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Ramned

The Rams

Only Chess

11 Dec 07

Ramned

The Rams

Joined: 04 Sep 06
Moves: 13491

11 Dec 07

What is "sound" in chess exactly....what are "sound moves, sound openings"

~~rubberjaw30~~

Tony, kiss mine!

Joined: 18 Mar 06
Moves: 3118

11 Dec 07

Originally posted by Ramned
What is "sound" in chess exactly....what are "sound moves, sound openings"

I always thought of sound as any move which is not losing.
for example:
e4 is sound (duh)
however, many GMS have cast doubts as to whether or not 2. f4 is sound. an "unsound opening" would be something like 1. f3 2. Kf2 3.Qe1 or something crazily insane like that.

Squelchbelch

Joined: 14 Jul 06
Moves: 20541

11 Dec 07

A move or opening that cannot be refuted by best play.

Ramned

The Rams

Joined: 04 Sep 06
Moves: 13491

11 Dec 07

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
A move or opening that cannot be refuted by best play.

such as the Fried liver when it is started (Nxf7?)

~~rubberjaw30~~

Tony, kiss mine!

Joined: 18 Mar 06
Moves: 3118

11 Dec 07

Originally posted by Ramned
such as the Fried liver when it is started (Nxf7?)

or the poisoned pawn after black takes the pawn.
the soundness of Qxb2 in that line may be one of the more disputed topics in all of chessdom...
next to the soundness rating of 1. d4 vs. 1. e4

Squelchbelch

Joined: 14 Jul 06
Moves: 20541

11 Dec 07

Originally posted by Ramned
such as the Fried liver when it is started (Nxf7?)

1.e4...e5
2.Nf3...Nc6
3.Bc4...Nf6
4.Ng5...d5
5.exd5...Nxd5?
is a slight mistake though maybe not unsound.
5...Na5 is more sound
6.Nxf7...Fxf7
7.Qf3+
is ok but many feel that 6.d4 is better for white.

exigentsky

Joined: 19 Nov 05
Moves: 3112

11 Dec 07

It is a move that has generally withstood the test of time and for which there is no clear advantage for the opponent.

chrspayn

Joined: 02 Mar 07
Moves: 6309

11 Dec 07

The poisoned pawn accepted is definatly sound

~~rubberjaw30~~

Tony, kiss mine!

Joined: 18 Mar 06
Moves: 3118

11 Dec 07

Originally posted by chrspayn
The poisoned pawn accepted is definatly sound

I'm sure there about a thousand people around the globe who would strongly disagree with you.
I don't see it much, because I usually play 2. Nc3 against a Sicilian.
usually, the tactically obsessed 1. ... c5 employers don't like the Closed Sicilian...

Mickey Knox

Chess Fugitive

Route 66

Joined: 29 May 07
Moves: 2699

13 Dec 07

Open Sicilian is much more dangerous for black...be more aggressive!

der schwarze Ritter

Big D

Joined: 13 Dec 05
Moves: 26380

13 Dec 07

Originally posted by Ramned
What is "sound" in chess exactly....what are "sound moves, sound openings"

"Sound" implies that the move adheres to generally accepted principals or is the move that would be played by masters or advanced players in most similar situations.

Mahout

London

Joined: 04 Nov 05
Moves: 12606

13 Dec 07

A "solid" move is similarly correct but perhaps less adventurous. I think of a solid move or a solid set up as being obviously strong and correct whereas "sound" is something that may not appear to be so correct at first sight but has been tested and proved to be good.

This is only my own personal impression of the use of this word in this context.

Being of sound mind (i.e. not mad) is, I think, a legal requirement for signing contracts, getting married and writing your will etc but not - sadly - a requirement for posting in the forums.