Chess has more possible games than atoms in the universe

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Also known as the 'Shannon number,' mathematician Claude Shannon calculated that the number of possible chess games is 10^120. Meanwhile, physicists estimate there are only 10^80 atoms in the observable universe. This means you could theoretically play a completely unique game of chess every second since the Big Bang and still not even scratch the surface of possible moves.

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Chess has more possible games than atoms in the universe — STACKY / Games

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Chess has more possible games than atoms in the universe

A bigger world.One discoveryat a time.

Keep exploring

Chess pieces weren't standardized for centuries

Pushing intricately carved wooden figures across a checkered board of pure strategy

The chess variant designed to prevent endless draws

Why opening theory won’t save you from a blunder

Chess was completely revolutionized in the 15th century when a new rule granted the Queen the ability to move any number of squares in any direction, transforming her into the most powerful piece.

Chess theoretically allows for a game to last exactly five thousand nine hundred and forty-nine moves before being completely exhausted, making it the longest possible match under current standard tournament rules.

A bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.