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Are opening books and databases considered legal for games?

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Originally posted by LordofADown
Are opening books and databases considered legal for games?
Yes but not Tablebases.

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yes, on here. but you cant use endgame databases

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thank you for the quick reply, but what exactly are tablebases?

I didn't even know there were such things as endgame databases, thats rediculous!

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Originally posted by LordofADown
thank you for the quick reply, but what exactly are tablebases?

I didn't even know there were such things as endgame databases, thats rediculous!
Tablebases are "databases" that store all possible moves for a given number of pieces. Say if you have 5 pieces left on the board (no matter where they are) a tablebase will show you how to win.

The most complex position to be solved by a tablebase so far is a theoretical mate in 500+ moves although obviously it would be a draw by the 50 move rule.

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thanks for the response, could you explain this 50 move draw?

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Originally posted by LordofADown
thanks for the response, could you explain this 50 move draw?
If 50 moves are made without a pawn being moved or a piece being taken then either player may claim a draw.

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oh ok, so it is possible that chess can be solved? that's a scary thought.

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Originally posted by LordofADown
oh ok, so it is possible that chess can be solved? that's a scary thought.
Maybe but a Tablebase with 32 pieces would be enormous.

For example there are over 300000 positions that can occur from the first 2 moves only and over 200 billion possible positions by move 4.