More Chess & More Than Chess

A Family of Chess Variants

(With contributions by Paul Rapoport and H.G. Muller)

ISBN: 9781445760582

2^nd Edition

©Pionissimo, 2024

History tells us that since the obscure age of the invention of chess, many attempts have been made to incorporate alternative boards and pieces with different moves and powers. Even if they have often been seen as a distraction, sometimes as a heresy, interest in chess variants has never stopped. Now, in the age of computers, artificial intelligence and global networks, this interest is more active than ever. Hundreds of chess variants are created every year, some meeting with success.

The largest quantity of variants involves unorthodox pieces, often played on boards larger than the usual one of 64 squares. This is the vast area that this book explores. The author presents some of his most successful creations, such as Shako and Metamachy, together with a selection of brilliant games from other inventors. These chess variants are presented in detail and illustrated with diagrams and examples of play. An online appendix invites the reader to continue the exploration by playing the games on the Internet. No doubt they will be a source of inspiration for the next generation of players and insatiable creators.

• Paperback: 336 pages

• Publisher: Lulu.com for pionissimo

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9781445760582

• Product Dimensions: US Trade (6 x 9 in / 152 x 229 mm)

Table of Contents

About capitalization 14

Vocabulary 14

The rules of chess 16

Notation for games 19

History of chess variants 21

Chess variants and chess literature 31

Chess variants and computers 37

A Catalog of Pieces 43

“Betza’s funny notation” for moves 45

Controversies and disputes: naming the fairy pieces 47

The Catalog 51

More pieces? 103

The values of the pieces 111

Playing with physical sets 11 !

An ideal set? 123

A Family of Chess Variants 125

Shako 127

Tamerlane II 133

Metamachy 143

Zanzibar 161

Pemba 177

Very Heavy Chess 183

Gigachess 189

Terachess 197

Fantastic XIII 209

Bigorra 219

Patchanka 231

Rollerball 237

A modern selection 245

Musketeer Chess 247

Sac Chess & Heavy Chess 255

Opulent Chess 259

Expanded Chess 265

Elven Chess 271

Eurasian Chess 277

Gross Chess 283

Hectochess 289

Heavy Shako 295

Enhanced Courier Chess 301

Obento Chess 307

Timurid 315

The online Appendix 323

Bibliography 325

Web Sites 327

Index of persons 329
Index of games 333

Changes with the 2^nd Edition (2024) :

• Addition of Bigorra, Patchanka, Heavy Shako and Timurid

• Increased Catalog of Pieces

• Corrected edition (minor changes)

• Black and White diagrams and illustrations for a cheaper price despite an extended content !

==> Download a free sample which consists in the 4 games which have been added to the 2^nd Edition!

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