Absolutely mind boggling!

"Shannon number"

There are more chess games than atoms in the universe!

The number of possible chess games = 10^123
The number of atoms in the known universe = 10^80

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_number

Originally posted by kNIGHTHEAD
"Shannon number"
The number of possible chess games = 10^123

"Wolfgang Number"
The number of impossible chess games

Originally posted by kNIGHTHEAD
"Shannon number"

There are more chess games than atoms in the universe!

The number of possible chess games = 10^123
The number of atoms in the known universe = 10^80

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_number

Wonder what the Shannon # would be for Go?

What is the number of moves reference used? How is it calculater?

for the game of Go it would be a googleplex, more or less

Originally posted by kNIGHTHEAD
"Shannon number"

There are more chess games than atoms in the universe!

The number of possible chess games = 10^123
The number of atoms in the known universe = 10^80

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_number

Yes, most people would guess the number at a couple of hundred thousand.
(at least the people I have asked)
It is amazing.