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Topic: Stanley Random Chess
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Taken from Stanley Random Chess Introduced & Explained for Beginners
Description
Despite having a long and illustrious history, Stanley Random Chess (commonly designated SR Chess), is relatively unknown in the modern era due to the fact that it flourished in exclusive clubs and under the cover of secret societies. Not to be confused with Fischer Random Chess (FR Chess), SR Chess has only recently emerged into the modern public arena, where it is presented as a chess variant. Recent historical studies published by Dr. Bill Goldman have now offered conclusive proof that in fact the more commonly played "traditional" chess is merely an inferior and simplified variant of SR Chess. For this reason common chess is usually designated in SR Chess circles as Simplified Stanley Random Chess, or Simplified SR Chess. While superficially similar to Simplified SR (Common) Chess, SR Chess is a far more advanced and complex game that requires greater skill and imagination. Unlike the more popular and simplified form of the game, it relies more on pattern recognition and sequenced moves, offering a complexity and creativity that is initially perplexing for new players, but far more rewarding. It relies less on memorization and opening theory, and leads to more exciting and creative play, with draws being relatively infrequent.
Objective
Like Simplified SR (Common) Chess, the objective of SR Chess is to win the game by checkmate. Draws can occur under the same conditions as in Simplified SR (Common) Chess, but due to the imaginative and more complex play of an SR Chess game, they are typically far less frequent, which is one of the reasons SR Chess is so appealing to players disillusioned with the number of unsatisfactory draws common in Simplified SR (Common) Chess. An SR Chess game can also be won by a Forced I.M.R. (Inferior Material Resignation) after move 30 - see further details under "Rules".
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Rules
Relation to Simplified SR (Common) Chess
The basic rules of SR Chess are identical to those of Simplified SR (Common) Chess, so I will not risk redundancy by repeating them in full. Learning Simplified SR (Common) Chess has proven helpful for some players, since a knowledge of its legal moves and some basic strategy is essential for good SR Chess play. However, the simplifications of Simplified SR (Common) Chess do impoverish the traditional game of much beauty and creativity, and can hinder the development of sound strategy. The difference lies in the fact that Simplified SR (Common) Chess has eliminated the original rigid code and rules that govern required move sequences and permissible board patterns of SR Chess. These are quite complex and attempting to summarize them will only confuse the novice, but new students of the game should familiarize themselves with the important principles enumerated below.
Random Moves
Newcomers may find the "random" part of Stanley Random Chess rather confusing. The truth is that the name is an unfortunate misnomer, because SR Chess is certainly not random. The original name of the game was Stanley Chess, but the perceived randomness by the numerous fans of Simplified SR (Common) Chess led to the unfortunate designation Stanley Random Chess. Players familiar with Simplified SR (Common) Chess typically observe apparent "randomness" in two respects:
1. Sudden/strange game moves
2. Sudden/strange game termination
What might be perceived as apparent random moves to the newcomer, is in fact the result of careful and precise play, in conjunction with an elaborate set of rules that strictly govern legal sequences and patterns. Any notion of randomness will be eliminated by a correct understanding of:
1. Legal patterns and sequences
2. Winning patterns and sequences.
1. Legal Patterns and Sequences
Legal Moves
Unlike Simplified SR (Common) Chess, the sequence and patterns of possible moves are strictly regulated by a carefully articulated body of laws, so that SR Chess has a lesser number of legal moves (approximately half). Maxwell's "Bipolar Law of Corresponding Necessities" might benefit the novice:
First Theorem of Permissible Play: "A legal move in Simplified SR (Common) Chess is not by necessity legal in SR Chess, but a legal move in SR Chess is by necessity legal in Simplified SR (Common) Chess."
First Reversed Theorem of Permissible Play: "An illegal move in Simplified SR (Common) Chess is by necessity illegal in SR Chess, but an illegal move in SR Chess is not by necessity illegal in Simplified SR (Common) Chess."
The awesome scope of the regulations that govern permissible patterns and sequences adds an element of complexity and creativity to SR Chess that is not found in Simplified SR (Common) Chess and also accounts for the apparent sudden/strange (random) moves sometimes perceived by novices.
Illegal Moves (Freezing)
Newcomers will notice that simplified captures and retreats are sometimes deemed illegal in SR Chess. When a move that is legal in Simplified SR (Common) Chess, but illegal in SR Chess, the piece in question is said to be "frozen". In some traditions, "frozen" pieces are termed "stone-walled". "Freezing" of pieces typically occurs when moves are not sequenced according to the Nubular Rule, or when a Pattern of Unbalance is created. Unfreezing a piece is possible, but is dependent on the proportion of occupied white squares relative to occupied dark squares, and subject to the Rule of Double Diagonals.
2. Winning Patterns and Sequences
Forced I.M.R.
Unlike Simplified SR (Common) Chess, SR Chess has the added dimension that after the 30th move, the "VollenHauser Sudden Death Principle" comes into play, enabling players to win the game by a Forced I.M.R. (Inferior Material Resignation), with the winner being the player with the most material. If the game has not been concluded at this point, one of the players is usually quick to create a position that requires a Forced IMR, and so it is unusual for a game to extend beyond 40 moves. Typically the number of legal moves increases in the end game, leading to faster and exciting play, greater attacking possibilities, daring sacrifices and sudden victories. This also accounts for the apparent sudden/strange (random) termination of the game sometimes perceived by novices.
VH. Conditions
The precise conditions in which a Forced IMR is allowed are too numerous and complex to enumerate here, and it can take time for novices to develop strategies to create the right pattern in which such a conclusion is allowed. A good understanding of the VollenHauser Sudden Death Principle (usually designated as "VH Conditions") is critical. The classic work by Leopold Strauss, A Re-examination of Forced Inferior Material Resignations: A Guide to Winning Play under VollenHauser Conditions (Belgrade Press, 1934), is the standard reference text on this subject. In tournaments, adjudicators will normally announce to both players at the conclusion of move 30, "The game is now under VH Conditions", which means that the VollenHauser Sudden Death Principle is now in effect. Note that before VH Conditions come into effect, all sequences and patterns that would lead to a Forced IMR win under VH Conditions are illegal, to prevent players from establishing an unfair advantage earlier in the game. The possibility of a sudden win by a Forced IMR while the game is under VH Conditions leads to very exciting and novel play, particularly after the 30th move.
Other Rules
The precise rules are far too numerous to list here, and the above rules merely introduce some of the unique aspects of SR Chess. A good grasp of the more comprehensive laws that govern legal and winning patterns and sequences is essential for expert play, but these are amply documented and explained in Samuel Worthington's fourth edition of Stanley Random Chess: The Official Player's Guide - Vol.1 "The Rules" (Vol. 2 "The Players" and Vol. 3 "Developing Winning Strategy" are also worthwhile). The close observation of expert play is one of the best ways to acquire a good understanding of the rules.
Variations
To reduce the inevitable perplexity that inevitably confronts the novice player, it is usual before the game to adopt the house rules of a popular local variation, such as the International Stanley Random Grand Prix Rules, or the Modern British Imperial Stanley Random Rules. Over 535 such variations have been documented by the ISRCA, and the appendix of their 2004 Official Stanley Random Chess Handbook summarizes the 32 more popular international variations. Due to the development of this wide spectrum of local variations, novices should not be alarmed to discover that experienced players typically engage in lengthy and lively debates about the rules and their variations in the course of a game. Note that the 1983 Genevan Revision has made it mandatory to obtain an unmoded quadrant (requiring unweighting of the light squares) for openings in tournament play for all variations. For novices and informal play it is usually replaced by the simpler "Gallican Primary Ranking Order" which allows weighted pawn play within the first ten moves.
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You're not fooling anyone, you know. My BS detector just went off the chart! But I do much appreciate the effort!  Next week, I'll enlighten you all on nuclear-capable chess...
F.
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It is understandable that you should feel that way and yours is an undoubtedly common reaction. However, allow me to expound a little further.
History
The post-graduate research of Dr. Bill Goldman (doctoral work supervised by the the late Dr. Simon Morgenstern) uncovered ground-breaking evidence that confirms the antiquity and primacy of SR Chess, from which Simplified SR (Common) Chess later descended, although the latter has enjoyed greater popularity and therefore earned the designation "Common" Chess. The name "Stanley" apparently originates from Sir Thomas Stanley (d. 1459), a descendant of William the Conqueror who excelled in SR Chess from an early age, and was also the name of the pet monkey that accompanied William during his Norman Conquest.
The name Stanley was first bestowed on the family by King William as an honorary title in memory of his beloved pet. The first mention of the game is found in historical accounts of the Ferrers family in 1137. The Stanley family apparently learned the game when they assumed the Earl of Derby title from the Ferrers in 1485. From this time, they actively promoted SR Chess, hosting annual tournaments for the Stanley Cup. In 1892, the Stanley Cup was sadly donated by the rebel Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, from which time it was used as a trophy for amateur hockey in Canada. Frederick T. Stanley, who in 1843 founded The Stanley Works, at that time a bolt and door hardware manufacturing company located in New Britain, was responsible for popularizing SR Chess in America. Directors of his company (now renowned for making fine hand and industrial tools) are still known to play SR Chess in board meetings today.
Popularity
In recent years SR Chess has not enjoyed the recognition it deserves, for several reasons. Firstly, the complex regulations governing the move patterns and sequences have been a well-kept secret limited to the circle of active players, and have largely been communicated by oral tradition. Secondly, SR Chess literature is highly specialized and not easily available to the general public. Thirdly, the game can seem perplexing to novices and the general ignorance about the well-established regulations that define play has led to its strategy being incorrectly perceived by the uninformed as "random". Fourthly, the Simplified SR (Common) Chess community has long resisted the notion that SR Chess is a predecessor that pre-dates the more common and corrupted form of the game. Fifthly, SR Chess enjoyed its heyday in private clubs and societies (like the Masons) that did not encourage public disclosure and advertising of their recreational activities. Sixthly, the members of the High Board of the ISRCA have stubbornly maintained traditions which discouraged the active promotion of the game.
Thankfully, recent times have seen a softening of attitudes among the High Board and there is every reason to expect the continued growth and popularity of SR Chess. It has a growing presence on the internet and over 950 local clubs are registered with the ISRCA, primarily in Asian countries and parts of Eastern Europe. Both the Asian, American, African and European quadrants of the ISRCA host annual week-long conventions in conjunction with their SR Chess Quadrant Championship Knock-Out, with the winners travelling to Poland for a round robin competition for the title of SR Chess World Champion. Poland also hosts the International SR Chess Olympiad every four years. The International SR Chess Monthly continues to provide a forum for the analysis of games by grandmasters and several other periods devoted to SR Chess are published by local clubs, particularly in Asia and Eastern Europe.
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Aha! My apologies for my earlier laziness. I did find an ISRCA-affiliated website after all. It seems SRC players deliberately boycott Google and several other major search engines, in order to maintain exclusivity. About an hour and a half of more in-depth querying got me to the site of the SRC-Verein at Bad Homburg, near Frankfurt am Main. It seems that is one of the few SRC clubs that actually goes out of its way to introduce the new and unaware to the game.
I ordered their rulebook online. Not that expensive really, considering it has 347 pages, with examples of play and tips from SRC grandmasters over the centuries! If I can get through the German text in time, considering all my other responsibilities, I hope to make it to Bad H. for their introductory level tournament next February.
Fascinating stuff! Thanks for pointing it out to us!
F.
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PKC chess has much, much, much simpler rules, and a less dubious history. 
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