Nine-Queen Chess

by Eric Beck

Introduction

This chess variant was developed for use by members of the Notre Dame Chess Club in Kitchener, Ontario. It was submitted by Paul DeWitte.

Board

The game uses the standard 8X8, 64-cell board.

Setup

The end-rank pieces are set up in their standard opening positions. In the second rank, white has eight queens instead of eight pawns. In the seventh rank, black also has eight queens instead of eight pawns.

Pieces

Pieces retain their regular moves. The king is royal. There are nine queens in this game; there are no pawns.

Rules

The goal is the same as it is in FIDE chess: a player wins by mating his opponent’s king.

Regular castling rules are in place; however, castling rarely occurs in this variant.

No pieces promote.

Equipment

Standard chess equipment is used. Pawns represent queens.