[cyborgx7]

If the point of this exercise is to create a game that removes first move advantage, while keeping the game as unchanged as possible, this is an utter failure.

Turning a game of perfect information into a bluffing and anticipation game is not a minor change. It's a fundamental change of the essence of what the game is.

[twosdai]

I think the point of the article was to explore and create a rough system for evaluating rules and creating a "fair" (in the terms of the article fair) system where simultaneous moves are allowed.

I don't think anywhere its stated that the author wanted to leave a game unchanged. Or as unchanged as possible.

In this perspective I think this article/exercise is not "an utter failure". Its pretty decent.

[kibwen]

Chess already has an element of bluffing and anticipation, it just happens over the course of many moves.

[Maxatar]

I am watching the Speed Chess Championship on Twitch as we speak and the commentators along with interviews with GMs and the players themselves are nonstop talking about bluffing and anticipation.

Magnus for example talks about the importance of purposely making a sub-optimal move as a way to bluff your opponent. Your opponent likely has memorized all the optimal moves and so you make a sub-optimal move to leave your opponent guessing whether you made a genuine mistake that you can be punished for, or whether you made that sub-optimal move on purpose because you studied it extensively whereas your opponent has not and you know if your opponent doesn't play it absolutely perfectly you can trap them.

I mean seriously you can watch the championship for free on Twitch right now with GM Naroditsky and GM Rozman, and they don't really talk that much about what the theoretical best moves are, they talk about the psychology, about players going on tilt, about making aggressive moves to throw your opponent off. It's fun and fascinating.

[BlewisJS]

Sorry to be pedantic but Rozman isn't a GM

[Maxatar]

Worthwhile correction, thank you. He is an International Master.

[sigzero]

Yes, I agree with you.