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(3): confused by levik)
> (assuming the 400 figure is correct for a one-move opening)
For the record, it is correct. It is possible to move any pawn or knight to one of two squares for the first two half-moves. No other pieces can move. ((8 + 2) x 2)² = 400. After that, it gets a bit harder to do in your head. On the second move, it is possible to move more pieces - sometimes pretty far.
re(4): confused
