January March I99L VARIANT 5 page 49

@ Copyright. I99I. Publisher and Editor G. P. Jelliss 99 Bohemia Road St Leonards on Sea TN37 6RJ (U.K.) Games Consultant Malcolm Horne 108 Windsor Square Exmouth EX8 1JU Patt-Schach Game 159 o.t.b 4 ix 1960 by Erich BARTEL I".Qe8-f5 Qe1-a7 2.Qxc2+ Patt-Schach is one of a b3xc2 3.b6xa7 el=Q 4.e8=Q number of chess variants that I (these are the two Queens just played about 30 years ago that captured) Bd3 5.Nb6 Nb3 may be of interest to readers of 6.8b4 Ra1 7.Ra8 Nd4 Variant Chess. In the new 8.Bxd2?? Nc6 mate. opening position, both players begin stalemated! Game 16I o.t.b" 4 ix 1960 zL.Kxd7 d1=Q+ 22.Kc7 1.Nh8-d5 Qel -d4 2.Rh8 (22.Qxd1 cxdl=Q+) Qxhl Qxd5 3.g8=N ( to 23.Rxf3+ Qxf3 24.BxI3 Kxf3 is not allowed, only a 25.Rf8+ Bf4+ 26.Kb6 cI"=Q is available) QxbT 27.b8=Q Qe3+ 28.Kb7 Qe7+ 4.Rxb7 eL=Q 5.Ra7 Qe4 29.Ka8 Qe4+ 30.Qb7 QxbT+ 6.Rh6 Bd3 7.97 Ke1 8.8b7 31.Kxb7 Re1 32.g8=Q Re7+ QxbT 9.Rxb7 dl=Q (these 33.Ka8 bl=Q 34.Rxf4+ Kxf4 rapid sequence captures and 35.Qf8+ Kg4 36.Qxe7 Qhl+ reappearanccs give the game a 37.Ka7 QxhS 38.97 Qg8 character quite different from (Oh7!?) 39.Qf7 bZ 40.Qxg8 Since neither player can make any other) 10.c8=B Bxh6 bl=Q 41.Qe6+ Black Resigns. a legal move, therefore both 11.Nxh6 cl=B 12.g8=R lt{c2 begin with an illegal move! 13.Rc7 Ra1 L4.Bb7 I{d4 (but no capturing and no Upside-Down Chess! 15.Kc8 Be3 L6.BxgZ Rxg2 mating!). After the first Editor's Note L7.b7 Ba6 18.Rg6 BxbT+ (illegal) move both play "Patt-Schach" is of course 19.Kxb7 20.Rgc6 Nxc6 nonnal rules, except as regards Qf3+ "-Chess", but this 21.Rxc6 Ra7+ 22.Kb8 promotion. Promotion Qxc6 suggests a game in which the White Resigns. aim is stalemate. "Stalemate- may only be made if there is a Start Chess" may perhaps be a captured piece (of the same Game 180 o.t.b. B iii 196I colour) to take the place of the more descriptive name. 1.Na8-f3 Qel 2.It{xgl game can be Pawn. If no such piece is -f4 A similar 3.Kxc7 f}xgl=Q available the Pawn has to wait, QxcT+ played from the usual opening 4.d8=N 5.Kxb6 gl=Q+ on the 7th or Znd rank. Qxb6+ positioil, using "Upside-Down 6.Kc7 e1=R 7.Qc6 8.8f5 Here are the moves of four 92 Pawns" i.e. the White Pawns 9.Kc8 10.Kxb8 games played at that time. The Qh2+ QxbS+ move down the board, and the gl=Q 11.e8=R Re2 12.8c5 first shows a danger to avoid. Black up. In this legal moves Qh2+ 13.Ka7 Kel 14.8d6 t.Na/clflh3 are available, but 15.Rx e2+ Bxe2 Game 160 o.t.b. 4 ix 1960 Qxd6 1.Nc3 forces 1...Nf6 and 2.Nb5 16.Qxh1+ Kfz 17.f8=R I".Nh8-c5?? Nhl-e5! White Qa6+ forces 2...Ne4 to stop 3.Nd6#. 18.Kb8 19.Kc8 Bf3 Resigns (2.Atry Nc6 mate). Qd6+ 1...Nh6? 2.Ne4 and 3.Nd/f6#. 20.8e4 Qd7+!! page 50 VARIANT CHESS 5 January March I99l Scotch Chess in Holland can be drawn about Scotch Chess; the most important one is that here too White has the by cM John vAN DER WIEL best chances. The reason for this I think is (from Schaaknieuws I94, L3 ix 1990) purely arithmetical. White is continuously the In general grandmasters abhor aberrant forms of tirst to take a lead of one extra move, which chess. So do I most of the time, but not in the can be seen as an average lead of half a . case of Scotch Chess. The rules are not A simple addition illustrates what I mean: after difficult: everything is as usual, except that one move White has a lead of one move (w+1). White makes one move from the initial Then after Black's two moves, Black has a lead positiotr, then Black makes two moves, then of one move (b+1"). continues as follows: White three, Black four, and so on. When you It w+2, b+2, w+3, b+3, w+4, and so on. White is your opponent this automatically becomes therefore always the first one to have the the last move of the series allowed to you. The greater lead. Horne, almost 1000 opponent has to get his out of check with fMalcolm from .lfihite.) AISE 1988 games, only 53.27o to the first move of his series. Furthermore all finds Other conclusions about the game are moves must be legal, and if you mate on your concerned with opening theory. The first last move this means that you win the game. conclusion is that here also t.e4 is the best This Scotch Chess I consider to be a really opening move. White threatens mate on t7 and nice game, during which one can sometimes get this seriously limits Black in his responses. the most brilliant ideas. The game knows a About responses to L.e4 also a lot is known: number of very unusual motifs. The most (u) 2.e6 in with most moves is spectacular of these is the "Coup Royal". An bad because of 3.d4, Bg5, BxdS; in combination example: L.d4 2.f5, I{f6 3.895, Bxf6, Kdz with 2.Nf6 it's not so good on account of 3.Qf3, 4.exf6, Kf7, 5.d5, d6, dxc7, cxdS=Q, 85, 91 Qxf6, QxdB+ this may not be as strong as QxcB and Black strikes with 6.Ke6, Kd5, Kd4, fbut it M.H.l; in combination with 2.Ne7 or Bd6, RxcB, Bf4+ ! ! look Be7 it's at least passive. (b) 2.d5 in combination with most moves is weak due to 3.Qg4, QxcB, QxdB+; in combin- ation with 2.Nd7 or Bd7 it's quite passive; as to the combination 2.d5, f5 the followitrg example illustrates a general risk of f5, White answers 3.exf5 (ideas with e1-e5 are also strong), BeZ, Bh5+!?. Now 4.96, Bxf5, Bg1, Bxdl would lose to 5.Kxd1, Nf3, Nh4, Nxg6, Ne5 mate, amongst other things. The questiotr, though, is: how is White to meet 4.96, gxh5, Bxf5, Nh6? A curious situation. White must get his King Solution at the end of the article. out of check, but can only do so by immediate- ly checkitg, which ends his series of moves! Black then simply mates in eight. What is funny is that the White response 7.e3+ is most easily taken advantage of with B.Bxe3+!, which again forces White to check immediately, after which Black has no less than ten moves at his disposal. Note also that if on his fifth move White hadn't ended with QxcB but with QxfB+, Black would have won with another Coup Royal viz: 6.Ke6, Kd5, Kd4, Na6, Nc5, Ne4+! , (c) 2.f5 is probably best combined with Nh6 and then 7.Kc1+ B.Ke5, fxgl-B, Nd2, 93, ExZ, or Nf6 (not with 3.Qh5, mate; Be3, Nb3++ mate as the prettiest tinish (ot 96?: Qxh7, Q*96 after 2.f5, e5 3.d4, Bg5, BxdB is again 7.KeL+ 8.Ke5 , 83, gxn mate). awkward). As you can see, Black doesn't have After a little experience some conclusions January March I99I VARIANT CHESS 5 page 51

an easy game in Scotch Chess!. Scotch Chess in Germany (d) At this moment 2.Nh6 combined with "Schottisch" was one of the games that Erich Nc6, c5 or a5 seems to be Black's best choice. Bartel played nearly 30 years ago (see p49). lMalcolm Horne's statistics show that in fact 1.d4 has been far rnore successful than 7.e4: Game L95 15 iii T96L win /oss Toof pts won by W l-.e3 2.e6, Be7 3.Nh3, b3, d4 4.c6, Qb6, Qxd4, 7.e4 225 4 260 46.4 Qxdl+ 5.Kxd1, Ng5, Nxf7, Nxh8, g4 6.b6, 7.d4 242 5 135 64.0 Ba6, Bb4, Nf6, Ne4, Nxf2# others 35 2 46 43.4 Total 502 11 441 53.21 postal 1962 Scotch Chess is a difficult game, don't let 1.e3 2.Nf6, Nc6 3.8c4, Qh5 , BxfT#. This must yourself be fooled. It calls for great imagin- have been played by most beginners. ative powers (and may be a useful activity because of that) and continuously present is the In a notebook dated L962 shaky balance between the safety of one's own 1-.e3 2.Nc6, e6 3.Qg4, Qg5, QxdB+ 4.KxdB, d5, King and aggression or materialism. Here's an e5, Bd7! (Not Re7? 5.8b5, Bxc6, Nf3, Ng5, NxfT#) 5.Ba6, Bxb7, Bxa8, Bxc6, BxdT 6.d4, example game, which this balance is in d3, dxcZ, cxbl=Q, Qxa1, Kx'd7 7.Ne2, OO, b3, disturbed almost unnoticeably. BbZ, Bxa1, 93, KgZ 8.h5, h4, hxg3, gxhZ, l.e4 2.e6, Bb4!? in"order to protect Qd8 hL=R!, e4, Bd6, R8h2#. 3.d, cxb4, I{h3 dubious is 3.a3, axb4, Nh3 because of 4.a5, axb4, Rxa1, Qe7! Not however Game 223 postal 20 iv L9 vii 1963 Nh6 instead of because of 5.Qf3, d4, Qe7 Qf6, L.d4 2.d5,I.{f6 3.8f4, BxcT,BxdB 4.8f5, BxcZ, Bg5, QxdS mate! 4.Qf6, Qxb2, Qxcl, Qxdl+ Bxd1, KxdS 5.84, a5, e6, axb7, bxa8=Q 6.Ne4, 5.Kxd1, b5, b6, bxc7, KcZ probably not an BcZ, e6, Be7, Bh4, BxfZ# impressive idea by White 6.Na6, Nxc7, d5, Conti n uous Progress ive Che,ss dxe4, Ke7, e5 White now has all kinds of The Continuous Tourney proposed in VC3 p35 mating constructions in eight moves, such as f4, has resulted in a few pairings being arranged. fxe5, e6, exf7, BeZ, Rf1 , Bg4, f8=Q or d1, The idea is to provide IJ.K. players with dxe5 exf7, Bc4, Rd1 but it , e6, fxg8=Q, , Qf7 practice seems to be impossible in seven moves. The following are some games already played: knight on c7 nicely thwarts the idea d4, dxe5, Bb5, Rdl", RdB, Re8. White now loses sight of 1,.e4 caution. 7.a4, a5, a6, axb7, bxaS=Q, Qxc8, (A) 2.Nc6, d5 3.Qg4, QxcB, QxdB+ 4.Rxd8, dxe4, Nb4, Nxc2+ 5.Kd1 KxcZ, Ba6, QxcT+? may look all right, but: 8.Ke6, €3, , Bxb7, Bc6+ 6.Rd7, 86, Bg7, e3, exdZ, dl"=Q# exd2, Nf6,"Rb8, Rxbl, I\ds, dl=Q mate! a (B) L.e4 2.Nc6, d5 3.8a6 , Bxb7, Bxc6+ 4.Qd7, beautiful mate would also have followed after Qxc6, QxcZ, Qxdl+ 5.Kxd1, KcZ, exd5, d6, 7.Nc3, Rb1-, RxbT , Rxa7, RxaB, RxcB, RxcT+?: dxc7 6.a5, e4,23, axbZ, bxal-=Q, Qxa}+ 7.KdL, 8.Ke6, e3, e2, exfl=Q, I.{h6, Rb8, Nf5, Nd4#. It's a hazardous game, &s this example illustrates. ft's clear that a King is safer the (A) 1,.e4 2.d5, e5 3.Q94, QxcB, QxdB+ 4.Kxd8, more room (flight squares) he has, but there's dxe4, Nf6, 96 5.d1, dxe5, Bg5 , f4, Bxf6+ no such thing as complete safety. Once you get 6.B,e7, Bxf6, Bxe5, Bxf4, c5, Re8 (Stephen says to be a bit of a natural at the game, it can very that he mislaid the Pawn on e4t. with it one well be played with the clock, e.g. 15 minutes would think a mate should be possible, but it per player. Once you master the game even seems not. AISE rules do not permit 6.Kc8, exf e.p, Bh6, RdB, Rd2, since the e.p. capture better, you would find out that a draw is a less n# must be unlikely result than one would expect at first made on the first move of the series) 7.h1, h5, hxg6, gxf7, Rxh7, bb5, fxe8=Q# glance. Have fun with Scotch Chess - but don't (B) Le1 2.d5, Nc6 3.Qg4, QxcB, QxdB+ forget real chess ! 4.RxdB, dxe4, Nb4, Nxc2+ 5.Kd1 KxcZ, Nc3, Solution: White can , mate by 5.Qe2, Qe6, Nxe4, Bb5+ 6.c6, cxb5, e5, Nf6, Nxe4, RcB+ Nc3, Nxd5 (ot Ne4), Nf6! 7.Kb3, d4, d5, d6, Bg5, Rd1 , d7# page 52 VARIANT CTMSS - 5 January March 1991

Among the early masters The followittg games are Earryfr!i{"?!/ ,ress was an African Sa'id bin Jubair given by Al-Lajlaj who was by George JELLISS (665-714) who is the first As-Suli's pupil. It is not clear A very full account of known "blindfold" player - i.e. whether they are moves of , the chess played by he played, without touching the actual games or the result of the in mediaeval times, pieces, his back to the board, analysis probably a mixture (thus also called Arab, Muslim, the moves being told to him. of both. I use the "modern" Islamic, or Muhammadan The famous caliph Harun names and letters for the Chess) is given in six chapters, ar-Rashid (763-809en) is said pieces: King (K), Fers (F), ppl 67-338, of H.J.R.Murray's to have favoured good players (A) , Knight (N), History. It is on this that my and granted them pensions. (R), Pawn (P). brief account is based. The The first books on chess The custom seems to have game is also identical in most were written from this time on, been for the two players to respects with the forms of notably by Al-'Adli (fl.840), play a series of 12 or more chess played in Europe in As-Suli (c.880-946) and Al- opening moves to build up a Mediaeval times to which kjlaj (-c.970). They do not battle affay (ta'biya) before Murray devotes a further seven survive complete, but extracts engagittg forces. In the games chapters pp452-7 55, so it is are quoted in manuscripts that follow both players use quite an extensive subject. compiled later, such as that by the "Wing" array (Muiannah): Shatrnnj is the earliest al-Baghdadi (1140eo). /Hr 6 fi[fi form of chess for which For our purposes the game i=2 r 'E/. accurate rules are known and can be played on the usual 8x8 iffi/ffi%ffit for which the moves of actual board (at that time it was i krzryjl'F;l'% games have been preserved. unchequered) with the usual l:/2, ry, ffit% We also have endgame studies pieces and opening position. %,L/% W, ',% and problem compositions. The usual moves of the pieces %B/,# B Vgl,affi The Arabs adopted the apply, except: King (Sftaft) has s%; %l game from the PersiailS, who no privileges; the only %t VZ called it Chatrang, and the move of "Queen" (Firzan) is lzE7H_V,ffiA6L are generally thought one square diagonally; the only A player who wishes to try a to have got it from where move of "' (Fil) is two game of Shatranj may get a it was called , but squares diagonally, whether the better idea of what it was like unlike Shatranj these games intermediate square is occupied by starting from this position have no literature of their own, or vacant; and Pawn (Baidaq) instead of the usual array. so we cannot be sure about has no double forward move detailed points of law relating (and so no e.p. capture) and 13.h3 a6 L4.a3 (ot L4.RbZ b5 to them. We only know that can promote only to Firzan. 15.bRtl gZ igttoring the they were broadly similar. The Knight (Faras) and Rook counterattack on the F wing The Arabs acquired chess (Rukhkh) move as usual. l15...bxc 16.bxc followed by through their conquest of The only other difference F-b3, Aa3, Na4 winning the Persia in the decades following in the rules is that, besides cP 115 ...b4 l-6.Ne2! a5 I7.h1 the death of the prophet (shah mat), stale- a4 18.Fc2! axb 19.Fxb3 RaB! Muhammad (632en), and the mate (za'id), and isolation but W can eventually bring his game quickly prospered with (mufrad), are also wins. But if F-b5 115.."Na7 leaves W time them, perhaps because other an isolated King can capture to continue his attack on the games involving dice and the last remaining opposing other wing) b5 15.cxb! axb gambling, were proscribed. The piece, this is a draw (qa'im). L6.b4 cxb L7.axb Rg7 (I7...h6 Muhammadan stricture against As-Suli valued the pieces 18.94 f*g 1"9.hxg 95 20.fxg making images was complied as: Rook L, Knight 213, Firzan hxg =) 18.Rg2 Rc7 L9.Rc2 (or with by using pieces of tl3, Fil Il4, Pawn Ll4 on I9.g4 e5 20.fxe dxe 2L.d4 e4 abstract design. centre files to L/8 at edge. 22.Nd2l) e5 (19...d5 .20.Ne2 January March I99L VARIANT CHESS 5 page 53

Ad6 zL.Nfd4 Nxb4 22.Rxc7 continues Ah3, Rf2, f5 with From this position three lines FxcT 23.Nc3 and Ndxb5 = better game) 19.Nxg4 Nhs of play are given: rZA.NeS Ne7 21..Aa3 and Ac5) Lg-.Nxg4 20.Rxg4 Ne7 2L.h5 (a) 22...Nf6 22...Ne5 (2Lg5 f*g) gxh 22.Rh4 any p3.Fe2 rB...Rh8 24.Rm. ,/,@ 23. Rxh5 followed by Rh2, gxh3 25.f6 r25...Nc6 ! 26.Nde4 Rf2, Ah3, f5. If then Black or Nd5 r25...N98 26.Nd5 2l l'/, - plays e5 White replies Rfg2, r25...N7g6 26.d4 W has the but if exf then Rgfl and Axf5 better game r23...else 24.d4 u% vt ,% with better game 20.Fe2 Ne7 cxd 25.exd N5c6 26.Rxg4 with ,A, rylB 21.Nh2 (ot Nf2) a6 (ot other, the advantage J23.d4 Nd3+ but not 2L...d5? 22.cxd exd 24.Kfl r24...Nxt5 25.Axf5 % ,%% 23.Nf3 with better game) 22. Rxf5+ 26.Nf3 (26.KeZ NxcL+ E Ff3 a5 (ot other) 23.Fg4 I{f6 drawn) Rxf3+ 27.Ke2 -24... 20.e4 (Iz}.fxe? dxe 2L.e4 fxe 24,h5 95 (24...gxh 25.Ff3 d5 cxd 25.exd Nf4 26.Rxg4 Rxg4 22.dxe Ad6 23.I{d5 Nxd5 26.f5 or cxd! with better game) 27.Rxg4 Nxh3 23.Nde4 Nxe4! 24.exd Nxb4 25.Rxc7 FxcT 25.f5! (25.f*g htg) e5 (25...exf 23,gxh3 24.Nxf6+ Rxf6 25. 26.Nxe5 Nxd5 with a P more 26.Fxf5 sacrificing Ph5 for the Rxg8 with the better game p}.else e4 Z1^Nd/hZ dsl 22.94 better game) 26.Ne4 l{fg8 24.Nxe4 h5 25.Fe2 Rh8 26. d4 t23.Na2! exd 24.Axd3 Ad6 27.Ng3 Rg7 28.FR 94 29.1{e4 NgS Rf6 (.26...9xh3 27.Nxf7 winning Pb4 t23.Ne2 dxe following with Fxg4 and the t26...R97 27.NR RhhT 28.Nh4 24.Axe3 exd 25.Axd3 f*g superior game. gxh3 29.Rg5 W retains the 26.hxg Nxg4 and will win the advantage) 27.Ne4 Rfh6 Pb4 t23.g5? Nxb4 winning) Q7...Rf7 28.f6 followed by fxe (20...Nd4 21.Nxd4 exd 13.h3 Rb7 14.Rb2Rfl 15.Rf2 Rf2) 28.Rf2 any 29.Afl White 22.Ne2 Rxc2 23.Fxc2 fxe h6 L6.g4 fxg 17.hxg g5 18.fs will bring K to c3 for Pd4. 24.Nxd4 ! exd 25 .Fxd3 !) exf 018...d5 L9.fxe Axe6 (h) 22...Rh8 22...Rfg7 2L.dxe exf 22.gxf Ah6 20.cxd Ne7 21.Ne5! Nxg4! 23.Nde4! Kf7 24.t6 Nxf6 (22...Nh5 23.Nd5 with better 22.Nxf7 Nxf2 23.dxe6 Nxdl 25.Rf1 Rg6 26.Rgf2 wins the game) 23.e5 dxe 24.fxe I\hs 24.Nxd1 118...Fe7 L9.Nd2 Knight 23.Rxg4 Ne5 24.R4g2! 25.Ad3? (correct is 25.Nd5 RfgT 20.FeZ d5 21..fxe dxc 24.R493 Nxd3+ 25.Kf1. J25... Rd7 26.Rxc6 Rxd5 and W has 22.bxc Axe6 23.Ff3) 19.gxf Nxf5 26.Axf5 Rxf5+ 27.Ke2l the advantage since his Ps I{d7 (19...Ne7 20.d4 J20... drawn (27Nf3? Rxf3+ 28.Ke2 blobk entry of the Black F) Nxf5 21".Nxg5 .2L..Nxd4le3 Ne5 winning) ps...Nxcl 26. Nf4 26.Axb5! (26.Nxb5? 22.Nxf7 Iirf7 23.Rxf6+ Kxf6 Fc2 followed by Kflg2 wins Nxd3 + 27.K- Rxb5 with better Z4.RxgB winning tZL..Rxg5 the N Nxd3+ 25.Kfl Nxf5 game) Nxe5 27.Nxe5 Re7 22.Rxg5 hxg5 23.Rxf5 with 25...Ne5 26.Fc2 followed by 28.Re2 Nxe2 29.Kxe2 Rxe5+ better game l20...cxd 21,. KeZ, Q-d5, Nde4 winning 30.Ae3 [Here the commentary Nxd4) 20.Nd2 Ne7 21.Ah3! 26.AxfS Rxf5+ 27.Rf2. breaks off.] (21.e4 Nc6 followed by Rfg7, (c\ 22...h5 23.Nde4 Rh8 Kf7, and Black can establish F 24.Ng5 Rg7 24...Rf6 25.Nce4 13.h3 Rb7 14.Rb2 h6 15.94 at dlt4 winning) 94 2Z.RlfgZ Rfh6 26.RfZ gxh3 27.Nxh3 or Rf7 16.Rbg2 Rh8 17.Nh2 Fc7 RhL and Rxh3. White plays (ot Pa6) 18.h4 fxg (18...al1y oll Nt=% Nc3 and advances d-Pawn F wing 19.h5 119...Ne7 20.hxg 3% 2s.Nf3 RggS 25...Rgh7 26.Nh4 Nxg6 ZL.gxf Nh4 22.Rn Nxf5 %vg gxh3 27.Rg5 followed by Ne4, 23.Ah3 N- 24.f5 119...95 B% Kc3, Pd4; if now Black takes 20.gxf exf 21,.f*g h*g %t% dP White replies exd and then l19...gxh 20.gxf exf ZL.Ah3 Ae3 to keep the Black F out of %;u r with better game 119...f*g %z?21 the game. Next RhL, Rxh3 26. 20.hxg Rg7 2t. Nxg4 Rxg6! ,fl4 Nh4 gxh3 27.Rxg8 NxgS! 28. 22.Nxf6+ Rxf6 and White | Rhl to follow with Fe2. Rxh3. page 54 VARIANT CHESS 5 JanuarY March L99L

Cxc3 9.Rxhl"0 Nxhl0 t0.Ra3 21.Rg4 Nh5 22.Rh4 Nd6! 23.N95 Chinese Chess CcZ 11.Ra2 Cc3 12.Nd6 Ra8 Rxe5 24.Nxf3 Rf5 25.AfL-e2 c5 by Malcolm HORNE t3.Rh2 and went on to win. 26.Ca3 Nc8 27.Nd4 Rd5? ! These games are from the News- Under UKCCA rules, used in the (Admittedly 27...R95 28.Nf3 Rd5 letter Number 2 of the Chinese postal tournament currently, it is seems to avoid the forthcoming Chess Postal Tournament, issued however no longer a as repetition and Black might still in January. Entry fee is f,4 (n in Red could decide to chase the hope to win.) 28.Cd3 Draw. UK). There are 20 players part- Cannon back and forth if content (25...R95 29.Nf3 Rf5 30.Nd4 etc icipating (including a computer). to draw! The problem is that in would follow. Under Chinese China, Hong Kong, Taiwan etc, rules chasing the Rook In this game Black's strong piece different repetition laws are in repetitively would be illegal, and sacrifice at move 8 gives Red (i.e. force. The most important rule is Red would have to vary!) White) too many problems. that the chasing of an unprotected 1.Ch3-e3 Nb10-c8 2.Ng3 Ng8 piece is not allowed except in In this game Black establishes Ca8 (usual 3.Ri1-h1 Rh10 4.e5 special circumstances. If we PlaY two united Pawns across the river here is 4...c6) 5.CbB Rb10 6.Cxg8 to simplified rules, as at present, and this eventually proves too Cxg8 7.Rh7 BcL0-e8 8.Rxg7 then a significant amount of strong. 1.c5 Bc10-e8 2.Nb1-c3 opening and endgame theorY Nd9 3.Ra2! c6!? 4.c5xc6 Rc10 becomes inaccurate for us. 5.Rd2 NfB 6.c7 !? (6.Rd6!? Unfortunately the two main expected) RxcT 7.Nb5 Rc8 9.Nxa7 Rb4 Chinese Chess organizations in 8.Cb3xb8 RxbS 10.Nc8 Rxe4+ L1.Ce3 Af10-e9 the Far East do not agree on the 12.Ni3 Nh7! (Prevents 13.Rh1 rules! One organization has a and attacks the Knight at c8.) I simpler set of rules than the other, st 4 13.Nb6 Rf4 14.Nd5 Rf7 15.Ri1- -tl but still rather complicated. In NYZ I i2 Ri9 t6.F-i2-t2 Ri9-f9! tournaments in China an exper- L 6\-',r!vA,su A 17 .Rxf7 ! (Not falling for ienced arbiter can decide, but this 17.Cxe8+? Ad8 {I7 ...Kf10? 8.."Rbz! 9.Rxg8 Rg2 10.Nh5 is not practical in the West for Rxgl 11.Ng7? (Ceding the h-file 18.Ca8!!) 18.Rxf7 RxfT after postal chess.) eases Black's task, but after say which the Cannon gets trapped.) 11.Nc3 Ci8 Red is still in L7...Rxf7 1B.Ng2 e6 19.Nc3 e5 considerable trouble.) 11...Ch1! 20.Ad L-e27! (20.Rd4!?) s6 g5! 2Z.Rd4!? (22.g4xg5!? (Not 11...Rxg5? 12 Ch3 ! Ri10 2L.Ct3 13.Rxh8 when Red is back in the CgS ! also awkward for Red) Rc7 game.) 12.Ni8?! (I2.Cd3 looks a 23.8g1-e3 g5-f5 24.Nb5 Rb7 better idea, but after IZ...Rxg5+ 25.Nd6 Re7 26.Nf7! Ch9 27.Rd6 13.Ke1 -I2 Rh2+ 14.Ke3 Cg1 e4 28.Rg6 Nf8 29.Ch3 RxfT Red is struggling badly once 30.Cxh10+ Af10 31.Re6 Ch1+ more.) I2...Rh2 (A simpler path 32.BgL f5-f4 33.Rxe8+ Ad10-e9 Rxhl Lz.*Rxg5+ 13.Aft- 34.Re5 Rh7 35.Cxhl to victory is (Black has survived a trickY eZ Rgl+ 18.Af1 RxgS+ LS.AIZ Nxh10 8.g6 Cxc4 9.Rxh10 period but now life gets easier. Rxi8) 13.Ng9+ Ke9 14.Rf8 10.Nd6 Cc5 11.Bct c6! -a3 Red's Knight is very awkwardlY Rxg5+ lS.AeZ Rgl+ Red resigns. 12.Nf7 Ch5 13.Ra2! (13 .g6xg7 uP for Rbz! threat ...Cb5) Rxbl 14.Rh2 placed and he soon gives it Rb5 15.e5 Cf5 l6.g6xg7I counterplay against Black's King.) (16.Rxh10 regains the piece but 36.Rc5 Rxgl 37.Rc10+ Adt0 This game is printed mainly to after 16.. .g7xg6 Black looks well 3B.Kdt!? Rxg2 39.Rxd10+ Ke9 illustrate a problem with the placed, So I preferred to sacrifice 40.Rxf10 Ng6 4t.Rxg10 Rxg4 UKCCA rules about repetition of for active counterplay.) 16...Nf9 42.Rg7 i6 43.a5 Nh4 44.Re7+ moves. 1.Ch3-e3 Nh10-g8 2.Ng3 l7.g8 Ct4 18.Rh4 Cf3 19.Bc1 Kf9 45.a6? Rg6 46.Rd7 (46.a7? Rh10 3.Rh1 Ch4 4.e5 Ce8 5.Cb8 Ad10-e9 20.99 Ng7 (It is now Rd6+ and Black soon mates) Nc8 6.Cxe8 Bg10xe8 7.Nf5 quite hard for Black's Cannon and Rxa6 47.Rd3 Rc6 48.8a3 Ng2 Rxd3+ Rb10!? (I found a game in a Knight to dodge attacks from the 49.Rg3 Rd6+ 50.Rd3 51.Axd3 Ne3+ 52.Af1 f3! Red Chinese magazine which went Red Rook, and the UKCCA rules -eZ resigns. (One line is 53.Bc1 tz 7...Ch3 and now Red played the repetitive chasing allowing 54.Bxe3 e4xe3 55.Kd2 Ke9! interesting sacrifice 8.Nc3 increase the chances of a draw.) very 56.Ad1 Kd9 57.AeZ fZxeZ+.) January March I99L VARIANT CHESS 5 page 55

Must-Capture Che,ss he wouldn't notice: Ng3!, Bb7 20.Rxh5 Na6 and so the by Paul NOVAK hxg3, Qc7, Rxh7, Q*g3 mate! smoke has cleared; White is a The rules are as for normal 6.94 Unfortunately these things Pawn up. chess with the modification don't happen in real life. 6...Nxg4 7.fxg4 a6 to avoid -% that you must capture if legally 'm.Q%a possible. If there are two or Bg2 8.a3 h5 pinning his eP M,ia % | more possible captures any one again 9.gxh5 gxhS 10.8b2 2%%%%) better; was may be played, but you are not Rh6 White is I fi/" f4 7Z ATnl obliged to make a capture that forced into contortions with %, %, %, %l exposes your King to check my Rooks to avoid losing %, %, %,1 material to 1.1..c4 11.Rb1 Ra7 w since this is illegal. % Wa% %) It is therefore well-nigh Welcome to the wonderful impossible to do anything at world of -pushing; "both sides lack chances " as 21.Rh3 And still trying! all lnot rnuch of an advert for Qb8!? said. the game! M.H.f as a devel- Alekhine might have Threat: 22...8h1 Rxhl" 23.Q93 - patience. oped piece can easily be made 12.h4 a5!? lnsing mate. White should now have to sacrifice itself for a pawn. 13.bxa5 Rxa5 forced the draw with: 22.Rh2 EXAMPLE GAME /fiff; Qxh2 23.c4 Qxe2+ 24.I3eZ 0 "/-,, Bg7! (not now 25.Ke3? Bc3!) A Bxe4 Correspondence 1988-9 % 25.Qc2 or with 22.e4 23.Bxa6 BbL T4.QxbL Qxbl+. L.Itla3 c6 Played to stop Nb5, % % 22.d3?? Spotting Bh1 but: A % Nxc7, Qx c7 , g3!, Qx 83, 22...B e4l Ltr.dxe4 d6(!) fxg3 +l- (Irrelevant moves in % % sequence not shown.) 2.c3 bs 24.Qxd6+ Kxd6 25.Kn Nc7 3.Nxb5 cxbS 4.f3? ! Played to White must be lost now but I allow e4 without having to didn't want to take any chances. 26.Rd3+ Ke5 27.Kf3 worry about h5, Qxh5 , etc, but weakening the el-h4 diagonal" I expected 14.Ra1 (If 14.Rc1 Bd6 28.Rxd6 Kxd629.c4 Ke5 4.,.96 Hoping to be able to get Rxa3 l"5.Bxa3 Ra6! 16.Bxe7 30.e3 Ne6 31. White resigns. I.{h6 in, and then play e6, KxeT L7 .Rc2) I4...Rxa3 hoping for h1??, Qxh4, Rxh4, l-5.Rxa3 Ba6 L6.Rxa6 Nxa6 A Editor's Note Bd6, Rxh6, Bg3 mate! As piece down, it looks as though This variant is one of the games virtually any move White plays Black is lost ...but (A) I7.Bg2 in the Alfonso X MS of l283tn. stops this, it's hoping a bit! It Nc7! The threat of 18...Ra6 is According to Murray's History may well have been better to hard to meet, e.g. 18.Nf3 (ot and Whyld & Hooper's Oxford Companion Chess was play 4...a5, threat a4 I felt it 18.8b7 Rb6! or 18.Bc1? Ra6! to it known as Juego (Forcing was a stronger move but had and White can't stop ...Ra4) forgado Game) or Juego de Doncellas fallen in love with the dark- 18...Ra6 19.BaL Rxa1 z0.QxaL (Maidens' Game), attributed to the square diagonal cheapo plan, b4 Zl.cxb4 f6 etc, and black ladies of Ultramar (Morocco); i.e. it also has just b4, cxb4, f6, and thought I could make it has the same Moorish origin as work later if he didn't notice it. Bxf6, exf6 regainittg his piece. Alquerque (see VC4 p48). After 4...a5 5.b4 axb4 6.cxb4 ...or (B) 17.Nf3 and Black has The Alquerque/ rule Rxa2 7.FlxaZ Na6 8.Rxa6 the Petrosian-like I7...Nb8!! If is stronger: a player must con- Bxa6 it looks about equal. l"8.Rh3? Black now mates by tinue capturing if able. Dawson 5.b4(!) Now I can't play Bd6 force: 18...e5 19.Nxe5 Qxh4+ applied the rules, to Black only, ever it must take the damned - 20.Rxh4 Ra6t ZLNxf7 KxfT as long ago as 191L-L2, in his bP! 5...Nh6 Still trying. Now I 22.Rxh5 Bd6 23.Rxb5 Bg3 "Black-Cap" and "Mad-Cap" pinned my hopes on play-ing mate. Zigzag problems. The game in Nf5 and keeping a straight face 14.1\f3 Rxa3 15.Bxa3 Rb6! which the stronger rule applies [not that it mattered, in a l6.Rxb5 Rxb5 17.Bxe7 (OCC attributes it to M.Charosh) correspondence game!] hoping KxeT(!) 18.Ng5 Rxg5 19.hxg5 is thus Mad-Cap Chess. page 56 VARIANT CHESS 5 January March I99I Original Problems to Sotve Judge for L99L-L992 Kjell WIDLERT

Thanks to Kjell Widlert for checking until the last move, to 70. Frederick M. MIHALEKf agreeing to be judge for the next reach a position where any legal two years compositions. The Black move White. selection of problems this month 67. Michel OLAUSSON has been put together in no l%%%7/, particular order, so read the l:% %'M % stipulations carefully. The solving i%ifui%% should be easier this month since all the composers are l%%%% economizing on pieces! 'i,,,,"" -%,,,,,'%r, 9,%l: 65. Michel OLAUSSON iruru%_%i in 3 % Herpm;ffi ii;'Aways) (b) Black (B+N) gZ + In Circe Chess caPtured men * Princess moves and caPtures as % reappear at home, if the home Bishop or Knight. is vacant. Home square for 71. Frederick M. MIHALEK %; %. square '%ffi%"Mi Knight, Bishop, or Rook is the N, %, % B or R home square of the same a Serieshelpmate in 13 colour as the capture square. A 42 Chameleon Circe Chess Pawn reappears on the Pawn e + In Chameleon Circe, a Piece square in the file of capture. % when captured transforms into a + In a Helpmate N the players different type of piece (in the co-operate in playing a series of Stalemate in 3 order N--+B+R+Q*I$ before N pairs of moves leading to a + A Stalemate in 3 problem is reappearing on the appropriate position in which Black is mated. like a Mate in 3 but with stale- square of the base line. (Thus here White moves first.) mate as the aim" White plays the + In a Serieshelpmate in N, 68. Adam SOBEY first, key move, and must force Black plays a series of N moves, --%--''%,'% stalemate of Black. The position never moving into check, and %l here is stalemate already, but it is checking White only on the last 72 '% %ts% ! White to move so he must release move, to reach a position where i 'Ni; % %, 7,41 Black before binding him again. White can mate in one move. '%l% 72. Michel OLAUSSON ,'ffi, % i 66. Erich BARTEL IE/h,%,%l

i% /% ?28 %, I | % t%, %n'%l w_%%ru) Circe Chess Serieshelpmate in 14 Neutral Berolina Pawn g7 69. Edgar HOLLADAY Series Check in 2 (4 waYs) + This amusing minimanner goes '%, 'n %,,..,1 l%, with the comments on check 1""%,a% %a%l problems (pugt 63). White plays Seriesselfmate in 8 aim being simply l:% %,. 7z % .1 two moves, the Circe Malefique Chess 1""'% %M% /%l to check Black. + In Circe Malefique, captured l?% %, %, %,,.1 + A Berolina Pawn captures bY a pieces reappear on the opponent's %B%l single step straight forward, and base line instead of their own. i'%n% moves by a single step diagonallY * In a Seriesselfmate in N, White w- % %ru--) forward (i.e. the other way round plays a series of N moves, not Helpmate in 21/z (3 ways) from the normal P). moving into check and not January March 1991, VARTANT CHESS 5 page 57

+ A Neutral can be regarded as 75. George JELLISS 78. V.A.KRIVENKO White or Black by the player % whose turn it is to move. @ % %.%.% %.% % 73. Michel OLAUSSON % % %'% %, '%. % %% % %. %. % I '% % %. %n %. %%,%%, %. % %% %%%% Serieshelpmate in 10 /M, I sent this to Fred Mihalek for % %E% | %. % %l % % twll %. ffil %. ,5 Canadian Chess Chat a few years ago but it seems it did not appear. % %_J %, %, %.'%. It is one of a set with White King Circe. kroposition %%%% and Pawn only. Serieshelpmate in t0 % %*% % 76. Nikita PL,AKSIN (a) a7+b8 (b) h2*91 Chameleon Chess The two parts of this look the Neutral Knight & Bishop same to me! - So only 1 point. Help-Interchange in 2 79. Ian SHANAHAN (b) d1++d4 "To Nigel Nettheim" + In Chameleon Chess (a new _% variant?) when R, B or N moves %, %, % /;3 /,9, to an R, B or N file it transforms Bichromatic Circe, Alfil e8 % % to the piece designated by the file. Last 8 single moves? %.%,%% [cf. "Querquisite" VC2, pZL) + I think Bichromatic here means M%%ryt + The stipulation requires two that every move in the game was % %fr%, 1% pieces to be interchanged. The between squares of opposite A?,8% % result is somewhat paradoxical ! colour. The author gives a series % 74. Peter WONG of twins according as the piece at B%%%% e8 is (u) Alfil, (b) Bishophopper %3%p% %_ l%%%% (c) , (d) Dabbaba, (e) Equi- Serieshelpmate in 23 w%%% hopper, (0 Fers, (g) General (I 80. Ian SHANAIIAN I %@% %G% take this to mean a Silver General l%%,%% from ) and (h) Happy New w=Try) ', % 1ffi, %tv% Year! But since all of these, l%%%%l "w%%% except the last, are mono- %.%,%% i%%%ru chromatic movers the solution is %%a%%/h w the same regardless. %a %, %,t w& % %' 77. Vladimir PRIBYLINEC r& %. w,a Royal Bouncer c6, Bouncer 96 % /81 Diagonal Bouncers d4, 94 CI%%,%,% ffit% % Helpmate in 4, (b) g6+f/ %%%%. %%%@ _ + A Bouncer (VC3, p31), moving %,%,%4 Serieshelpmate in L7 along Queen lines, doubles its %, ttr,@ry-l 81. George JELLISS distance from the edge, or from % another piece in line with it. e.g. %,%r%.% weTm) be ffi,tffi.8 if Bo were at t6 it would %, %, ffi,Lffit lVL,%'u/,%|/hl checking the royal Bo via a % %. %ffi/ffi., | %s% % bounce from the h-edge (like %%%% lru%%%l bouncing from a piece at "i6"). Grasshoppers l,e% %N% fAl is # Diagonal or Bishop-Bouncer Helpmate in 3 & Equihoppers Bo restricted to Bishop lines. (b) after lst move of (a) Helpmate in 5. (8x7 board) please denote c6 K, (1,4) [Solvers: by + A travels and + Giraffe = Iraper. Equi- g6 by by Bl hopper hops piece in Q, ilga captures by moves along Queen over one lines to the first square beyond any direction to the same distance one piece which acts as a hurdle. beyond. A companion for 69. page 58 VARIANT CHESS 5 January March L99L

Solutions to Original Problems in Variant Chess 4

Due to last-minute rush I made a "Undiscovered" check [A.W.I.] Two 62, M.Olausson (Sweden). number of silly errors in the neat and original ideal checkmates, 1.Kc7(Ke1) Nc7(Ke8) 2.Kf7 I

Grid Chess A.Chicco FCR ii 1954. #2 M.Charosh FCR 1955 Grid Chess, invented by Walter Helpmate in 2 Stead, first appeared in Fairy % %. '%, % August 1953, where %, #; % /,.# it was the subject for the /rtf, '/-.r 'A4 T.R.Dawson memorial tourney. %t % To play this variant a "grid" '%. % % % of lines is placed over the board, 1.Qh5 QellQelse 2.Qb5/Qd1# % % % % 1...Rf3,415,617,8 z.Qnl 517# and the only modification to the l%, %. orthodox rules is that every move %,w must cross at least one grid line. C.E.Kemp FCR x L954, #2 % W. %,% ,n ,,w /N Any arrangement of grid lines ru |ffi' % can be considered, but the original % % 1.f5 Be3 2.8e5 Rdl#. Not OOO and most popular type divides the as Bg7 is fP promoted at el. A%, M% grid" board into 16 are as 2x2. With this The following "slipped grid the Kings can never get to % % M, has no "dead" squares: the corner squares (unless put C.E.Kemp FCR L956 version with ry, ru ,8, % there by a problem composer), ,% % J.G.Ingram. Autostalemate in 27 and at the edge the King's moves '%. Tr. fr%, %, % % are reduced from 5 to 2, and % ,%, ,. '/N.r. %, l.ffiJ A away from the edge from 8 to 5, %. w% ffi ry, I so that the K is less mobile and 1.Bc3 Kd7 lKtT 2.Qd4/Qd5# ,n m lwa % less force is needed to give mate. % B% A White Pawn can never get G.P.Jelliss Chessics 3 1977, #2 m %D % % to a6 or h6, nor a Black Pawn to (corrected Chessics 7 L979) % % % A a3 or h3; and Pawns can only ,%M% progress beyond the fifth rank by % %, % % %. % %. capturing. I think the game should % ry,A ffia % % % % ffi; KI, be practical for play, but as far as /-. / ,m'E/ ffi % 1.Kf7 17.Kd7 19.Rb8 24.Rf7 I know it has hitherto only been 25.e7 26.Ke6 27 .d7 . % lhw %,m used by composers. A% t'% Review juxtapositions Strange of rk % /e, R Qu 36 Gitterschach-aufgaben pieces are possible, such as two by Rudolf Queck. (Published by Kings or King and opposing ,m % Feenschach, price unknown). This Queen, provided there is no grid % is a little collection of Grid Chess line between them, since there are 1.Nd5 Ke6,Re5/Ke5,Re6 compositions, all by R.Q., but no actions within a grid area. 2.Qg6lQt4 disappointingly containing ttr Here are some direct-mate Alternative Grids direct mate problems apart from two-movers, chosen for their Mannis Charosh (FCft viii three with special conditions. clarity in illustrating some simple 1955) noted that the number of R.Que ck Feenschach 1981 grid effects: arrangements of grid lines SeriesH# in 5 (4 ways) D.Nixon FCR viii 1953,, #2 between pairs of squares is 2l II2 '/nn/ (including the cases with all v% % % % '/l/, % '17r 2 % square edges as grid lines the ry, ttlj / = %__ -/-/,/\taft./ %,4% normal board, or with none as -w % ru z tr% % grid lines = every position % %s % % '% stalemate!). manageable ,% %r %z % A more % rh A% CI% number is obtained if a grid line ,% must cross the board from edge to % % % tu: /$r. '%; nm 'ru ,%, edge, this gives 2lL4 = L6384. %. ,% % The following problem uses a % hH % % % % minimal full-line grid that still 1.Qa3 2.Ke6 3.Ke7 4.KdB 5.Qe7 1.8e1 RdB/Rf6lKd6 allows all pieces to move from Rh8#, 1.Qa4 2.Ke6 2.Kd7 4.Ke8 2.Rd7lRe6/Bb4# the normal opening position: 5.Qd7 RhB# or same reflected" page 60 VARIANT CHESS -5 January - March 1991"

What is a ? board games is the vulnerability which involves linking units by David PRITCHARD of the king. If each player's spaced a knight's move apart. We all have a fairly clear idea of objective, or one ofhis objectives, Twixt is arguably not a chess what is meant by a chess variant. is to attack (and defend) a mobile variant. He also invented The problem is that our idea king, it is chess or a chess Pferdapfel (which decency probably does not coincide variant, otherwise it is not. Note prohibits me from translating) exactly with anyone else's. the word "mobile". If this were where two knights are moved There are a lot of games of omitted it would let in an around a according to course that all of us would agree avalanche of games far removed certain simple rules. Pferdapfel is on: Rifle Chess is a chess variant, from chess. arguably a chess variant.) Monopoly is not. The difficulty J.J.Secker concurs but adds a It would be possible to arises with those games that stand second factor: the infinite move appoint a panel to rule on what uncertainly on the periphery, (as the Q, R and B in the game is, and what is not, a chess having some genes that are orthodox game, where the board variant, but panel members, indisputably of Caissic origin limits define the extent of the however distinguished, would combined with others that are move). Another factor commonly have to agree some sort of indisputably not. advanced is that of pieces with criteria, which takes us back to For example, most people different powers of movement and where we were. No better would would I think agree that Draughts capture, a feature found in no be some legal phrasing like "in is not a chess variant, but one or other ancient game. the judgement of any informed two authorities think otherwise. Jerzy Gizycki, the Polish and reasonable citizen". They point out that Draughts was lexicographer, advances a If you don't agree, have a shot invented about the 13th century, composite definition of a variant: at drafting a definition that probably as a sort of simplified (1) A between oppo- includes all games that you chess, based on the standard sing forces, (2) The opponents consider to be chess variants, and chessboard and the fers, or queen, make one move per turn, (3) The excludes all games you consider which at that period moved one aim is to capture (checkmate) not to be. I wish you luck. square diagonally. I've even met your opponent's principal piece. In the end, the only secure Draughts players who considered On the face of it a valid definition seems to be a Chess to be a Draughts variant, an definition. But wait a moment: if subjective one: a chess variant is aberration misguidedly supported we accept Gizycki's definition, we what you think it is. by the Egyptian government who must drop Progressive and Mars- D.B.P. 2 vii L990 many years ago issued a postage eillais chess for a start. And that Editor's Note stamp depicting Senet, the ancient requirement to checkmate your This item by David Pritchard game of the Pharaohs (the rules opponent's king - doesn't that was sent before my article on of which are unrecorded) and effectively rule out Losing "The Royal Game" appeared, and naming it Draughts. (Giveaway) chess as a variant? so covers some of the same area. So let's see if we can come up Try again. I posed the Some further comments by him with a satisfactory definition. question "What is a chess appear among the correspondence What is meant by Chess is the variant?" to Alex Randolph, the on the following pages. first question, and an easy one: world's foremost and most prolific Over the Christmas period I the game as laid down by F.I.D.E. games inventor. "Any Game," he made a lot of progress in putting @ven here we have to be a little instantly replied, "that includes my untidy manuscript notes into cautious, for in Japan Chess is the knight". Facile perhaps, but the word processor to prepare a sometimes referred to as Western worth considering. Mathematic- Guide to Variant Chess (on the Shogi, whilst in China chess is ians have long understood the lines of Anthony Dickins' Guide the indigenous form of the game, concept of the knight's move to ). I hope to publish . Still, our definition is outside chess, but in game terms it later this year, but there is watertight.) the knight is, or at least was until much still to do. It seems that Many attempts have been quite recently, exclusive to chess. David's ambitious Encyclopaedia made to define a variant. David (Could this definition possibly of Chess Variants will not appear Hooper amongst others has disclose a prejudice? Alex is the until 1992 at least. suggested that the factor that inventor of Twixt, for the last 20 The following item is based distinguishes chess from other years a best-selling strategy game on the "Variant Chess" entrv. January - March 199L VARIANT CHESS - 5 page 6L

Types of Variant Chess new piece can be introduced into Correspondence by George Jelliss the orthodox game in several "The Royal Game" VC4, p37-39, By a variant chess we mean any ways, thus producing a whole provoked much response, summarised type of (at least theoretically) range of chess variants. here. (Also some further views on playable chess differing from the In the absence of any Draughts, following VC3, p36 and orthodox. The change may be in statement to the contrary, the VC4, fr8.) Sorry if I have cut some comments short, but space is limited. just one rule: a monovariant (e.g. assumption among problemists is fEditors responses thus.f Grid Chess, Checkless Chess, that any fairy piece in a diagram py chance, I also came across some Cylinder Chess, Must-Capture has arisen as a result of pro- items on the status of stalemate in Chess, Rifle Chess the is motion of a pawn (but this does - list of. l94O-41: vast, and provides the principal not work in all cases, e.g. the In "The Stalemate Fallacy" (xii 1940, supply of material for the Equihopper). p390-1) T.H.Tylor advocated that the continued flourishing of our Gamers would probably prefer player who should win. magazine) or the changes may be the new pieces to be present from L.Illingworth (ii 1941, p39) said that in almost all of the rules: a the start ofplay. This can be done when he leamt the game the opposite multivariant (e.g. Shogi, Chinese by substituting the piece for one rule that the stalemated player wins Chess, Ultima, Escalation). or more of the orthodox men. was still current in his family; and as in article, that if The consequences of a rule- This results in a New King, New noted, I did my stalemating wins then capture of the change can often be more far- Queen, New Rook, New Bishop, King could just as well be the aim. reaching than may appear at first New Knight or New Pawn Chess. J.E.Richardson (ii 1941, p40) pro- sight, and a single rule may need Alternatively the new men can be posed an interesting points system: for added to the usual forces. to be supplemented to account 6-0 for checkmate, 5-1 for stale- new situations that can now arise Other methods of introducing mate, 4-2 for material superiority that are not covered by the new pieces are also possible, e.g. against lone king, and 3-3 for draw. a holding them reserye orthodox canon. For example, simply in lPaul Novak:27 vi 90. Draughts: is question that often arises is what and placing them when rules it a CV? I say no; it doesn't have, (L) happens to a Pawn moved to a permit (as in Shogi or Pocket a line of soldiers along one rank who back rank? Does it have its usual Knight Chess) or allowing thern move 1 step forwards, and promote, single-step move and capture, can to materialize under specified (2) A king, positioned in the middle it make a double step, or is it conditions (e.g. Double-guard of the first rank, who moves 1 step, simply a powerless Dummy, or promotion). and whose capture would forfeit the game, (3) Rooks (originally ) does it promote? (Another case is Another major class of games in the comers that move in a straight where the King is given a long- are promotion variants, made line (in Shogi this mutated a bit), (4) range move: It may or may not be possible by changes to the rules Next to them, horses who move one allowed to pass through check). of Pawn promotion. square orthogonally and then diagon- There is no one "right" answer. Question naire Response ally forwards. Each possible interpretation leads The questionnaire sent out with Surther: 8 x 90. It is a small point to a different subvariant. VC4 resulted in a good response. but I would take issue with your Some variants are not really A preliminary analysis shows: (a) statement that Vinciperdi is more practical games but may provide All readers have played orthodox draughts than chess - to my mind opportunities for problem or chess, but only U2 are currently this is rather like saying that a bat puzzle composition or theory. active, mainly o.t.b, and only a must be a bird because it flies. If you Gamers should not however mighty handful admit to a grade. consider penguin, killer whale, shark and ichthyosaur, all look rather dismiss them on this account; it (b) About 215 play variants, and they alike (streamlined shape, black with may be that only a slight extra 215 partake of problems (1/5 of white underbelly), have similar diets modification will provide a these do both), what the other 2/5 and could swim pretty fast. But one playable game (e.g. Reflex Chess do I'm not sure! (c) Every reader is a bird, one a mammal, one a fish practical is probably a much more has his own special prefered and one a dinosaur. Their similarity game than plain Misdre Chess, variants that no one else wants to in appearance is caused by their need although Selfmate problems are play. This makes pairing difficult! to adapt to their environmental niche well established almost (d) There was a good vote pro in the ecosystem - a tendency orthodox). morc pttzzles, hence page 64. (e) Darwin called "convergence". But An important class of games Only seven votes for a meeting, they are still from different species. are the new-piece variants. Any preferably near the voter's home. Thus, in my opinion, if you looked at page 62 VARIANT CTTESS -5 January - March L991,

an "evolutionary tree" of boardgames, ary, survival of the best ideas. If a meet the arrogant qualification (4). it might look like this: bird loses its power of flight, it is We also must apply some common (a) Main line: still a bird, because of its evolut- sense. For example, Fox & Geese Modern CVs ionary pedigree. For this reason I qualifies arguably under (2) and ChEss wouldn't agree with you that "in under (3), but I don't think anyone Mediaeval Cfiess Variants general a royal piece can have moves would contend that it is a CV. Shat?ani of any kind, not just those of the It seems to me that any attempt Xiang -Qi - - -Chafurungu- - -S ho gi orthodox king" - in all forms of to arrive at a more-or-less precise [Protochess] chess the king has only ever been definition of a CV enters the absurd. (b) Branch line: able to move one square. After struggling for an acceptable Hypercube Drapghts lDavid Pritchard: 9 x 90. Off-the- definition for a couple of years, I 9-Men'J Morris +lq'u;tque cuff comment on your editorial VC4: cannot do better than advance the Noughts\& Ciosses I am afraid I cannot concur with your view thjat a CV is a game that is (r) Another Branch: view that the one essential element of evidently derived from or inspired by Ludo chess is the presence of a royal piece. chess. In short, judgement on whether Plchisi NftO You define "royal" as a piece that a game is or is not a CV must ultim- EgyptiunAican Rfce Games cannot be left "en prise". This is to ately be subjective. Inevitably there fEditor has added items, e.g. his an extent academic; if we simply will be a penumbra of games on game Hypercube from Games and ended the game when the king was which no consensus can be reached. Puzzles Journal 1987, p20, and has taken (as it was in chaturanga) then lKen Whyld: ?5 x 90. Your article omitted a questionable connection the only difference, as you say, set me thinking about the similarities from Alquerque to Protochess.f would be that a stalemate would rank and differences befween your quest It is after all unlikely that there was as a loss for the stalemated player - now and mine in BCM a year ago. I one original game from which all justice indeed, as many have argued. was trying to formulate a method of board games are descended. Vinci- fAs many have argued the opposite.f determining exactly when, in the perdi has lost its royal piece but it is The are indivisible; it course of the evolution that produced only convergence which makes it is no more nor less a violation of chaturanga, could we say yes, this is look like a draughts variant. these rules to leave your king in now proto-chess. You are trying to fReply: 12 x 90. Your "evolutionary" check than to move a knight like a define the point at which a variant arguments about games are inter - bishop. lOne is resignation the other ceases to be chess. On the face of it, esting but there is a major difference desperationlf the answers to both questions ought between games and lrfe -forms in that To define a CV we need first to to be similar, but I am not sure. I am games cannot really become define chess. [Or the essence ofchess afraid I took a cavalier attitude by extinct they can only go out of common to all CVs.) Without getting saying that variants are chess if we fashion, or be forgotten for a while bogged down in the argument as to say they are. Even so, I am not sure also they are more easily subjected to precisely which chess we are defining what benefit it is to decide if the equivalent of "biological engin - (the FIDE version?) we can separate Vinciperdi is or is not chess. My eering" i.e. Dr Frankenstein can the principal elements of the game purpose was to tackle the question of easily put together bits of Chess, (there are others less important): (1) the originator of chess. It seems to Monopoly, Poker and Tiddlywinl