Archive for the ‘Chess Variations’ Category
Some Chess Variations
May 31st, 2010 | 
Author: If you are tired of the same game of chess and want to try something new with your chessboard, you can play very fun and challenging skill games using some of the basic rules of chess and the chess pieces. A few variations of chess have been included below, but you can also make up an endless supply of games on your own!
Variation 1: Begin with Checkers
To play this variation, first set the pawns up as seen in the diagram. Begin play using pawns just as you would checkers in a game of checkers. Pawns can move diagonally and can jump each other. When a pawn is jumped, it is removed.
When pawns reach the other end of the board, they are promoted. You must promote pawns in the following fashion: At least one Rook, one Knight, and one Bishop must be promoted before promoting a Queen, then a King. Your last pawn must be promoted to King and no other piece can be promoted to King. If all your pawns make it across the board, you would end up with all the other chess pieces. If five pawns make it across the board, you would end up with a Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, and King. If only three make it across the board, you would end up with two pieces chosen from Rook, Knight, and Bishop, and the third piece would be a King.
Once pawns are promoted, they new pieces move following standard chess rules and the game ends in the standard checkmate.
Variation 2: All in the Corners
Arrange all pieces as shown in diagram.
All standard rules of chess apply except for pawn movement and pawn promotion. No pawn may ever move two spaces, and a pawn can only be promoted by reaching the opponents white corner square (the square guarded by all the chess pieces in the diagram).
This variation is very hard, because the pieces begin so clustered and you have limited move options at first. In addition, it is almost impossible to promote pawns.
Variation 3: Choose Your Favorites
In this variation, each player flanks a King by two pawns. They are each allowed three more pieces, none of which can be a Queen. These three pieces can be any combination of pieces the player wishes to choose.
Pawns can be promoted only to Queens in this variation, so they become much more valuable.
Since there are few pieces on the board with this variation, you must develop early, and strike fast. You need to wipe out your opponents pieces, including his pawns as fast as possible in order to keep him from overtaking your King!
Some chess variations actually center upon medieval situations! For example, there is a variation of chess called Peasant’s revolt. In this game, white begins with a King and eight pawns. These represent the peasants. The black pieces are King, four knights, and a pawn (knights represent the nobles).
If you researched, you could discover thousands of variations of chess that had already been thought of, and come up with thousands more on your own!
