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Subject: Re: Approximate # of Unique chess positions = (current estimated #)/4

Author: Les Fernandez

Date: 22:52:23 01/17/02

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On January 18, 2002 at 01:39:45, Chris Hull wrote:

>On January 18, 2002 at 01:25:18, Les Fernandez wrote:
>
>>Every so often this subject gets brought up and I have a thought.  Lets say that
>>the current estimated number of unique positions is designated by N.  When we
>>say number of positions we need also to take into account some symmetries that
>>exist.  If symmetry is found in more then 1 position then we actually do not
>>have N number of unique positions.  With this is mind examine the following 4
>>diagrams which were generated by my Permutator application:
>>
>>[D]k1K4R/8/8/8/8/8/8/8 w - -
>>acd 4; acn 91; acs 1; ce 32762; pv Rg8; id "-XTDa.1-";
>>
>>[D]R4K1k/8/8/8/8/8/8/8 w - -
>>acd 4; acn 91; acs 1; ce 32762; pv Rb8; id "-XTDb.1-";
>>
>>[D]8/8/8/8/8/8/8/K1k4r b - -
>>acd 4; acn 91; acs 1; ce 32762; pv Rg1; id "-XTDc.1-";
>>
>>[D]8/8/8/8/8/8/8/r4k1K b - -
>>acd 4; acn 91; acs 1; ce 32762; pv Rb1; id "-XTDd.1-";
>>
>>These 4 diagrams, although symmetrically different, are in fact the identical
>>position and contain the identical solution.  This being true implies that when
>>estimates for N are performed we need to apply the following 2 rules for
>>arriving at a much closer estimate.  #1 N/2 applies for positions that have any
>>type of castling rights and #2 N/4 for positions that have no castling rights.
>>
>>Although N remains still fairly large we are much closer to the right number
>>then how it has been estimated in the past.  Whether dividing N by 2 or 4 will
>>atleast cut the estimate by 1/2 and I suspect there are many more positions with
>>no castling rights then with.  Perhaps other symmetries exist that we have not
>>found yet,  and yes I do have some in mind <s>.
>>
>>Les
>
>
>Actually there is 8-fold symmetry in this positions (can you find the other 4?).

I think I can but do those other 4 symmetries exist for all chess positions
including pawns?? <S>.  I was not aware that the estimates took symmetries into
account.  Thanks for the info.  BTW what is the current estimate out of
curiosity?



>Also, the estimated number of unique chess position already take into account
>this reduction due to symmetry.
>
>Chris



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