Chapter 1: The Emergence of Fighting Chess

In the realm of chess, a new variant is set to revolutionize the game: Fighting Chess. This innovative version introduces unique elements such as four dark-squared bishops, dramatically altering traditional strategies.

The current illustration showcases the position of Fighting Chess after ten moves from both sides. While the official website, fightchess.com, is still being developed, it promises to allow players to display game positions, like the one illustrated here.

Fighting Chess retains the essence of regular chess while incorporating several key modifications: Rooks, Bishops, and Knights now possess the ability to move and capture as kings do. Additionally, Pawns can now capture one square directly ahead. Notably, the king is no longer untouchable and can be captured under certain conditions. Players can also opt to pass their turn if they choose, and castling is permitted even when in check or moving into check.

These alterations have been thoughtfully crafted to enhance the game's intensity while preserving its foundational elements. Now, any piece, with the aid of its own king, can single-handedly checkmate the opposing king.

Stalemate scenarios are eliminated, as the previous rules that led to stalemate situations have been removed. The invulnerability of the king is no longer a factor; players must now be mindful of their king's safety, as leaving it in check could lead to capture. The concept of zugzwang is rendered obsolete, allowing players who might have faced zugzwang to simply pass their turn.

Although our website is still under construction, we are excited to share some of its functionalities. Upon completion, it will host tournaments, including those organized by members. You will have the opportunity to create your own tournaments and set spectator fees, potentially making them profitable ventures.

Additionally, you can become an instructor on our platform, teaching Fighting Chess to eager learners. There will also be opportunities to create and sell instructional videos.

We are introducing a new tournament structure known as The Block Transition Tournament, which will replace existing tournament formats. This structure allows for flexibility, ensuring that top players can either meet in the final stages or be kept apart throughout the tournament. This is particularly beneficial for identifying the best candidates for prestigious tournaments.

The first video explores the creator's journey in mastering various chess variants, showcasing the excitement and challenges faced along the way.

Chapter 2: Advanced Tournament Analysis

Our platform will also feature a new and more effective rating system, surpassing the traditional Elo rating: The Performance Rating Algorithm.

We will introduce a graphical representation of tournaments, referred to as a Tournament Snapshot. This method employs a scatterplot to analyze tournament data, where the x-axis represents P-Zero scores—unbiased evaluations of player performance—while the y-axis displays players' ratings prior to the event. The Tournament Snapshot visually illustrates the relationship between player ratings and their actual performance in the tournament, ideally forming a straight line when everything aligns well.

The accompanying graph is derived from the historical Berlin 1881 tournament, famously won by Blackburne. Notably, Blackburne’s data point is positioned farthest to the right, while Zuckertort, the highest-rated player according to chessmetrics, occupies the highest position on the graph. This visual representation makes it easier to discern these relationships.

In some cases, I may include annotations on a Tournament Snapshot to enhance comprehension:

Given his remarkable performance in this tournament, Kasparov's rating is aligned with the established benchmark, validating his position as the highest-rated player. This method allows us to assign ratings even to previously unknown players.

Thank you for your attention. Exciting developments are on the horizon for the chess community!

The second video features chess masters engaging with our new variant, Spell Chess, showcasing their strategies and insights.