The majority of horde players I've spoken to thinks that white has a significant advantage. More like 80/20.
I'm sure white is winning. Open with the "Wing Attack" then explore black's "back rank" weakness.
If you open the a or h file, it's easy to paralyse an entire black's flank.
I tried to play some games with white giving up the Queen to see if it can win anyway, but the opposition was too weak.
If you open the a or h file, it's easy to paralyse an entire black's flank.
I tried to play some games with white giving up the Queen to see if it can win anyway, but the opposition was too weak.
#32 In that game (i did not view it completely) black play can be improved. For example:
instead of 6... exd4 -> 6... e4
isntead of 9 .... gxh3 -> 9... e5 (push central pawns, dont let the knight get the f3-h3 squares)
instead of 6... exd4 -> 6... e4
isntead of 9 .... gxh3 -> 9... e5 (push central pawns, dont let the knight get the f3-h3 squares)
More like 80/20.
Well the numbers don't lie. The win percentage is much closer to 50/50.
You, Cynosure, are by far the biggest and loudest proponent of this theory, but I digress.
This thread was, after all, intended to be a weigh in from only the strongest Horde players. Several weaker players, and a few stronger ones, want it to remain as it is (not to mention goldilocks) but perhaps ChessWhiz's already significant improvement of the variant can be further equalized.
Well the numbers don't lie. The win percentage is much closer to 50/50.
You, Cynosure, are by far the biggest and loudest proponent of this theory, but I digress.
This thread was, after all, intended to be a weigh in from only the strongest Horde players. Several weaker players, and a few stronger ones, want it to remain as it is (not to mention goldilocks) but perhaps ChessWhiz's already significant improvement of the variant can be further equalized.
Sorry, I thought you were counting the number of people weighing on either side.
Balanced:
Goldilocks #8 [1942 top 10]
DanDan2016 #9, #33 [1750, top 50 player]
Dionysius_god(?) [1553]
Unbalanced:
Hellball #3 [1383]
Cynosure #4 [1683 top 50]
Nimzozo #6 [1662]
Zwisch #16 [1716 top 50]
Vihvillain #23 [1825 top 50]
ChessWhiz #31 [1869 top 50]
okgo #42 [1500]
Biggest, I don't know. Loudest, I guess so.
But my figure was largely right. From this thread, 3 have voiced support that it's balanced (unsure about you, Dionysius as couldn't find an express decision) and 10 support there is a level of unbalance.
So it's around 77/23, not too far off my guessed 80/20.
As to who is qualified to discuss this, the people discussing it in depth do seem to be from the better pool of players. If you would rather I keep my opinion to myself however, I certainly will.
Balanced:
Goldilocks #8 [1942 top 10]
DanDan2016 #9, #33 [1750, top 50 player]
Dionysius_god(?) [1553]
Unbalanced:
Hellball #3 [1383]
Cynosure #4 [1683 top 50]
Nimzozo #6 [1662]
Zwisch #16 [1716 top 50]
Vihvillain #23 [1825 top 50]
ChessWhiz #31 [1869 top 50]
okgo #42 [1500]
Biggest, I don't know. Loudest, I guess so.
But my figure was largely right. From this thread, 3 have voiced support that it's balanced (unsure about you, Dionysius as couldn't find an express decision) and 10 support there is a level of unbalance.
So it's around 77/23, not too far off my guessed 80/20.
As to who is qualified to discuss this, the people discussing it in depth do seem to be from the better pool of players. If you would rather I keep my opinion to myself however, I certainly will.
I'm not opposed to a good argument! I think the more facts we have, the closer we'll get to the truth of the matter...
I finally modified Stockfish enough so it can (through a modified xboard with a modified polyglot) analyze Horde chess PGN files. Soon I'll publish the source code & ask for ideas (in a separate topic so as not to clutter this thread).
I finally modified Stockfish enough so it can (through a modified xboard with a modified polyglot) analyze Horde chess PGN files. Soon I'll publish the source code & ask for ideas (in a separate topic so as not to clutter this thread).
Ooh, let me weigh in my opinion! I have a high rating!
... I have little idea whether with strong play the game is balanced. But there's no harm in trying to rebalance it and change it back if we have to.
... I have little idea whether with strong play the game is balanced. But there's no harm in trying to rebalance it and change it back if we have to.
Clearly, the ChessWhiz Cup II should feature Horde II, which is exactly the same, except for a small balance tweak.
Hey, it's a new variant! :-)
Hey, it's a new variant! :-)
why not do just another variant?
it could be great!
it could be great!
something like king of th hill?
just change one rule like KOTH
just change one rule like KOTH
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