Why Chess960?
Chess960 (or Fischerandom) was created by the eleventh World Champion, Bobby Fischer. It maintains the original chess flavour while bringing back the "live" creative spark.
Chess is played very differently today to how it was in the past. With computers exceeding human tactical ability and providing storage of massive game databases, we have an ever growing knowledge of chess from the beginning of the game onwards. We know which moves and strategies are good, and can learn to play them from memory.
“Chess960 is healthy and good for your chess. If you get into it and not just move the pieces to achieve known positions it really improves your chess vision.”
-- GM Levon Aronian
The time when both players actually start thinking is being pushed further and further in. The phenomenon is more pronounced with masters, but the amateur is affected to a certain degree also.
Fischer's solution was to shuffle the back row of pieces (with constraints to allow castling), giving a total of 960 different starting positions. While the idea may seem radical, actual play comes quite naturally.
Chess960 offers players the chance to once again enjoy original, creative and exciting games, without compromising the core elements of chess. It's easy to learn, and most importantly, great fun to play: Learn how!