Chess has more possible games than atoms in the universe

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The absolute ultimate ego trip for chess grandmasters is knowing their little board game mathematically outnumbers the entire physical universe.

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

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The absolute ultimate ego trip for chess grandmasters is knowing their little board game mathematically outnumbers the entire physical universe. Known as the Shannon number, the estimated amount of possible unique chess games is ten to the power of one hundred and twenty. Meanwhile, the observable universe only bothers to hold roughly ten to the power of eighty atoms. So the next time you blunder your queen on move four, just take comfort in the cosmic scale of your specific stupidity.

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Chess has more possible games than atoms in the universe

A closer look

A bigger world.One discoveryat a time.

Keep exploring

Chess pieces weren't standardized for centuries

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.

The chess variant designed to prevent endless draws

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

Why opening theory won’t save you from a blunder

A bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.