Chasm Chess
By Danielle Allen
Introduction
This chess variant was developed for the use of the members of the Notre Dame School Chess Club in Kitchener, Ontario. Chasm Chess is inspired, in part, by Canyon Chess. However, Chasm Chess more closely follows the rules of regular chess than Canyon Chess does. Chasm Chess might therefore be considered a simpler variant.
Board
The game uses the standard 8X8, 64-cell board. However, the following cells constitute the unplayable chasm: c6, d4, d5, e4, e5, and f3.
Setup
The opening array is as follows:
White has Berolina pawns on the 2nd rank, rooks, knights, and a king in the
normal opening positions, reflecting bishops at c1 and f1, and a reflecting
queen at d1.
Black has Berolina pawns on the 7th rank, rooks, knights and a king in the
normal opening positions, reflecting bishops at c8 and f8, and a reflecting
queen at d8.
Pieces
Standard FIDE chess pieces are used in this game. Pieces (except for the pawns, bishops and queens) possess their regular moves.
Knights, reflecting bishops, reflecting queens, and rooks can pass over the
chasm squares. Pieces are not allowed to occupy the chasm squares. Pieces
that do end up on the chasm squares or pieces that are forced onto the chasm
squares drop out of the game and, as a result, are lost.
The reflecting bishops and the reflecting queens can bounce off one, two, or
three sides to move or capture. The reflecting bishops and reflecting queens
cannot jump over pieces, but they can, of course, jump over the chasm squares.
Rules
A player wins by mating his opponents king.
A king that is forced into a chasm square is, de facto, mated.
Castling is permitted. Pawns promote. En passant captures are not legal in this
variant.
Equipment
Standard chess equipment is used.
Credits