Chess Variations - OzChess

**AzzX** · 01-22-2009, 10:02 PM

What are your thoughts on the numerous chess variants that are available and your favourites.
I am talking about variants such as Chess960 and Nuclear Chess which is similar to how I used to play chess when I was a lot younger

The best looking would definitely have to go to 3D Chess from Star Trek. One of these boards would look great in my study:

**Jaz** · 01-22-2009, 10:43 PM

I must admit, I didn't know chess variations even existed. Chess960 is very interesting since the pieces in the 1st row are placed randomly, which indeed makes chess more creative. I guess a new player with talent would fare considerably better in chess960 against an older player who has memorized lots of starting patterns.

The downside of chess960 is that it takes more time to set up the board, since you have to roll the dice etc.

Nuclear Chess is a little too far fetched and silly I think. It is not a chess anymore, but a totally different board game.

**AzzX** · 01-23-2009, 11:49 PM

I am not sure on the history of Chess as its stands today, though I am sure the current game is a variant on the original. I'll have to do some googling to back this claim up though.

**Just2Good** · 01-24-2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Jaz

I guess a new player with talent would fare considerably better in chess960 against an older player who has memorized lots of starting patterns.

Bobby Fischer created Chess 960 precisely for this reason, to bring chess back to the basics. The game has reached the stage where most Grandmasters have memorized so many opening lines up to the 20th move and sometimes even beyond that. So up to that point of the game anyway, its just repetition.

**Hordac** · 01-25-2009, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by AzzX

What are your thoughts on the numerous chess variants that are available and your favourites.
I am talking about variants such as Chess960 and Nuclear Chess which is similar to how I used to play chess when I was a lot younger

The best looking would definitely have to go to 3D Chess from Star Trek. One of these boards would look great in my study:

I think this Star Trek set is actually an ordinary board with some squares being elevated for the futuristic look. It works very well in terms of making an ordinary chess board look advanced and even more complex even back in the 1960's when this television series was made! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on this kind of board myself!

**AzzX** · 01-26-2009, 12:16 PM

If you ever thought 3 player chess was a good idea check this out:

The same rules apply except for some slight variation on moves made through the center of the board. Apparently this particular game was bought in the Czech Republic. Source Rules

**Just2Good** · 01-26-2009, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by AzzX

If you ever thought 3 player chess was a good idea check this out:

The same rules apply except for some slight variation on moves made through the center of the board. Apparently this particular game was bought in the Czech Republic.

Its certainly a novel idea, but I think most chess players like their game untouched, that is 64 squares with 8 pawns and 8 pieces each. Theoretically you could make just a bigger chess board, maybe with 128 squares, and have 4 players, each with the full compliment of 8 pawns and 8 pieces. I don't think I have ever seen that done before.

Maybe it could be called multiplayer chess

But in the picture above, the thing that immediately makes my tummy turn, is the non-square shape of the squares - no pun intended.

**Simon** · 01-26-2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Arrogant-One

Its certainly a novel idea, but I think most chess players like their game untouched, that is 64 squares with 8 pawns and 8 pieces each. Theoretically you could make just a bigger chess board, maybe with 128 squares, and have 4 players, each with the full compliment of 8 pawns and 8 pieces. I don't think I have ever seen that done before.

Maybe it could be called multiplayer chess

But in the picture above, the thing that immediately makes my tummy turn, is the non-square shape of the squares - no pun intended.

No, the whole thing just looks too weird for me, sorry.

**AzzX** · 01-28-2009, 12:59 AM

Here is a java 4 player iteration of chess:
Four Way Chess

If that doesn't confuse you, you are doing better than me. I just played a game and it lasted all of 40 seconds.

**Jaz** · 02-01-2009, 07:50 AM

I have now seen chess960, nuclear chess, 3D chess, shot chess, 3 ways and 4 ways chess. I think we are still missing some more

Although the 3 ways chess board looks cool (especially the center, which makes things more interesting), I don't think it could stand up for the challenge against serious chess variations like star trek or shot chess. Without the major alteration of rules, the only viable strategy would be just to sit out until 1 of your opponents has finished battling with the other so you can go in and take the pieces, that are left.

4 ways chess is quite interesting though since you team up with a partner so it is 2v2 just like in tennis. It makes more sense and it should be more fun (until it gets more popular of course and people start memorizing patterns and everything).

**Noddy** · 02-01-2009, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Jaz

I have now seen chess960, nuclear chess, 3D chess, shot chess, 3 ways and 4 ways chess. I think we are still missing some more

Although the 3 ways chess board looks cool (especially the center, which makes things more interesting), I don't think it could stand up for the challenge against serious chess variations like star trek or shot chess. Without the major alteration of rules, the only viable strategy would be just to sit out until 1 of your opponents has finished battling with the other so you can go in and take the pieces, that are left.

4 ways chess is quite interesting though since you team up with a partner so it is 2v2 just like in tennis. It makes more sense and it should be more fun (until it gets more popular of course and people start memorizing patterns and everything).

That's a good point and I agree. I like playing doubles tennis but only I a pair up with a strong opponent.

**Dulce** · 02-03-2009, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Arrogant-One

Its certainly a novel idea, but I think most chess players like their game untouched, that is 64 squares with 8 pawns and 8 pieces each. Theoretically you could make just a bigger chess board, maybe with 128 squares, and have 4 players, each with the full compliment of 8 pawns and 8 pieces. I don't think I have ever seen that done before.

Maybe it could be called multiplayer chess

But in the picture above, the thing that immediately makes my tummy turn, is the non-square shape of the squares - no pun intended.

Introducing Chess 4.

Chess 4

Actually got it as a gift when i was a kid. It was terrible gameplay though, alot better in theory than in practice.

It had a cool slogan though: "Chess is no longer a battle, now its WAR!" lol

**Cephus** · 02-03-2009, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Dulce

Introducing Chess 4.

Chess 4

Actually got it as a gift when i was a kid. It was terrible gameplay though, alot better in theory than in practice.

It had a cool slogan though: "Chess is no longer a battle, now its WAR!" lol

Cool slogan and somewhat true too!

**AzzX** · 02-04-2009, 07:37 PM

I find variations on popular games intriguing and chess is no different - in fact it is probably the most varied game on the planet. Here we have another popular variation.
Gliński's hexagonal chess

Hexagonal chess - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The game is played on a hexagonal board with three colors (light, dark and gray), with the middle cell (or hex) usually gray.[2] The usual set of chess pieces is extended with a bishop and a pawn. Initial setup is shown on the diagram.

**Jaz** · 02-11-2009, 03:04 PM

I found another great variation of chess. It is called Omega Chess and it comes with 2 new pieces added to the standard chess set - The Champion and The Wizard, which are both classified as leapers just like knight. The wizard (at the corners) is bound to the original color they are placed at. Check it out -

Omega Chess

01-23-2009, 11:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
AzzX Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 109	I am not sure on the history of Chess as its stands today, though I am sure the current game is a variant on the original. I'll have to do some googling to back this claim up though. __________________ azzx.org ozsource

01-24-2009, 03:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,056 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Originally Posted by Jaz I guess a new player with talent would fare considerably better in chess960 against an older player who has memorized lots of starting patterns. Bobby Fischer created Chess 960 precisely for this reason, to bring chess back to the basics. The game has reached the stage where most Grandmasters have memorized so many opening lines up to the 20th move and sometimes even beyond that. So up to that point of the game anyway, its just repetition. __________________ . "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." ~ Buckminster Fuller ~

01-25-2009, 07:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hordac Down at the Pub Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 26	Originally Posted by AzzX What are your thoughts on the numerous chess variants that are available and your favourites. I am talking about variants such as Chess960 and Nuclear Chess which is similar to how I used to play chess when I was a lot younger The best looking would definitely have to go to 3D Chess from Star Trek. One of these boards would look great in my study: I think this Star Trek set is actually an ordinary board with some squares being elevated for the futuristic look. It works very well in terms of making an ordinary chess board look advanced and even more complex even back in the 1960's when this television series was made! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on this kind of board myself!

01-26-2009, 12:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,056 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Originally Posted by AzzX If you ever thought 3 player chess was a good idea check this out: The same rules apply except for some slight variation on moves made through the center of the board. Apparently this particular game was bought in the Czech Republic. Its certainly a novel idea, but I think most chess players like their game untouched, that is 64 squares with 8 pawns and 8 pieces each. Theoretically you could make just a bigger chess board, maybe with 128 squares, and have 4 players, each with the full compliment of 8 pawns and 8 pieces. I don't think I have ever seen that done before. Maybe it could be called multiplayer chess But in the picture above, the thing that immediately makes my tummy turn, is the non-square shape of the squares - no pun intended. __________________ . "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." ~ Buckminster Fuller ~

01-26-2009, 02:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Simon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 162	Originally Posted by Arrogant-One Its certainly a novel idea, but I think most chess players like their game untouched, that is 64 squares with 8 pawns and 8 pieces each. Theoretically you could make just a bigger chess board, maybe with 128 squares, and have 4 players, each with the full compliment of 8 pawns and 8 pieces. I don't think I have ever seen that done before. Maybe it could be called multiplayer chess But in the picture above, the thing that immediately makes my tummy turn, is the non-square shape of the squares - no pun intended. No, the whole thing just looks too weird for me, sorry.

01-22-2009, 10:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jaz Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 87	I must admit, I didn't know chess variations even existed. Chess960 is very interesting since the pieces in the 1st row are placed randomly, which indeed makes chess more creative. I guess a new player with talent would fare considerably better in chess960 against an older player who has memorized lots of starting patterns. The downside of chess960 is that it takes more time to set up the board, since you have to roll the dice etc. Nuclear Chess is a little too far fetched and silly I think. It is not a chess anymore, but a totally different board game.

01-28-2009, 12:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
AzzX Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 109	Here is a java 4 player iteration of chess: Four Way Chess If that doesn't confuse you, you are doing better than me. I just played a game and it lasted all of 40 seconds. __________________ azzx.org ozsource

02-01-2009, 07:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jaz Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 87	I have now seen chess960, nuclear chess, 3D chess, shot chess, 3 ways and 4 ways chess. I think we are still missing some more Although the 3 ways chess board looks cool (especially the center, which makes things more interesting), I don't think it could stand up for the challenge against serious chess variations like star trek or shot chess. Without the major alteration of rules, the only viable strategy would be just to sit out until 1 of your opponents has finished battling with the other so you can go in and take the pieces, that are left. 4 ways chess is quite interesting though since you team up with a partner so it is 2v2 just like in tennis. It makes more sense and it should be more fun (until it gets more popular of course and people start memorizing patterns and everything).

02-01-2009, 12:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Noddy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toyland Posts: 255	Originally Posted by Jaz I have now seen chess960, nuclear chess, 3D chess, shot chess, 3 ways and 4 ways chess. I think we are still missing some more Although the 3 ways chess board looks cool (especially the center, which makes things more interesting), I don't think it could stand up for the challenge against serious chess variations like star trek or shot chess. Without the major alteration of rules, the only viable strategy would be just to sit out until 1 of your opponents has finished battling with the other so you can go in and take the pieces, that are left. 4 ways chess is quite interesting though since you team up with a partner so it is 2v2 just like in tennis. It makes more sense and it should be more fun (until it gets more popular of course and people start memorizing patterns and everything). That's a good point and I agree. I like playing doubles tennis but only I a pair up with a strong opponent.

02-03-2009, 09:02 AM	#12 (permalink)
Dulce Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 76	Originally Posted by Arrogant-One Its certainly a novel idea, but I think most chess players like their game untouched, that is 64 squares with 8 pawns and 8 pieces each. Theoretically you could make just a bigger chess board, maybe with 128 squares, and have 4 players, each with the full compliment of 8 pawns and 8 pieces. I don't think I have ever seen that done before. Maybe it could be called multiplayer chess But in the picture above, the thing that immediately makes my tummy turn, is the non-square shape of the squares - no pun intended. Introducing Chess 4. Chess 4 Actually got it as a gift when i was a kid. It was terrible gameplay though, alot better in theory than in practice. It had a cool slogan though: "Chess is no longer a battle, now its WAR!" lol

02-03-2009, 05:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Cephus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Caprica Posts: 102	Originally Posted by Dulce Introducing Chess 4. Chess 4 Actually got it as a gift when i was a kid. It was terrible gameplay though, alot better in theory than in practice. It had a cool slogan though: "Chess is no longer a battle, now its WAR!" lol Cool slogan and somewhat true too!

02-11-2009, 03:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
Jaz Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 87	I found another great variation of chess. It is called Omega Chess and it comes with 2 new pieces added to the standard chess set - The Champion and The Wizard, which are both classified as leapers just like knight. The wizard (at the corners) is bound to the original color they are placed at. Check it out - Omega Chess

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