Progressive Give-Away Chess

Progressive Giveaway Chess is probably the first example of a chess variant constructed combining rules of two other pre-existing variants. As the name implies. Progressive Giveaway Chess is Giveaway Chess played at the Italian Progressive Chess pace.

Progressive Giveaway Chess was introduced in AISE practice since the late 70s. A presentation of this variant appeared in Eteroscacco n.2, July-September 1978.

Rules

The rules of normal chess apply, with the following exceptions:

• White starts with one move, then black makes two moves, then white three moves, then black four moves, etc.
• Capturing is compulsory.
• The King has no special prerogative, in particular capturing the King does not end the game. Consequently, promoting a Pawn to King is allowed.
• The player that is stalemated (cannot move) wins the game.

Comments

• This variant is characterised by a razor edge play. A mistake in the very first moves often means forced defeat. In fact, recent analysis (Eteroscacco n. 71/72, July-December 1995) suggest that of the first possible 20 white moves only 1. a3 and 1. c3 do not lead forcefully to an inferior position for White.
• Given the characteristics of the variant, draws are exceptional (see sample games below).

Bibliography

• Forzoni's column on Eteroscacco n. 71/72, July-December 1995

Sample games

Figura-Forzoni (AISE Grand Prix 1994)

1. b3
2. c5 c4
3. b:c4 Bb2 B:g7
4. B:g7 B:a1 Qc7 Q:h2
5. R:h2 R:h7 R:f7 R:e7 R:d7
6. B:d7 Rh7 Ne7 Ng5 Bf5 B:c2
7. Q:c2 Q:g6 Q:h7 Q:b7 Q:a7 Q:b8 Q:e8
8. R:e8 R:e2 R:f2 R:g2 R:d2 R:a2 Bh8 Bc3 and wins. (0-1)

Mori-Forzoni (AISE Grand Prix 1994)

1. a3
2. c6 Qa5
3. c4 Qc2 Q:h7
4. Q:a3 Q:b2 R:h7 R:h2
5. R:h2 R:a7 R:b7 R:b8 B:b2
6. R:b8 R:b2 R:d2 R:e2 R:f2 R:g2
7. R:g2 R:g7 R:f7 R:e7 R:d7 c5 Kf2
8. Bc5 B:f2 B:g1 B:d7 Nf6 Nh5 Nf4 Nh3 draw (1/2-1/2).