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Transcendental Chess (TC) was invented in 1981 by Maxwell Lawrence. It inspired Fischer Random Chess which is similar but has much fewer starting positions. TC is a chess variant where the back rows of pieces is set up in a random position and the bishops are on opposite colored squares. There is no castling but there is the option of transposing two pieces on the back row only on the first move as long as the bishops remain on opposite colored squares. In Fischer Random Chess the back rows are mirror images but in TC the setup of black and white is usually different. This can create inequalities in the position. There are two ways of equalizing. One is to play a Couplet. You play your opponent two games, one as white and one as black. To win the couplet you must win at least one game and draw the other. The other way is Auction TC. In Auction TC you bid tempi for the side of the board that you want.
Orthochess opening innovations are virtually extinct, opening strategy in orthodox correspondence chess is a relic of the past, and the real orthochess battle begins when the position is practically sterile. What a contrast with Transcendental Chess, in which opening strategy is alive and well, in which the battle begins immediately in an unpredictable position, where a player is on his own from the very first move .. and where it will remain that way for the forseeable future! You will never play the same game twice. Every game is unique.
Check out TC by email to see sample positions.
Internet Chess Club- The World's Most Active Chess Club
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