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Backward Induction and the Game-Theoretic Analysis of Chess

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  • Ewerhart II, Christian

    (Sonderforschungsbereich 504)

Abstract

The paper scrutinizes various stylized facts related to the minmax theorem for chess. We first point out that, in contrast to the prevalent understanding, chess is actually an infinite game, so that backward induction does not apply in the strict sense. Second, we recall the original argument for the minmax theorem of chess - which is forward rather than backward looking. Then it is shown that, alternatively, the minmax theorem for the infinite version of chess can be reduced to the minmax theorem of the usually employed finite version. The paper concludes with a comment on Zermelo's (1913) non-repetition theorem.

Suggested Citation

  • Ewerhart II, Christian, 2001. "Backward Induction and the Game-Theoretic Analysis of Chess," Sonderforschungsbereich 504 Publications 01-28, Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Universität Mannheim;Sonderforschungsbereich 504, University of Mannheim.
    • Handle: RePEc:xrs:sfbmaa:01-28
    Note: Financial support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, SFB 504, at the University of Mannheim, is gratefully acknowledged.
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ewerhart, Christian, 2000. "Chess-like Games Are Dominance Solvable in at Most Two Steps," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 41-47, October.
    2. Schwalbe, Ulrich & Walker, Paul, 2001. "Zermelo and the Early History of Game Theory," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 123-137, January.
    3. Mycielski, Jan, 1992. "Games with perfect information," Handbook of Game Theory with Economic Applications, in: R.J. Aumann & S. Hart (ed.), Handbook of Game Theory with Economic Applications, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 3, pages 41-70, Elsevier.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matros, Alexander, 2018. "Lloyd Shapley and chess with imperfect information," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 600-613.

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