opening databases

Are opening books and databases considered legal for games?

Originally posted by LordofADown
Are opening books and databases considered legal for games?

Yes but not Tablebases.

yes, on here. but you cant use endgame databases

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.