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Capablanca's chess. An enlarged chess variant, proposed by Capablanca. (10x8, Cells: 80) (Recognized!)[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]

HalfPawn wrote on Sat, Feb 4, 2006 12:52 AM EST:

I took a look at Grotesque Chess. To me, it is too much unlike chess so it
would get low marks for being a viable variant. There is no way to put
the
Bishops on long diagonals so finachettoes are non existant. Next, the
Knight placement upsets the addage 'knights before bishops.' If you
play
Nc3 or Nh3 you block in the c-pawn or h-pawn which would keep the Bb1 or
Bi1 locked in place. So, you need to play the c- or h-pawn almost by
force
to the 4th rank before putting a knight in that same file. This detracts
from the game. So playing the knights even closer to the center on their
first move again seems almost forced. And knights on e3 anf f3
immediately
interferes with the the diagonal range of two majors, the Qc1 and Eh1. 

I think it safe to say the Grotesque setup introduces more problems than
it solves so at least you picked the right name for it.