How many possible openings are there in the game of chess, if we define an that opening consists of each player making their first 3 moves?

(With one move there are 400 possible openings)

(In reply to re(2): confused by Cheradenine)

yeah, but your list of legal moves, (and the list of pieces for that matter) will probably change depending on the moves you "make".

otherwise the answer would be 400^3 (assuming the 400 figure is correct for a one-move opening)

Posted by levik on 2002-10-28 10:28:33