Transposition (chess)

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

A transposition in chess is a sequence of moves that results in a position which may also be reached by another, more common sequence of moves. A transposition of moves usually refers to an opening, in which a given position is arrived at by a different sequence of moves. Players sometimes use transpositions deliberately in order to avoid variations they dislike, lure opponents into unfamiliar or uncomfortable territory or just worry opponents.[1][2]

In chess the verb "transpose" means shifting the game on to a different opening track from that on which it started.

Transposition tables are an essential part of a computer chess program.

Contents

[edit] Examples

[edit] Positions reached by different routes

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 pd d7 e7 f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 pd f6 nd g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pl d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 nl d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 pl f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Position can arise from Queen's Gambit or English Opening.

For instance, the first position can be obtained from the Queen's Gambit:

  • 1. d4 d5
  • 2. c4 e6
  • 3. Nc3 Nf6

But this position can also be reached from the English opening:

  • 1. c4 Nf6
  • 2. Nc3 e6
  • 3. d4 d5

so the English opening has transposed into the Queen's Gambit.

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 pd d7 e7 f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 nd g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 nl g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Position can arise from French Defense or Petrov Defense.

The second position shows another example. The position can arise from the French Defence:

  • 1. e4 e6
  • 2. d4 d5
  • 3. exd5 exd5
  • 4. Nf3 Nf6

can also be obtained in the Petrov Defense:

  • 1. e4 e5
  • 2. Nf3 Nf6
  • 3. Nxe5 d6
  • 4. Nf3 Nxe4
  • 5. d3 Nf6
  • 6. d4 d5[3]


[edit] Tranposition possibilities of some openings

Some openings are noted for their wide range of possible transpositions, for example the Catalan Opening and Sicilian Defence.[4][2]

For a simple example, the opening moves 1. d4 e6 can transpose very quickly into a wide range of openings, including:

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 pd d7 e7 f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 pd f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pl d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 pl f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Queen's Gambit Declined, after 2 c4 e6. The QGD itself offers a wide range of transposition possibilities
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 pd d7 pd e7 f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 pd f6 nd g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pl d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 pl f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
After 2 c4 Nf6. This could develop in many ways, including: Queen's Gambit Declined, Nimzo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Defense or Modern Benoni Defense.


Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 pd d7 pd e7 f7 g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 pd f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 pd g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pl d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 pl f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Dutch Defense, after 2 c4 f5.
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 pd d7 e7 f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 pd f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 pl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
French Defence, after 2 e4 d5.


[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mark Weeks. Chess Opening Tutorial : Introduction to 1.d4. about.com.
  2. ^ a b Soltis, A. (2007). Transpo Tricks in Chess. Batsford. ISBN 0713490519.  See review at Transpo Tricks in Chess - review. chessville.com.
  3. ^ Hooper, David (1992). The Oxford Companion to Chess. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-866164-9. 
  4. ^ Fine, R.. Ideas Behind the Chess Openings. Random House. ISBN 0812917561.