Chess variant

A chess variant is any game derived from, related to or similar to chess in at least one respect. The difference from chess can include one or more of the following:

Related Topics:
Game - Chess

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• Different board (larger or smaller, another board form, e.g. hexagonal or circle)
• Fairy pieces, different from those in chess
• Different rules for capture, move order, game goal etc.

The national chess variants like xiangqi and shogi are traditionally also called chess variants in western world. They have many similarities with chess and share a common ancestor.

Related Topics:
Xiangqi - Shogi

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In the context of chess problems, chess variants are called fantasy chess, heterodox chess or fairy chess. Some chess variants are used only in chess composition and not for playing.

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To experts of chess variants, chess, shogi, xiangqi, and other chess-related games of great popularity are merely special cases in a theoretically unlimited universe of possible arrangements involving boards, pieces, rules, and so on. Over 1500 unique chess variants have been devised to date. The creation in 1998 of Zillions of Games, a Windows compatible software program which enables non-experts to design and playtest some types of chess variants using an AI opponent, has helped increase chess variant growth within communties that use it.

Related Topics:
Shogi - Xiangqi - Zillions of Games - Playtest

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Chess variant: Chess-derived games ►