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The Piececlopedia is intended as a scholarly reference concerning the history and naming conventions of pieces used in Chess variants. But it is not a set of standards concerning what you must call pieces in newly invented games.

Piececlopedia: Wildebeest

Historical notes

The Wildebeest was invented for Wildebeest Chess by R. Wayne Schmittberger, which was published in his 1992 book New Rules for Classic Games.

Movement

The Wildebeest is a compound piece that moves as a Knight or a Camel. So, it is both a 1-2 leaper and a 1-3 leaper. The diagram below shows the spaces it can leap directly to.

diagram

Checkmating

The Wildebeest is both strong and has a move pattern that allows checkmate positions with just assistence of its King, but by a tactical coincidence it cannot deliver the final blow to force these position, and is thus a minor piece. It needs only miniscule help to checkmate a bare King, though. Try it!

Purchase

The Musketeer Chess line of Chess variant pieces includes kits with Wildebeest pieces in them.

Buy on ebay:
Musketeer Chess Variant Kit - Wizard & Wildebeest - Black & Natural
Black & Natural
Buy on ebay:
Musketeer Chess Variant Kit - Wizard & Wildebeest - Black & White
Black & White


Written by Fergus Duniho
WWW page created: April 26, 2023