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Chess with different armies

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chess with different armies (or Betza's Chess[1] or Equal Armies[2]) is a chess variant invented by Ralph Betza in 1979. Two sides use different sets of fairy pieces. There are several armies of equal strength to choose from, including the standard FIDE army. In all armies, kings and pawns are the same as in FIDE chess, but the four other pieces are different.

Rules and armies

[edit]

Before the game players choose their armies in a certain way, predefined by tournament rules. This can be done either randomly or secretly by both players. Each player has a choice of 4 armies:[3] the Fabulous FIDEs, which are the standard chess pieces, the Colorbound Clobberers, the Nutty Knights, and the Remarkable Rookies.

All armies are designed to be equal in strength but have significantly different properties. Kings and pawns move the same as in chess for all armies. Pawns can only promote to pieces of either army on the board at the start. Castling is done as in standard chess with the exception of the case when the rook replacement is colorbound, like in the Colorbound Clobberers army. In the latter case, the king, when castling long, moves to b1, and the rook replacement to c1. This is so that colorbound pieces do not change square color.

a5b5c5d5e5
a4b4 black circlec4d4 black circlee4
a3b3c3 white bishopd3e3
a2b2 black circlec2d2 black circlee2
a1b1c1d1e1
Ferz (notation F).
a5 black circleb5c5d5e5 black circle
a4b4c4d4e4
a3b3c3 white bishopd3e3
a2b2c2d2e2
a1 black circleb1c1d1e1 black circle
Alfil (notation A), can jump.
a5b5c5d5e5
a4b4c4 black circled4e4
a3b3 black circlec3 white upside-down rookd3 black circlee3
a2b2c2 black circled2e2
a1b1c1d1e1
Wazir (notation W).
a5b5c5 black circled5e5
a4b4c4d4e4
a3 black circleb3c3 white upside-down rookd3e3 black circle
a2b2c2d2e2
a1b1c1 black circled1e1
Dabbaba (notation D), can jump.

Many pieces in the following armies are combinations of standard chess pieces and 4 fairy pieces: ferz, alfil, wazir and dabbaba (see their movement diagrams above). The game can be played with standard chess pieces, and the following move diagrams use standard pieces as well (except queens).

Colorbound Clobberers

[edit]

In this army, rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:

abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
e6 black circle
g6 up-right arrow
d5 up-left arrow
f5 up-right arrow
c4 black circle
e4 white rook
g4 black circle
d3 down-left arrow
f3 down-right arrow
c2 down-left arrow
e2 black circle
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Bede (notation BD). Moves as bishop or dabbaba. Can jump for dabbaba moves.
abcdefgh
8
c6 black circle
g6 black circle
e5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white knight
f4 black circle
e3 black circle
c2 black circle
g2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Waffle (notation WA). Moves as wazir or alfil, hence the name. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
c6 black circle
e6 black circle
g6 black circle
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
c4 black circle
e4 white bishop
g4 black circle
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
c2 black circle
e2 black circle
g2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
FAD (notation FAD). Moves as ferz, alfil or dabbaba, hence the name. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
g6 up-right arrow
c5 black circle
d5 up-left arrow
f5 up-right arrow
g5 black circle
e4 white archbishop
c3 black circle
d3 down-left arrow
f3 down-right arrow
g3 black circle
c2 down-left arrow
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Cardinal (notation NB). Moves as bishop or knight. Can jump for knight moves.

As mentioned, when using this army and castling queenside, the king moves three squares (from e1 to b1) and the bede moves from a1 to c1.

Nutty Knights

[edit]

This army includes a lot of leapers, but most of them have asymmetrical move patterns, with backward moves being restricted.

abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
e6 up arrow
e5 up arrow
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white rook
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Charging rook, originally furlrurlbakking (notation frlRrlbK), moves forward and sideways as a rook, or backward as a king.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
e4 white knight
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Fibnif (notation fbNF). Moves as ferz, or as a knight for its two vertically longest forward and backward moves. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
g5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white bishop
f4 black circle
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Charging knight, originally forfnibakking (notation fhNrlbK). Moves as king backward and sideways or as a knight forward. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
d6 black circle
e6 up arrow
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
d5 black circle
e5 up arrow
f5 black circle
g5 black circle
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white queen
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Colonel, originally forfnifurlrurking (notation fhNfrlRK). Moves as king, or as rook forward and sideways, or as knight forward. Can jump for knight moves.

Remarkable Rookies

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:

abcdefgh
8
d8 left arrow
e8 left arrow
f8 left arrow
g8 left arrow
h8 white rook
h7 down arrow
b6 up arrow
h6 down arrow
b5 up arrow
h5 down arrow
b4 up arrow
h4 down arrow
b3 up arrow
a2 left arrow
b2 white rook
c2 right arrow
d2 right arrow
e2 right arrow
f2 right arrow
b1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Short rook (notation W4). Moves as rook, but not more than 4 spaces.
abcdefgh
8
e6 black circle
e5 black circle
c4 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white knight
f4 black circle
g4 black circle
e3 black circle
e2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Woody rook (notation WD). Moves as dabbaba or as wazir. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
e7 black circle
e6 black circle
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
b4 black circle
c4 black circle
e4 white bishop
g4 black circle
h4 black circle
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
e2 black circle
e1 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Half duck (notation HFD). Moves as threeleaper or kirin. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
d6 black circle
e6 up arrow
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
e5 up arrow
g5 black circle
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white chancellor
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
c3 black circle
e3 down arrow
g3 black circle
d2 black circle
e2 down arrow
f2 black circle
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Chancellor (notation RN). Moves as rook or knight. Can jump for knight moves.

Unofficial armies

[edit]

The four armies described above were playtested by Ralph Betza and selected as the most balanced ones. There are other armies, invented by Betza and other people, some of which are presented here.

In the initial version of the game, there were 8 armies[1] and, in these armies, the king moved differently from the king in the standard chess. Instead of normal pawns, fairy pawns could be selected – for example, Berolina pawns. However, later Betza abandoned the idea of using fairy pieces for king and pawns[4] and reduced the number of armies to four.

All-Around Allstars (Ralph Betza)

[edit]

This army is made of one piece from each of the main armies. Out of the 12 eligible combinations, as the FAD from the Colorbound Clobberers is considered too strong for a Bishop equivalent and the Cardinal from the same army too weak for a Queen equivalent, Ralph Betza considers the following to be the "official" all-star team. The rooks, knights, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[5]

abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
e6 up arrow
e5 up arrow
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white rook
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Charging rook (notation frlRrlbK), from the Nutty Knights army.
abcdefgh
8
c6 black circle
g6 black circle
e5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white knight
f4 black circle
e3 black circle
c2 black circle
g2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Waffle (notation WA), from the Colorbound Clobberers army.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
g6 up-right arrow
d5 up-left arrow
f5 up-right arrow
e4 white bishop
d3 down-left arrow
f3 down-right arrow
c2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Bishop (notation B), from the Fabulous FIDEs army.
abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
d6 black circle
e6 up arrow
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
e5 up arrow
g5 black circle
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white chancellor
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
c3 black circle
e3 down arrow
g3 black circle
d2 black circle
e2 down arrow
f2 black circle
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Chancellor (notation RN), from the Remarkable Rookies army.

Amazon Army (Ralph Betza)

[edit]

In this army, rooks and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[6]

abcdefgh
8
d8 left arrow
e8 left arrow
f8 left arrow
g8 left arrow
h8 white rook
h7 down arrow
b6 up arrow
h6 down arrow
b5 up arrow
h5 down arrow
b4 up arrow
h4 down arrow
b3 up arrow
a2 left arrow
b2 white rook
c2 right arrow
d2 right arrow
e2 right arrow
f2 right arrow
b1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Short rook (notation W4). Moves as rook, but not more than 4 spaces. This piece is also in the Remarkable Rookies army.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
e8 up arrow
b7 up-left arrow
e7 up arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
d6 black circle
e6 up arrow
f6 black circle
g6 up-right arrow
c5 black circle
d5 up-left arrow
e5 up arrow
f5 up-right arrow
g5 black circle
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 A l
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
c3 black circle
d3 down-left arrow
e3 down arrow
f3 down-right arrow
g3 black circle
c2 down-left arrow
d2 black circle
e2 down arrow
f2 black circle
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
e1 down arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Amazon (notation WWFFN). Moves as queen or knight.

Cylindrical Cinders (Ralph Betza)

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[7]

abcdefgh
8
b6 black circle
f6 black circle
h5 black circle
a4 black circle
g4 black circle
h4 white rook
h3 black circle
b2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Cylindrical Waffle (notation oWoA). Moves as wazir or alfil on a cylinder. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
a6 black circle
g6 black circle
b5 black circle
f5 black circle
h4 white knight
b3 black circle
f3 black circle
a2 black circle
g2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Cylindrical Knight (notation oN). Moves as knight on a cylinder.
abcdefgh
8
c8 black cross
b7 up-right arrow
d7 up-left arrow
a6 up-right arrow
e6 up-left arrow
f5 up-left arrow
h5 up-right arrow
g4 white bishop
f3 down-left arrow
h3 down-right arrow
a2 down-right arrow
e2 down-left arrow
b1 down-right arrow
d1 down-left arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Cylindrical Bishop (notation oFF). Moves as bishop on a cylinder. The position with an x can be reached in 2 different ways.
abcdefgh
8
h8 up arrow
h7 up arrow
a6 black circle
g6 black circle
h6 up arrow
b5 black circle
f5 black circle
h5 up arrow
a4 left-right arrow
b4 left-right arrow
c4 left-right arrow
d4 left-right arrow
e4 left-right arrow
f4 left-right arrow
g4 left-right arrow
h4 white chancellor
b3 black circle
f3 black circle
h3 down arrow
a2 black circle
g2 black circle
h2 down arrow
h1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Cylindrical Chancellor (notation oWWoN). Moves as rook or knight on a cylinder. Can jump for knight moves. The horizontal line can be reached from both directions.

Fighting Fizzies (Peter Aronson)

[edit]

In this army, the left rook, the right rook, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[8]

abcdefgh
8
d6 up-left arrow
f6 up arrow
c5 left arrow
d5 black circle
e5 black circle
f5 black circle
g5 up-right arrow
d4 black circle
e4 white rook
f4 black circle
c3 down-left arrow
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
g3 right arrow
d2 down arrow
f2 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Left Single-Step Rhino (notation WF(mW-flF)(mF-flW)), on the left. Steps one square in any direction, then, if the first square is empty, may turn 45 degrees to the left, and move one more square.
abcdefgh
8
d6 up arrow
f6 up-right arrow
c5 up-left arrow
d5 black circle
e5 black circle
f5 black circle
g5 right arrow
d4 black circle
e4 white rook
f4 black circle
c3 left arrow
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
g3 down-right arrow
d2 down-left arrow
f2 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Right Single-Step Rhino (notation WF(mW-frF)(mF-frW)), on the right. Turns 45 degrees to the right instead.
abcdefgh
8
e7 up arrow
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
e5 black circle
b4 left arrow
e4 white knight
h4 right arrow
e3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Gnohmon (notation vNvWnH). Moves as knight for its longest moves, as wazir vertically or slides 3 squares in orthogonal directions. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
c6 up-left arrow
d5 up-left arrow
e5 black circle
g5 black circle
e4 up-left arrow
g4 up-right arrow
f3 white bishop
d2 black circle
e2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
h2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Crabinal (notation fNbsNhhB). Moves as knight for the longest forward and shortest backward moves, or as bishop for half the distance to the edge of the board. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
e8 black cross
d7 up-left arrow
f7 up-right arrow
e6 black cross
b5 up-left arrow
d5 up-left arrow
e5 black circle
f5 up-right arrow
h5 up-right arrow
a4 black cross
c4 black cross
d4 black circle
e4 white queen
f4 black circle
g4 black cross
b3 down-left arrow
d3 down-left arrow
e3 black circle
f3 down-right arrow
h3 down-right arrow
e2 black cross
d1 down-left arrow
f1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Eagle-Scout (notation WzFF). Moves as wazir or as crooked bishop. Positions with an x can each be reached in 2 different ways.

Avian Airforce (Ralph Betza)

[edit]

In this army, the rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[9]

abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e6 up arrow
e5 black circle
a4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 black circle
e4 white rook
f4 black circle
g4 right arrow
e3 black circle
e2 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Wader (notation WDD). Moves as wazir, or makes consecutive dabbaba moves (Dabbaba rider moves). Can jump between dabbaba moves.
abcdefgh
8
d7 black circle
f7 black circle
e6 black circle
d5 black circle
e5 white knight
f5 black circle
e4 black circle
c3 down-left arrow
g3 down-right arrow
a1 down-left arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Darter (notation fNWbAA). Moves as wazir, as knight for its 2 most forward moves and can make consecutive alfil moves backwards. Can jump between alfil moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
c6 up-left arrow
g6 up-right arrow
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
e4 white bishop
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
c2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Faalcon (notation FAA). Moves as ferz, or makes consecutive alfil moves. Can jump between alfil moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
e8 up arrow
c6 up-left arrow
e6 up arrow
g6 up-right arrow
d5 black circle
e5 black circle
f5 black circle
a4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 black circle
e4 white queen
f4 black circle
g4 right arrow
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
c2 down-left arrow
e2 down arrow
g2 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Flying Kingfisher (notation WFAADD). Combines the moves of the Wader and the Faalcon.

Spacious Cannoneers (Ralph Betza)

[edit]

In this army, the rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[10]

abcdefgh
8
e8 black rook
e6 black pawn
e4 black circle
a3 left arrow
b3 left arrow
c3 left arrow
d3 black circle
e3 white rook
f3 black circle
g3 right arrow
h3 right arrow
e2 black circle
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Mortar, on the left. Moves and captures as wazir or a rook that must stop one space before any piece. Can leap over the first piece in an orthogonal line and capture the next piece on that line (here the black rook can be captured).
abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
e6 black pawn
e4 black circle
a3 left arrow
b3 left arrow
c3 left arrow
d3 black circle
e3 white rook
f3 black circle
g3 right arrow
h3 right arrow
e2 black circle
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Howitzer, on the right. Moves and captures as wazir or a rook that must stop one space before any piece. Can leap over the first piece in an orthogonal line and land on any free space after it but before a second piece.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
e5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white knight
f4 black circle
e3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Napoleon (notation vNW). Moves as wazir or as knight for its longest moves. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 black pawn
g6 up-right arrow
f5 up-right arrow
e4 white bishop
d3 down-left arrow
f3 down-right arrow
c2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Carronade. Moves as bishop but must stop one space before any piece. Can leap over the first piece in a diagonal line and then continue as a normal bishop.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
e8 up arrow
b7 up-left arrow
e7 black pawn
h7 up-right arrow
c6 black pawn
g6 up-right arrow
e5 black circle
f5 up-right arrow
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 black circle
e4 white queen
f4 black circle
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
d3 down-left arrow
e3 black circle
f3 down-right arrow
c2 down-left arrow
e2 down arrow
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
e1 down arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Big Bertha. Combines the moves of the Howitzer and the Carronade.

Forward FIDEs (Ralph Betza)

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[11]

abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
e6 up arrow
e5 up arrow
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white rook
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Charging rook (notation fsWWbFW). Moves forward and sideways as a rook, or backward as a king. This piece is also in the Nutty Knights army.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
g5 black circle
e4 white knight
d3 down-left arrow
f3 down-right arrow
c2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Knishop (notation fhNbFF). Moves forwards as knight or backwards as bishop. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
g6 up-right arrow
d5 up-left arrow
f5 up-right arrow
e4 white bishop
c3 black circle
g3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Bishight (notation fFFbhN). Moves forwards as bishop or backwards as knight. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
e8 up arrow
b7 up-left arrow
e7 up arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
e6 up arrow
g6 up-right arrow
d5 up-left arrow
e5 up arrow
f5 up-right arrow
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white queen
f4 right arrow
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
c3 black circle
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
g3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Forequeen (notation fsWWfFFbhNWF). Moves forwards or sideways as queen, or backwards as a king or knight. Can jump for knight moves.

Pizza Kings (John Lawson)

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[12]

abcdefgh
8
c6 black circle
g6 black circle
d5 black circle
e5 black circle
f5 black circle
c4 black circle
e4 white rook
g4 black circle
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Pepperoni (notation sDfAvWF). Moves as ferz, horizontally as dabbaba, vertically as wazir or forward as alfil. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
b5 black circle
h5 black circle
e4 white knight
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Mushroom (notation vNfsCbF). Moves forwards as knight for its longest moves, backwards as ferz or as camel for its shortest forward moves. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
e7 black circle
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white bishop
f4 black circle
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
e1 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Sausage (notation sWFvNvH). Moves as ferz, horizontally as wazir, as knight for its longest moves or jumps 3 squares vertically. Can jump for all moves.
abcdefgh
8
c6 black circle
d6 black circle
e6 black circle
f6 black circle
g6 black circle
d5 black circle
e5 black circle
f5 black circle
c4 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white queen
f4 black circle
g4 black circle
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
c2 black circle
e2 black circle
g2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Meatball (notation FWADfN.). Moves as king, alfil, dabbaba or as knight for its 2 longest forward moves. Can jump for all moves.

Meticulous Mashers (Ralph Betza)

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[13]

abcdefgh
8
d8 left arrow
e8 left arrow
f8 left arrow
g8 left arrow
h8 white rook
g7 black circle
h7 down arrow
b6 up arrow
h6 down arrow
b5 up arrow
h5 down arrow
b4 up arrow
h4 down arrow
a3 black circle
b3 up arrow
c3 black circle
a2 left arrow
b2 white rook
c2 right arrow
d2 right arrow
e2 right arrow
f2 right arrow
a1 black circle
b1 down arrow
c1 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Forfer (notation FR4). Moves as ferz, or up to 4 spaces as rook.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
e4 white knight
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Fibnif (notation fbNF). Moves as ferz, or as a knight for its two longest forward and backward moves. This piece is also in the Nutty Knights army.
abcdefgh
8
b7 up-left arrow
c6 up-left arrow
d5 up-left arrow
f5 up arrow
h5 up-right arrow
e4 up-left arrow
g4 up-right arrow
d3 left arrow
f3 white bishop
h3 right arrow
e2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
d1 down-left arrow
f1 down arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
B4nD (notation B4nD). Moves up to 4 spaces as bishop, or exactly 2 spaces as rook.
abcdefgh
8
d7 black circle
f7 up arrow
h7 black circle
f6 up arrow
b5 black circle
e5 black circle
f5 up arrow
g5 black circle
d4 black circle
f4 up arrow
h4 black circle
b3 left arrow
c3 left arrow
d3 left arrow
e3 left arrow
f3 white queen
g3 right arrow
h3 right arrow
d2 black circle
f2 down arrow
h2 black circle
b1 black circle
e1 black circle
f1 down arrow
g1 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
N2R4 (notation N2R4.). Moves up to 4 spaces as rook, or makes up to 2 consecutive knight moves in the same direction. Can jump for knight moves, but the first must end on an empty space to be able to make a second one.

Seeping Switchers (Jörg Knappen)

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[14]

abcdefgh
8
e7 up arrow
e5 up arrow
b4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white rook
f4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
e3 down arrow
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Panda or Slip Rook (notation (W-DD)). Moves as rook, but only to squares of color opposite to that on which it stands. Can jump over squares it cannot move to.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
e5 black circle
g5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white knight
f4 black circle
c3 black circle
e3 black circle
g3 black circle
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Marquis (notation NW). Moves as knight or wazir. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
b8 up-left arrow
h8 up-right arrow
a7 up-left arrow
c7 up-left arrow
g7 up-right arrow
b6 up-left arrow
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
g5 black circle
e4 white bishop
f4 black pawn
c3 black circle
g3 black circle
b2 down-left arrow
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
a1 down-left arrow
c1 down-left arrow
g1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Unicorn (notation N(mW-FF)). Moves as knight, then may continue as bishop. Can jump for the knight moves, but longer moves require the corresponding wazir square to be empty. In this case, the unicorn may jump to g3 and g5, but is blocked from moving to h2 or h6 by the black pawn, which it cannot capture.
abcdefgh
8
b7 up-left arrow
e7 up arrow
h7 up-right arrow
d5 up-left arrow
e5 up arrow
f5 up-right arrow
b4 left arrow
d4 left arrow
e4 white queen
f4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
d3 down-left arrow
e3 down arrow
f3 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
e1 down arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Erl Queen or Erlkönigin or Slip Queen (notation (W-DD)(F-AA)). Moves as queen, but jumps over every other space along its way.

Daring Dragons (H. G. Muller)

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[15]

abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
g6 up-right arrow
d5 up-left arrow
e5 black circle
f5 up-right arrow
d4 black circle
e4 white rook
f4 black circle
d3 down-left arrow
e3 black circle
f3 down-right arrow
c2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Dragon Horse (notation WB). Moves as bishop or wazir.
abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
e6 up arrow
c5 black circle
e5 up arrow
g5 black circle
e4 white knight
c3 black circle
e3 down arrow
g3 black circle
e2 down arrow
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Dragonfly (notation sNvR). Moves vertically as rook or sideways as knight. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
d6 white cross
f6 white cross
d5 black circle
e5 black circle
f5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white bishop
f4 black circle
d3 black circle
e3 black circle
f3 black circle
d2 white cross
f2 white cross
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Dragoon (notation KivmN). Moves as king or, on its initial move, vertically and without capturing as a knight. Can jump for knight moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
d6 black circle
f6 black circle
g6 up-right arrow
d5 up-left arrow
f5 up-right arrow
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 black circle
e4 white queen
g4 black circle
h4 right arrow
d3 down-left arrow
f3 down-right arrow
c2 down-left arrow
d2 black circle
f2 black circle
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Wyvern (notation vNsjRB). Moves as bishop, vertically as knight, or at least 2 steps horizontally as a rook. Can jump for knight moves and jumps over the first square for rook moves.

Bent Bozos (H. G. Muller)

[edit]

The left and right rooks, left and right knights, left and right bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces: [16]

abcdefgh
8
f8 up arrow
f7 up arrow
f6 up arrow
a5 left arrow
b5 left arrow
c5 left arrow
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
e4 white rook
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
g3 right arrow
h3 right arrow
d2 down arrow
d1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Left Griffon (notation FaflR). Moves as ferz and then, optionally, rotates 45 degrees left and then moves as a rook.
abcdefgh
8
d8 up arrow
d7 up arrow
d6 up arrow
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
g5 right arrow
h5 right arrow
e4 white rook
a3 left arrow
b3 left arrow
c3 left arrow
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
f2 down arrow
f1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Right Griffon (notation FafrR). Rotates 45 degrees right instead.
abcdefgh
8
b8 up-left arrow
c7 up-left arrow
d6 up-left arrow
h6 up-right arrow
e5 black circle
g5 up-right arrow
d4 black circle
e4 white knight
f4 black circle
c3 down-left arrow
e3 black circle
b2 down-left arrow
f2 down-right arrow
a1 down-left arrow
g1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Left Aanca (notation WaflB). Moves as wazir and then, optionally, rotates 45 degrees left and moves as bishop.
abcdefgh
8
h8 up-right arrow
a7 up-left arrow
g7 up-right arrow
b6 up-left arrow
f6 up-right arrow
c5 up-left arrow
e5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white knight
f4 black circle
e3 black circle
g3 down-right arrow
d2 down-left arrow
h2 down-right arrow
c1 down-left arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Right Aanca (notation WafrB). Rotates 45 degrees right instead.
abcdefgh
8
d6 black circle
e6 black circle
g5 black circle
c4 black circle
e4 white bishop
g4 black circle
c3 black circle
e2 black circle
f2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Left Sastik (notation DfflNdllNddrNfrrN)). Moves as dabbaba or a knight one to the left of the dababba move
abcdefgh
8
e6 black circle
f6 black circle
c5 black circle
c4 black circle
e4 white bishop
g4 black circle
g3 black circle
d2 black circle
e2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Right Sastik (notation DffrNdrrNddlNfllN)). Moves as dabbaba or a knight one to the right of the dababba move
abcdefgh
8
d8 up arrow
f8 up arrow
d7 up arrow
f7 up arrow
d6 up arrow
f6 up arrow
a5 left arrow
b5 left arrow
c5 left arrow
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
g5 right arrow
h5 right arrow
e4 white queen
a3 left arrow
b3 left arrow
c3 left arrow
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
g3 right arrow
h3 right arrow
d2 down arrow
f2 down arrow
d1 down arrow
f1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Griffon (notation FafR). Moves as ferz and then optionally continues outwards as a rook.

Silly Sliders (H. G. Muller)

[edit]

The rooks, knights, bishops, and queen are replaced by the following pieces:[17]

abcdefgh
8
e8 up arrow
e7 up arrow
e6 up arrow
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
e4 white rook
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
e2 down arrow
e1 down arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Lame Duck (notation FyafW). Moves as rook or ferz, but may not move exactly 1 space as rook.
abcdefgh
8
e6 black circle
d5 black circle
f5 black circle
c4 black circle
e4 white knight
g4 black circle
d3 black circle
f3 black circle
e2 black circle
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Diamond (notation FD). Moves as ferz or dabbaba. Can jump for dabbaba moves.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
b7 up-left arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
g6 up-right arrow
e5 black circle
d4 black circle
e4 white bishop
f4 black circle
e3 black circle
c2 down-left arrow
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Onyx (notation WyafF). Moves as bishop or wazir, but may not move exactly 1 space as bishop.
abcdefgh
8
a8 up-left arrow
e8 up arrow
b7 up-left arrow
e7 up arrow
h7 up-right arrow
c6 up-left arrow
d6 black circle
e6 up arrow
f6 black circle
g6 up-right arrow
c5 black circle
g5 black circle
a4 left arrow
b4 left arrow
c4 left arrow
e4 white queen
g4 right arrow
h4 right arrow
c3 black circle
g3 black circle
c2 down-left arrow
d2 black circle
e2 down arrow
f2 black circle
g2 down-right arrow
b1 down-left arrow
e1 down arrow
h1 down-right arrow
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Squire (notation NyafK). Moves as queen or knight, but may not move exactly 1 space as queen. Can jump for knight moves.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN 0-9524142-0-1.
  2. ^ Pritchard, D. B. (2007). "Equal Armies". In Beasley, John (ed.). The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. John Beasley. pp. 186–87. ISBN 978-0-9555168-0-1.
  3. ^ Chess with different armies by Ralph Betza.
  4. ^ Different Kings and Pawns? by Ralph Betza
  5. ^ The All-Around Allstars by Ralph Betza.
  6. ^ The Amazon Army by Ralph Betza.
  7. ^ The Cylindrical Cinders by Ralph Betza.
  8. ^ The Fighting Fizzies by Peter Aronson
  9. ^ Ideal Values and Practical Values (part 3): The Rider Problem by Ralph Betza
  10. ^ Ideal Values and Practical Values (part 5): Modified Jumpers by Ralph Betza
  11. ^ The Forward FIDEs by Ralph Betza.
  12. ^ The Pizza Kings by John Lawson.
  13. ^ The Meticulous Mashers by Ralph Betza.
  14. ^ The Seeping Switchers by Jörg Knappen.
  15. ^ "chessvariants.com -- Comment Listing". www.chessvariants.com. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  16. ^ "chessvariants.com -- Comment Listing". www.chessvariants.com. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  17. ^ "chessvariants.com -- Comment Listing". www.chessvariants.com. Retrieved 2024-03-05.