Category: Variants

Rifle Chess, also known as Shoot Chess and Shooting Chess, was invented by W. B. Seabrook in 1921. This man noted that the origin of chess coincided with a time when warfare emulated close combat. However, with the advent of firearms, the nature of warfare experienced a profound transformation.

Ghostrider Chess, an intriguing variant devised by Ralph Betza in 1978, has piqued my interest due to its suitability for a game server implementation. This captivating game is played on a traditional 8×8 chessboard, utilizing standard pieces, with the exception of the knights.

Incognito Chess, a delightful chess variant conceived by Ralph Betza in 1978, presents a straightforward yet enjoyable gameplay experience.

Gravitational Chess, created by Carlos Nafarrate in 1984, is a unique chess variant played on the traditional 8×8 chessboard with the usual set of pieces and standard starting positions. However, what sets this variant apart is the inclusion of an intriguing gravitational feature that enhances the gameplay rules.

Einstein Chess, an interesting chess variant, draws loose inspiration from Einstein’s theory of relativity, intertwining the concepts of mass and energy. This imaginative genre of chess was first introduced by Roméo Bédoni and Jean Zeller in the year 1981.

Marseillais Chess, also known as Double-Move Chess, is an intriguing chess variant where players make two moves per turn instead of the traditional one. The game’s rules were initially introduced in the local newspaper Le Soleil in Marseilles in 1925.

Monochromatic Chess, a chess variant of unknown origin, maintains the standard rules and initial board position of regular chess. However, it introduces a unique twist: pieces that start on black squares are restricted to black squares throughout the game, while pieces that begin on white squares must exclusively occupy white squares throughout the gameplay.

Circe Chess is an interesting and creative chess variant that introduces a unique rule related to the capturing of pieces. It is played on a standard 8×8 chessboard with traditional chess pieces. It was named after the enchantress from Greek mythology, and the variant was invented in 1967 by Pierre Montreal.

Bughouse Chess is a team-based chess variant that is typically played by four players in two teams of two. The game is played on two separate chessboards, with each player controlling one color on one board. The players of each team sit opposite each other, allowing for easy communication and coordination.

What makes this game truly captivating? Well, it was crafted by Ralph Betza in 1977, and its most intriguing aspect lies in the two-part move system. Each turn involves a standard chess move, along with an advancement of the opponent’s pawn by one square.