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Switching Chess. In addition to normal moves, switch with an adjacent friendly piece. (8x8, Cells: 64) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]

George Duke wrote on Sat, Jul 17, 2004 05:05 PM UTC:

P1, N3, B3, R5, Q9 and supposed fractions for B and Q. Orthodox values should apply because Swap becomes like alternative to a move when any piece can Switch. Bishop no longer colour-bound? Knight more mobile? Queen freer to attack? Rook to make double threat? All true, but with generalized Switch, each such nuance has its offset(s) and risk, and each other piece-type correspondingly. Pawn-Piece disparity compared to Orthodox? A piece on rank 7 or 8 switches with an unmoved pawn. The pawn promotes. That's the power of the piece more than the Pawn; moreover, one or other's switching ability is redundant. Maybe some games played would show fractional-point increase in value for Pawn, but not looking to be self-evident. I think play with orthodox valuations in back of mind suffices on 8x8, or 8x10, with added switch-rule this way. So, the same Design Analysis chart under 'Rules of Chess FAQ' applies, with similar piece gradients.