Fischer’s name from this form of chess, which he invented after foreseeing the scenario where theory would be dominated by computers. We have seen terms like Chess960 (referring to the 960 possible starting positions) and the utterly ridiculous attempt, in our opinion, to call it "Chess9LX," blending Arabic and Roman numerals. Doesn’t it make your brain hurt to see that?

Some modern businesspeople prefer to call it "Freestyle Chess," which is less absurd and even somewhat appropriate if one is determined to avoid using Fischer’s name. However, we do not adopt such practices on this website. Despite Fischer’s highly controversial and politically incorrect nature, no one can deny his contributions to chess—his final gift being Fischer Random Chess.

Fischer Random Chess is a chess variant introduced by Fischer on June 19, 1996, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fischer developed this variant to counteract the extensive memorization of opening sequences in traditional chess, aiming to emphasize creativity and original thinking.

In Fischer Random Chess, the initial arrangement of pieces on the back rank is randomized, adhering to specific rules: bishops must be placed on opposite-colored squares, and the king is positioned between the rooks. This setup results in 960 unique starting positions, hence the name Chess960. The pawns are placed on their usual squares, and the game proceeds with standard chess rules, including castling, which is adapted to accommodate the varied starting positions.

The inaugural Fischer Random Chess tournament took place in Vojvodina, Yugoslavia, in the spring of 1996, with Grandmaster Peter Leko emerging victorious. Since then, the variant has gained popularity, leading to the establishment of official championships.

Notably, the first FIDE-recognized World Fischer Random Chess Championship was held in 2019, where Grandmaster Wesley So defeated reigning World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen to become the inaugural official champion. In 2022, Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura claimed the title in the subsequent championship.

Fischer Random Chess has been praised for revitalizing interest in chess by reducing the emphasis on opening preparation and encouraging players to rely on their strategic and tactical skills. Its recognition by FIDE and inclusion in official competitions underscore its significance in the contemporary chess landscape.

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Bobby Fischer

World Champion
The originator of Fischer Random Chess