The number of possible chess moves is estimated at 10120, surpassing the number of atoms in the universe. The calculation includes illegal moves and is named after mathematician Claude Shannon. The fewest possible number of moves in a complete game is two for each player.
The number of possible chess moves has been estimated even more than the number of atoms in the universe. The number of atoms in the universe is thought to be up to 1081, or 10 multiplied by itself 81 times, while the number of possible moves in chess is estimated at 10120. This calculation for chess moves is known as the Shannon number . Shannon’s number includes illegal chess moves and is named after the American mathematician Claude Shannon, who calculated this estimate in 1950.
Read more about chess:
The first checkerboard with alternating light and dark squares is thought to date from 1090 AD in Europe.
The fewest possible number of chess moves in a complete game is two for each player. A two-move checkmate is often referred to as a “mate’s mate” because it typically occurs only against very inexperienced or weak opponents.
It is estimated that chess games consist of 30 moves on average, and any game beyond 60 moves is considered very rare.
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