Taylor Kingston wrote:
As I understand it, in Fischerandom the starting arrays, picked at
random by computer, are all symmetrical, like the starting array in
normal chess. Are unfair setups possible under those circumstances?


Yes, of course. The normal starting position in classical chess is
patently unfair. It would be made more fair by inserting a coin flip
for color before the first move. Or, it's possible (I don't know how to
do this) to create an asymmetrical starting position that exactly
compensates for White's first move.

Thus, it's more likely that the only *fair* starting position is
*asymmetrical*, and that all symmetrical positions are inherently UNfair.


--
Kenneth Sloan
Computer and Information Sciences +1-205-932-2213
University of Alabama at Birmingham FAX +1-205-934-5473
Birmingham, AL 35294-1170 http://KennethRSloan.com/