Piececlopedia: Okapi
The Okapi was invented in 1965 by Pierre Monréal for use in fairy chess problems. However, it was nearly four decades before the piece appeared in an actual chess variant.
(Illustrations: (L) Okapi piece by Jean-Louis Cazaux. (R) Okapi piece by Bob Greenwade.)
Movement
As shown in the illustration to the left, the Okapi moves as a compound of a Knight (1,2) and a Zebra (2,3). Because both of its components are colorswitching (that is, they change what color they're on each time they're moved), so is the Okapi.
The nature of the Okapi's moves means that it cannot, with an otherwise bare King, achieve checkmate, though it can force stalemate.
Appearances
As far as I can determine at this time (with much-appreciated help), the only games that feature the Okapi (so far) are:
- Charles Gilman's Great Herd (2004) and Yoto (2009), as Gazelle.
- Korean Carrera (2010) by Daniil Frolov, as Gazelle.
- Patchanka (2023) by Jean-Louis Cazaux.
- my own Short Sliders (2023) and Okapi Chess (2024).
In calling the piece Gazelle, Gilman states that the name was already established, though he doesn't cite his source.
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By Bob Greenwade.
Last revised by Bob Greenwade.
Web page created: 2024-03-27. Web page last updated: 2024-03-27