Who is Who on Eight by Eight
Compiled by Ivan A Derzhanski <(email removed contact us for address) h.bas.bg>, 11 March 2001
I told Zillions of Games to set up the board for Chess and asked it what it thought of the values of all the men in the initial position, taking notes of all the responses.
Then I repeated the procedure for Fairy Chess (plugging in the fairy beings, kind by kind, in the initial positions of orthodox men they resembled most), for Ultima, Ralph Betza's different armies, Shatranjirocco and as many other games as I found implemented on the eight by eight board.
The exercise was whetting my appetite; so I drafted some men from games implemented on larger boards, then wrote rules for some that I had found in unimplemented games or in collections of fairy pieces not attached to a game, and finally invented some pieces myself, for the round number.
So here they are, 200 pieces arranged by the values they have on the eight by eight board. The plus signs after the names indicate ability to promote, something ZoG holds in very high esteem; so it thinks the OrthoChess Pawn, which promotes to four different things, considerably more valuable than the one in Shatranj or DropChess, which only promote to one or two, and the Shatranjirocco one more valuable still, because in that game the promotion zone is twice larger.
I have not reflected the ability of the lion movers (Raven, Parrot, Horned Falcon, Soaring Eagle and Lion, as well as my additions, Dark Bird, Colour Bird and Cockatoo) to pass a turn, but that doesn't affect their values significantly.
Of course, ZoG's idea about how much everything is worth isn't always the right one, and the initial position, where the values have been tested, is quite atypical for some pieces. So take this with a grain of salt (but I hope it is interesting anyway). And never forget the size of the board. On a larger board the sliders are stronger; the terrifying gap between the fortified Queens and the Tiger Horse and Lion is a feature of this board.
Talking of which, here are a couple of games with non-identical (but arguably more or less equal) armies that ZoG had a good time with:
- One side plays with the OrthoChess team. The other side gives up the Queen, one Rook, Bishop and Knight and gets a Lion instead.
- One side plays with the OrthoChess team. The other side gives up everything except the King and gets two Lions instead. (Pawns should not be able to promote to Lion, though, only to Queen and lesser officers.)
- Both sides play with the OrthoChess team, except that one has a Lion instead of a Queen, and the other has a Tiger Horse instead of one of the Knights.
But enough digressions. On to the men:
| Point Value | Game | Piece | Movement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1275.617 |
Shatranj |
Pawn |
fW/fF |
|
|
1360 |
QuangTrung |
Soldier |
fW or fF |
fW if something behind, fF otherwise. |
|
1438.25 |
Drop |
SidePawn |
fW/sW |
|
|
1888.135 |
Chess |
Pawn+ |
fW/fF |
|
|
1988.5 |
Fairy |
Cavalier |
W^F |
Horse (Chinese Chess) |
|
2014.5 |
Touranian |
Coin/Boat |
nA+nD |
Alibaba-darter (Jelliss) |
|
2044.031 |
Berolina |
BeroPawn+ |
fF/fW |
|
|
2145.75 |
Tamerlane |
Talia |
F then B |
|
|
2192.25 |
Shatranj |
Alfil |
A |
|
|
2218.188 |
Scirocco |
Pawn++ |
|
Promotes optionally on last two rows. |
|
2274.063 |
Cavalier |
Cavalier+ |
|
|
|
2329.5 |
Grimbert |
Hippocampus |
overtaking N |
Captures between source and destination. |
|
2398.875 |
Tenjiku |
Dog |
fW+bF |
|
|
2432 |
Fish |
FishPawn+ |
vW/fF |
|
|
2558.5 |
Demichess |
Crab |
ffN+bsN |
|
|
2571 |
Demichess |
Lobster |
fA+bF |
|
|
2694.75 |
Demiurge |
Crab+ |
|
|
|
2727 |
Demiurge |
Lobster+ |
|
|
|
2787.25 |
Fairy |
Grasshopper |
|
As Leon, but lands immediately after screen. |
|
2815.25 |
Fairy |
Dabbaba |
D |
|
|
2837.938 |
Drop |
Iron |
fK |
|
|
2845.375 |
Mobile |
Mobile Pawn+ |
fsW/fF |
|
|
2895.75 |
Jupiter |
Mock Turtle |
A/R4 |
|
|
2898 |
Scirocco |
Alfil+ |
|
|
|
2924.125 |
Shatranj |
Firzan |
F |
|
|
3019.5 |
Fairy |
Alfilrider |
AA |
|
|
3206.5 |
Grimbert |
Nereid |
overtaker B |
|
|
3212.75 |
Fairy |
Wazir |
W |
|
|
3255.75 |
Japan |
Copper |
vW+fF |
|
|
3365 |
Ultima |
Coordinator |
coordinating Q |
|
|
3377.5 |
Fairy |
Giraffe |
G |
|
|
3396 |
Ultima |
Chamaeleon |
chamaeleon Q |
|
|
3423.5 |
Fairy |
Leon |
|
Korean Cannon action in Queen directions. |
|
3512.25 |
Fairy |
Zebra |
Z |
|
|
3594 |
Balaklava |
BalaPawn |
P+mfN |
Can't promote by Knight move. |
|
3672.25 |
Scirocco |
Dabbaba+ |
|
|
|
3707 |
Scirocco |
Firzan+ |
|
|
|
3769.563 |
Battler |
Strong Pawn+ |
fK |
|
|
3807.5 |
(Scirocco) |
Waggon |
W then R |
|
|
3879.188 |
Xhess |
Horseman |
P+mf(W^F) |
|
|
3905.25 |
Japan |
Silver |
F+fW |
|
|
4114.75 |
Demichess |
Snail |
W+fD |
|
|
4120.5 |
Töws |
Nun |
B2 |
Flying Dragon (Japan) |
|
4165.25 |
Scirocco |
Guard+ |
|
|
|
4198.625 |
UltiBattle |
Camel |
C |
|
|
4294.25 |
Demiurge |
Snail+ |
|
|
|
4302.5 |
Scirocco |
Wazir+ |
|
|
|
4529.5 |
Tank |
Bomb |
mK+boom rad 1 |
|
|
4591.75 |
Drop |
Topguard |
F+vW |
Ferocious Leopard (Japan) |
|
4658 |
QuangTrung |
Counsellor |
A+(3,0) |
|
|
4659 |
Tank |
Abomb |
mK+boom rad 2 |
|
|
4723.75 |
QuangTrung |
Chariot |
overtaker R |
Triton (Grimbert) |
|
4741 |
Fairy |
Dabbabarider |
DD |
|
|
4746 |
Scirocco |
Waggon+ |
|
|
|
4949.5 |
Typhoon |
Bishop's Dog |
B3 |
|
|
5001 |
Scirocco |
Stork+ |
A+cW |
|
|
5056 |
Töws |
Hut |
R2 |
Violent Ox (Japan) |
|
5061.5 |
Scirocco |
Zebra+ |
|
|
|
5080 |
Japan |
Gold |
W+fF |
|
|
5083.45 |
Chess |
Knight |
N |
|
|
5147.25 |
Fairy |
Camelrider |
CC |
|
|
5150 |
Cazaux |
Hunter |
fR+bB |
MultiGeneral (Tenjiku) |
|
5200 |
Cazaux |
Falcon |
fB+bR |
|
|
5202 |
Jelliss |
Ferfil |
F+A |
Priest (Drop) |
|
5248.5 |
Scirocco |
Zag |
FA+overtaker W |
|
|
5388.875 |
Colourbound |
Phoenix |
W+A |
|
|
5467.5 |
Grimbert |
Llama |
P+C |
|
|
5482.25 |
Abstract |
Vao |
diagonal Pao |
|
|
5549 |
(Tam/Sci) |
Wagtail |
K then Q |
Waggon + Talia |
|
5549.75 |
Nutty |
Fibnif |
F+vN |
|
|
5655.5 |
Scirocco |
Camel+ |
|
|
|
5837.75 |
Japan |
Kylin |
F+D |
|
|
5849.5 |
Scirocco |
Spider |
mW^B |
|
|
5896 |
Scirocco |
Goat+ |
mF+D |
|
|
5922.821 |
Chess |
Bishop |
B |
|
|
6009 |
Drop |
Vertical |
vR+sW |
|
|
6026.25 |
Biform 1 |
|
N/Q |
March Hare (Jupiter) |
|
6223.5 |
Fairy |
Drake |
P+N |
|
|
6258.75 |
Japan |
Side Mover |
sR+vW |
|
|
6269.5 |
Demiurge |
Turtle |
AD/Q4 |
Jupiter's Mock Turtle democked. |
|
6276.417 |
Mad |
Infantryman |
B/W |
|
|
6355.25 |
Remarkable |
Woody Rook |
W+D |
|
|
6388.5 |
Fairy |
Griff |
P+B |
|
|
6400.75 |
Abstract |
Commoner |
K |
|
|
6444.5 |
Scirocco |
Zig |
WD+overtaker F |
|
|
6597 |
Scirocco |
Knight+ |
|
|
|
6793.5 |
Scirocco |
Dervish+ |
AD+relay leap self |
|
|
6796 |
Nutty |
Forfnibakking |
fN+sbK |
|
|
6918.75 |
QuangTrung |
Skirook |
D^R |
Cannon (QuangTrung) |
|
6928.5 |
(Big Battle) |
OverBishop |
B+A |
|
|
6943.5 |
Tank |
Tank |
pusher K |
|
|
6981 |
Demichess |
Oyster |
Cra+Lob |
|
|
6987.75 |
Japan |
Whale |
vR+bB |
|
|
7020 |
Typhoon |
Raven |
lF |
|
|
7076 |
Demiurge |
Oyster+ |
|
|
|
7094.375 |
Typhoon |
Tadpole |
F+(3,0)+cW |
|
|
7225.75 |
Omega |
Wizard |
F+C |
|
|
7241.75 |
Töws |
Spy |
N+A |
|
|
7294 |
(Scirocco) |
Chariot |
R4 |
ShortRook (Remarkable, Amazon) |
|
7324 |
(Taikyoku) |
OnBishop |
F+A^B |
|
|
7333.25 |
Ultima |
Pincer |
intertaker R |
|
|
7399.25 |
Japan |
Pale Horse |
vR+fB |
|
|
7439 |
Scirocco |
Octopus |
mF^R |
|
|
7447.5 |
Tamerlane |
Ship |
F^vR |
|
|
7507.5 |
Grimbert |
Mermaid |
overtaker Q |
|
|
7525 |
Drop |
Rookie |
fsR+bW |
|
|
7572.75 |
Mad |
Warlord |
N+(3,0) |
|
|
7603 |
Mad |
Valkyrie |
B/Q |
|
|
7608.125 |
Cavalier |
Nightrider |
NN |
|
|
7727.75 |
Battler |
Strong Bishop |
B+mW |
|
|
7777.5 |
Abstract |
Murray Lion |
AD+cK |
|
|
7907 |
Scirocco |
Bishop+ |
|
|
|
7942.25 |
Jupiter |
Crow |
F&F |
|
|
7984.5 |
(Scirocco) |
Priest |
F+N |
Steelqueen (Mad) |
|
8153.5 |
Scirocco |
Commoner+ |
|
|
|
8220 |
Scirocco |
Harpy |
mQ+relay N |
|
|
8263.25 |
Colourbound |
FerAlfDa |
FAD |
|
|
8301.25 |
Biform 1 |
|
B/NR |
|
|
8385 |
Abstract |
Pao |
Cn Cannon |
|
|
8406.25 |
Remarkable |
HalfDuck |
FD+(3,0) |
|
|
8414.75 |
Jupiter |
Dragon Pony |
B3+W |
|
|
8448.583 |
Mad |
Footsoldier |
R/F |
|
|
8453.889 |
Chess |
Rook |
R |
|
|
8461.167 |
(Scirocco) |
Marquis |
W+N |
Stoneking (Mad) |
|
8662 |
Typhoon |
Parrot |
lW |
|
|
8702.5 |
Omega |
Champion |
WAD |
|
|
8719.75 |
Colourbound |
BiDabba |
B+D |
|
|
8754.5 |
Balaklava |
BalaBishop |
B+mN |
|
|
8832.5 |
Biform 1 |
|
K/NQ |
|
|
8849 |
Nutty |
Furlurlbakking |
fsR+bK |
|
|
8875.25 |
Biform 2 |
|
NB/R |
|
|
8877.25 |
Jupiter |
Toucan |
W&W |
|
|
9184.5 |
Elvish |
Seeress |
Q2 |
|
|
9222.5 |
Scirocco |
Chariot+ |
|
|
|
9255 |
Drop |
Archbishop |
B+W |
Dragon Horse (Japan) |
|
9264.5 |
Jupiter |
Dragon Duke |
R3+F |
|
|
9281 |
Abstract |
(Boat) |
P+R |
PawnRook (Abstract), Ship (Grimbert) |
|
9333 |
Mad |
Unicorn |
N+vR |
|
|
9388.25 |
Scirocco |
Wildebeest |
N+C |
Gnu (Fairy) |
|
9567.75 |
Mad |
Rhinoceros |
N+sR |
|
|
9664 |
Biform 2 |
|
KN/Q |
|
|
9899.5 |
(Big Battle) |
OverRook |
R+D |
|
|
9962.75 |
Japan |
Flying Ox |
B+vR |
|
|
9970.75 |
Typhoon |
Horned Owl |
B4+sbD+flW |
|
|
10092 |
Fantasy |
Dragon |
W^B |
|
|
10112 |
Mad |
Berserker |
R/Q |
|
|
10182.25 |
Japan |
Free Boar |
B+sR |
|
|
10219.56 |
Scirocco |
Squirrel |
AND |
|
|
10323.5 |
(Taikyoku) |
OnRook |
W+D^R |
|
|
10432 |
Scirocco |
Priest+ |
|
|
|
10462.75 |
Scirocco |
Frog |
K(3,0)(3,3) |
|
|
10484 |
Biform 1 |
|
R/NB |
|
|
10530 |
Scirocco |
Abbot |
B4+N |
|
|
10685.5 |
Scirocco |
Vulture |
K+B/R |
|
|
10745 |
Töws |
Archdeacon |
B+R2 |
|
|
10923.56 |
Fairy |
Cardinal |
B+N |
|
|
10986.5 |
Scirocco |
Marquis+ |
|
|
|
11013 |
Ultima |
Immobiliser |
freezer Q |
|
|
11085.5 |
Typhoon |
Dayrider |
AADD+mK |
|
|
11162.25 |
Biform 2 |
|
NR/B |
|
|
11185 |
Ultima |
Withdrawer |
undertaker Q |
|
|
11319.25 |
Balaklava |
BalaRook |
R+mN |
|
|
11388 |
Drop |
Tower |
R+F |
Dragon King (Japan) |
|
11410.5 |
Typhoon |
Centaur |
K+N |
|
|
11492.5 |
Ultima |
Longleaper |
overtaker* Q |
|
|
11494.75 |
Cazaux |
Squire |
KAD |
|
|
11803.5 |
Typhoon |
Diving Osprey |
R4+bA+flF |
|
|
11819.25 |
(Jupiter) |
(Dark Bird) |
lF+F&F |
Raven + Crow |
|
12064.25 |
Fantasy |
Gryphon |
F^R |
|
|
12137.5 |
Scirocco |
Scirocco+ |
|
|
|
12272.5 |
Scirocco |
Duke |
R4+N |
|
|
12747 |
Typhoon |
Ibis |
K+R/B |
|
|
12962 |
Nutty |
Forfnifurlrurking |
K+fN+fsR |
|
|
13114 |
Biform 2 |
|
Q/N |
Mad Hatter (Jupiter) |
|
13287.5 |
Jelliss |
Banshee |
B+NN |
Unicorn (Unicorn) |
|
13461.5 |
Abstract |
Leo |
Pao+Vao |
|
|
13492.75 |
Fairy |
Marshall |
R+N |
|
|
13625 |
Typhoon |
Typhoon |
FA+snowplow R3 |
|
|
13882.5 |
Scirocco |
Genie |
Q3+igui |
|
|
14028 |
(Jupiter) |
(Colour Bird) |
lW+W&W |
Parrot + Toucan |
|
14073.5 |
Typhoon |
Emperor |
Q2+N |
|
|
14112.33 |
Chess |
Queen |
Q |
|
|
14244.75 |
Japan |
Horned Falcon |
B+sbR+flW |
|
|
14672 |
Japan |
Soaring Eagle |
R+bB+flF |
|
|
14726.25 |
Mad |
Spectre |
Q+(3,3) |
|
|
15518.5 |
(Typhoon) |
(Cockatoo) |
lW+lF |
Parrot + Raven |
|
15546.5 |
Mad |
Steeldragon |
Q+(3,0) |
|
|
15563 |
(Elvish) |
(Loredragon) |
B+W^B |
Bishop + Dragon |
|
16339.25 |
Cavalier |
Lighthorse |
N+mQ |
|
|
16382.5 |
Big Battle |
OverQueen |
QAD |
Queen (Big Battle) |
|
16436.13 |
Scirocco |
Lioness |
KAND |
|
|
17120 |
Taikyoku |
OnQueen |
K+AD^Q |
Heavenly Tetrarchs King (Taikyoku) |
|
17262.5 |
Balaklava |
BalaQueen |
Q+mN |
|
|
18644.25 |
Cavalier |
Lightrider |
NN+mQ |
|
|
19081.5 |
Fantasy |
Godzilla |
F^R+W^B |
Gryphon + Dragon |
|
19184.17 |
Fairy |
Amazon |
Q+N |
|
|
20168.75 |
Elvish |
Loremaster |
R+F^R |
Rook + Gryphon |
|
21347.5 |
Jelliss |
Queen of the Night |
Q+NN |
|
|
24502.5 |
Jupiter |
Tiger Horse |
FANDC+cN^W |
|
|
34084.5 |
Japan |
Lion |
K&K |
|
Written by Ivan A Derzhanski. Converted to HTML by David Howe.
WWW page created: 5 September 2001.