Hans 38Special

This is an entry of Eric Greenwood for the contest to design a chess variant on a board with 38 squares.

Description

1 2 3 4 5 6 +---+ H |*B*| H +---+---+---+---+---+---+ G |*N*|*B*|*G*|*K*|*S*|*D*| G +---+---+---+---+---+---+ F |*Be|*Sh|*Ch|*Ch|*Sh|*Be| F +---+---+---+---+---+---+ E | | | | | | | E +---+---+---+---+---+---+ D | | | | | | | D +---+---+---+---+---+---+ C | Be| Sh| Ch| Ch| Sh| Be| C +---+---+---+---+---+---+ B | D | S | K | G | B | N | B +---+---+---+---+---+---+ A | B | A +---+ 1 2 3 4 5 6

Interactive diagram: pieces movable, right-click resets!


7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
	a	b	c	d	e	f

Click here to open/close a piece overview. Play it!

Info for selected board piece

	mc	Move or capture
	mc	Move or capture (unblockable jump)
	m	Move only
	im	Move only (unmoved piece only)
	c	Capture only
	m,c	Forbidden move, but delivers check
Click on piece to toggle its moved status

Click below to display piece moves. (Promoted type in brackets):
Pawn (b2,e2; e5,b5) [Firzan]
Berolina (a2,f2; f5,a5) [Wazir]
Soldier (c2,d2; d5,c5) [Across]
Dabbaba (a1; f6) [Rook]
Knightrider (f1; a6) [Tiger]
Silver (b1; e6) [Gold]
Gold (d1; c6) [Wolf]
Short bishop (e0,e1; b7,b6) [Bishop]

The Diagram implements the Chinese Knightrider as Maorider plus Moarider, mixed steps are not allowed. It is assumed the promoted Silver is distinct from a premordial Gold, and cannot promote again. It is assumed promotion occurs on the 7th rank. Since it is not clear what 'piece in hand' means, the Diagram allows an Across on b8 to jump to e0.

Drops are allowed; promotion is on any enemy setup square. This game was designed specifically with Hans37 pieces in mind!

Pawns 'n' Pieces

Pawns

Be: Berolina Pawn: moves diagonally forward 1 and takes forward 1. Promotes to Wazir.
Sh: Shatranj Pawn: moves forward 1 and takes diagonally forward 1. Promotes to Firzan.
Ch: Chinese pawn: moves and takes 1 forward. Promotes to "A" (Across the river) by crossing the middle of the board.

Pieces

D: Dabbabah: moves to the second square horizontally or vertically, and may move w/o capturing to the 1st horiz. or Vert. square. Promotes to Rook.
N: Chinese kNightrider: moves like a knight, but MUST move the first part of the move to an unoccupied horizontal or vertical square before going to the diagonal. (May not Jump.) As long as there is a clear path, the piece may keep going in the same direction. Promotes to Tiger.
B: Short Bishop: May move 1 or 2 squares diagonally only, and may not Jump to the 2nd square. Promotes to Full Bishop.
S: Silver: moves as Shogi Silver. Promotes to Gold.
G: Gold: moves as Shogi Gold. Promotes to Wolf.

Promotions

Firzan: promoted Shatranj Pawn. Moves 1 square diagonally.
Wazir: promoted Berolina Pawn. Moves 1 square Horiz. or Vert.
Across: Chinese pawn past midway. Moves forward or sideways. If moved into the "citadel" square, becomes piece-in-hand.
Rook: promoted Dabbabah. As Chess Rook.
Bishop: promoted short bishop. As Chess Bishop.
Tiger: promoted kNightrider. As Chess Knight,(may Jump now)plus may move 1 square any direction.
Wolf: promoted Gold. Moves 1 square any except straight back.

Well, have fun w/ it-that's what counts! :)

Comment by HB

Although not mentioned explicitly, it is clear from Eric's description that orthodox chess rules as check, mate, stalemate, apply; the K is the king, that moves as in orthodox chess.

Written by Eric Greenwood. Html-makeup and comment added by Hans Bodlaender.

This is an entry in the Contest to make a chess variant on a board with 38 squares.

WWW page created: October 24, 1997. Last modified: March 2, 1998.