Author: KarinsDad
Date: 07:20:48 05/15/99
Go up one level in this thread
Well, got some sleep. Figured out that I was wrong. The 168 bit maximum (175 bit maxium with 50 move rule) is not really the maximum. For example, white could have a pawn on f3, g4, and h4. Black could have a pawn on f4, g5, and h5. White could play hg. Black could then unopposed promote his h pawn with h4. White could now unopposed promote both of his g pawns. So, the worse case scenario is 12 promotions (no pawns left) and every original piece still on the board. All pieces would have to be on the 2nd to 7th rows and so we have gained 2 bits per promotion or 24 bits, 3 whole bytes. A nightmare position to be sure. And unlike the position I set up here, a lot of the pawn promotions in a scheme of 12 promotions would not be unopposed. Now since we gain at most 2 bits per promotion, I doubt that there has every been such a situation where EVERY other piece is still on the board and pawns were in a configuration anywhere on the board such as the one I discribed without the pawn promotions being stopped by the other pieces (or pawns). So, this is fantasy positions. However, a purist WILL say, "Hey, you screwed up, I can set up a LEGAL position that your format will not support" (although not one that would ever show up in a game). However, I'm not sure it is worth it to worry about it. Opinions? KarinsDad :) PS. I also figured out something else important to this discussion, but I forgot it when I fell asleep. I hate when that happens.
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