⚔️Horde Chess 📜 History and Renovation ♙♙♙🛡️

We will know the advantages that exist in Horde Chess, its History and Rules. Over time Strategies, Tactics, etc. Join the challenge.

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History:

Dunsany's chess, is an asymmetric chess variant in which one side has standard chess pieces and the other side has 32 pawns. This game was invented by Lord Dunsany in 1942. A similar game is called Horde Chess, that we will know next.

Dunsany Rules:

Black's setup is the same in normal chess; White's army consists of 32 pawns, occupying ranks one through four, as shown in the diagram.

The rules are the same as in regular chess, with the following exceptions:

- Black moves first.
- Only Black's pawns have the option of two steps on their first move.
- Black wins by capturing all 32 white pawns, while White wins by checkmating Black.
- The other rules are the same as in normal chess. For example, pawns increase on the back row and a stalemate ensues if White's pawns run out of moves.
Over time, this game underwent analysis and adjustments for its improvement in terms of gameplay and balance, which we will name below.

Differences:

Horde Modern Chess Rules:

- White has a horde of pawns and wins by checkmating Black. Black wins by taking all of White's pawns (and promoted pieces).
- Pawns can jump 2 squares from the first and second ranks.
- Maintains the rules of Current Chess.
- White moves first.
- Black wins by capturing 36 white pawns and/or promoted pieces. White wins, by giving checkmate to Black.
- White and black draw when a deadlock appears, which consists when white's pawns run out of moves.

The magic of the game is that you manage to raise your structural level. When you are white, it is very important to learn to defend main lines, and advance solidly step by step, avoiding simultaneous attacks on some key square. When you are black, your main challenge is to create the best break, which allows you to gain positional advantage in terms of space, since these are very small and it is vital to achieve it at the right time, before being crushed by that large army of pawns.

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Renovation:

- In 2015, "Chesswhiz" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKRTvworOxs
encouraged lichess to add a new later version (but with the same name, Horde), with 36 pawns , instead of 32.

- Later in the same year 2015, they changed color for balance reasons.
The 2015 color change occurred on April 10, 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBye0ioqGmY 

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Top Player:

Verilator is the world's first "Top Player" in Horde.

April 9   https://lichess.org/PTQqmvLr 

April 10 https://lichess.org/MoIy1E76/black 

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Fragment:

I'm no expert at horde chess, but I played Dunsany's variant which is exceptionally similar, except there are four less pawns. It is harder, but the variant I played doesn't allow white's pawns to advance two squares, only one, even if it was their first move.

As I said, I'm no expert but I think Dunsany's and Horde have massive similarities. So, with that in mind, basic theory could be as follows:
White
i) Winning the center is a lost cause. Instead, use the center to force your opponent to over extend, and create pawn chains that you can sacrifice a bishop or knight in to make the chain's base unprotected.
ii) Defence of the center is an utmost priority, but this shouldn't be the battleground.
iii) Going in from the sides and edges is far superior. The rook files are particularly weak (which is why white can start with 1.h4 or 1.a4 and have a reasonable position).
iv) It is best not to use knights or bishops until either all of your pawns have been eliminated, or the defence is holding and relatively static.
v) Sacrifices are necessary in order to allow your Queen to the back rank.
vi) Separating the pawn mass into two smaller hordes makes it more manageable.

I'm still working on the theory for black.
https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/your-opinion-on-horde-chess?page=5

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Fragment:

Actually, think the opposite - take towards the outside. I think most wins (from my games) come about through A (mainly) or H file attacks - mainly because rooks are already there And fewer pawns are defended (central pawns have two defenders, edge boards have one).

So... keep your pawns on the edges for as long as possible - and take towards there.

Goldilocks

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⚔️The Art of Horde Chess 🛡️

We invite you to join our club and share the best strategies:
https://www.chess.com/club/the-art-of-horde-chess

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Top Player Horde | https://www.chess.com/variants/horde

The 3 best players in the world:  rune_raider | Arma-50 |  benoni2020
Actualizado hoy 25-05-2022

One of my secrets, to increase my chess skills and be successful, is to train positional play and know how to create breaks on key squares. My training zone is in Horde Chess, we are here to help you!

Epic Games:

@JanHeckmann (2020) | @martinaxo (1670)
https://www.chess.com/variants/horde/game/26070612/98/1

@dechko123 (1983) | @martinaxo (1661)
https://www.chess.com/variants/horde/game/26202550/0/3

I'm currently with an ELO 1747 and number #327 in the world. I have a great challenge, but we go with everything, without fear of anything.

⚔️Martinaxo