Kevin Pacey wrote on Sun, Apr 15, 2018 01:34 AM UTC:
I've had a 12x8 variant idea tonight, which I may dub 'Champagne Chess' if I eventually submit it, after I study the setup diagram at leisure. The Dragon pieces are after the 'Dragon' piece type mentioned in Piececlopedia, i.e. a Knight-Pawn compound piece. The piece would work as stated in the Piecelodepia article on it, except in this variant advancing two-steps initially is entirely ruled out during play of a game, as in the setup the piece begins on the first rank. Castling would be like in chess, except the king steps 4 squares sideways to do so (official rules, but by agreement the players might experiment with another castling rule of some sort). The Elephants depicted are Ferfils, i.e. they can also move like Ferz'. Notice that the pawns are all protected in the setup:
I've had a 12x8 variant idea tonight, which I may dub 'Champagne Chess' if I eventually submit it, after I study the setup diagram at leisure. The Dragon pieces are after the 'Dragon' piece type mentioned in Piececlopedia, i.e. a Knight-Pawn compound piece. The piece would work as stated in the Piecelodepia article on it, except in this variant advancing two-steps initially is entirely ruled out during play of a game, as in the setup the piece begins on the first rank. Castling would be like in chess, except the king steps 4 squares sideways to do so (official rules, but by agreement the players might experiment with another castling rule of some sort). The Elephants depicted are Ferfils, i.e. they can also move like Ferz'. Notice that the pawns are all protected in the setup:
Dragon
I'd tentatively estimate the piece values (on the game's 12x8 board) as follows: P=1; E=2.34(or 2.25 approx.); N=3.06(or 3 approx.); B=3.75; D=4.58(or 4.5 approx.); R=5.5; Q=R+B+P=10.25; Ks fighting value=2.67.
{edit: Backup setup for Champagne Chess variant idea - seems okay if Wide Chess-style castling rules used, at least:]