Kevin Pacey wrote on Fri, Mar 18, 2016 09:59 PM UTC:
Fergus wrote:
"My favorite commercial variant is one that regularly changes the rules and
may be computer-resistant. It is called Knightmare Chess, and you can find
it in the CVP's Amazon store. It uses cards to change rules or introduce
new conditions in the game, and it could be described as Magic: the
Gathering meets Chess."
Thanks Fergus. The info regarding the 3rd edition of Knightmare Chess (if
that's an edition that you're familiar with) states the recommended age
range as 10-15 years. So, at least the game is not too complex, while since
you enjoy it, it's not too simple for at least some adults to enjoy,
either. The question is, could it ever be massively popular, say if
assisted by the decline of standard chess? Also, I'd mention that while I
didn't try to see what the board, pieces and cards look like (if that's
possible on Amazon), I suppose that it's possible a board and set for the
game could be one day made to look elegant on someone's coffeetable, with
the cards kept for storage within, say, the belly of a wooden folding
board. It may seem like a small thing, but one wonders how many people took
up chess or at least occasionally play it because there's a nice set on a
coffetable, or as seen in a movie.
I neglected to mention in my previous post at least one thing that may be
of interest, if it hasn't been noted elsewhere already. I found Omega Chess
(commercial variant) somewhat attractive, but what made me decide against
it was that a K & R vs. K ending would often be a draw, if I understand
the rules correctly. That's since the lone king could hide in a Wizard
square adjacent to one of the 10x10 board's four corners, when all the side
with the R can do is deliver stalemate, which I think is still a draw in this game. Since I already had other 10x10 board variants I was interested in possibly trying, that did it for Omega Chess in my books, since one would expect K & R vs. K to be a win on a square board normally.
