Los Alamos Chess (1956)
Los Alamos chess
Los Alamos chess, also known as anti-clerical chess, is a chess variant played on a 6×6 board without bishops. It was the first chess-like game played by a computer program, which was developed at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in 1956 by Paul Stein and Mark Wells for the MANIAC I computer. The reduction of the board size and the number of pieces from standard chess was due to the limited capacity of computers at the time.
Why is Los Alamos chess Popular?
Los Alamos chess is significant because it was the first chess game played by a computer program, marking a milestone in the history of computer chess. The game’s popularity has grown over the years, and it continues to be played and studied by chess enthusiasts and computer scientists alike.
Game Components of Los Alamos chess
The game is played on a 6×6 board without bishops. The rules are mostly the same as in standard chess, with a few differences, such as:
– No pawn double-step move or en passant capture
– Pawns may not be promoted to bishops
– No castling
Game Setup of Los Alamos chess
The game is played between two players, with one player using the white pieces and the other using the black pieces. The starting position is illustrated in the search results.
Gameplay Mechanics of Los Alamos chess
Los Alamos chess is played with the same rules as standard chess, except for the aforementioned differences. The game is won by achieving checkmate or by forcing the opponent to resign.
Game Objective of Los Alamos chess
The objective of Los Alamos chess is to achieve checkmate or force the opponent to resign, just like in standard chess.
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