Gryphon Aanca Chess

Setup

As in the figure... but on a 12 x 12 board and with a mirror image for black.*

*It is possible to have different setups for White and black, as follows:

The starting positions can be similar to as seen in the figure, but with 1 or both Retnuhs (above shown at e1 / h1 for White) switched in position with Royal Aides (above shown at d2 / e2 / h2 / i2 for White).  Black can choose an independent setup (i.e. he need not mimic White's pattern in regard to Retnuhs and Royal Aides.)

This flexible setup aspect of the game is similar to a piece repositioning allowed in Korean Chess.

Note: The setup must be made at the beginning of the game, prior to the first move.  It is only then that the players can switch positions of 1 or both Retnuhs with Royal Aides .

Pieces

Note: Since making this game it has come to my attention that some of the pieces have several names. David Paulowich has pointed out many naming convention issues, such as the Retnuh, which I created, is now known to have existed in 1999.  See Notes for additional information.

Pawns - As in Fide Chess except. a) A pawn on a player's third rank can move 1, 2, or 3 spaces straight. (b) a pawn on a player's 4th rank can move 1 or 2 spaces straight.  There is a pawn en passant option which applies to pawns which move 2 or 3 spaces (providing that if they moved either 1 or 2 spaces they could have been captured by a pawn.  Pawns promote to any piece that exists at beginning of game - except King.
 
IMPORTANT: Pawns promote on file 11 for White, on File 2 for Black.

Falcon (aka Hawker, Y-rider): (See Images c2 / j2) Moves one leg of Y - Diagonally forward as a Bishop or straight backward as a  Rook.

Noclaf: (See Images f2 / g2) Move diagonally forward as a Bishop, or backward as a Knight to one of four squares.

Aanca (aka Elephant Bird, Archdeacon): (see Images c1 / j1) Move orthogonally 1 space, then optionally moves as a Bishop. 


Gryphon (aka Griffin): (See Images a1 / l1) Move diagonally 1 space, then optionally as a Rook.  An exception to this is allowed for castling.


Hunter (aka Grey Whale, Multi-General [Suisho]): (See Images b2 / k2) Moves one leg of upside-down Y pattern: Straight ahead as a Rook, or diagonally backward as a Bishop.

Retnuh (aka Firehorse): (See Images e1 / h1) Moves straight ahead as a Rook, or  backward as a Knight to one of four squares.

IMPORTANT: At the beginning of the game, prior to the first move, players can switch positions of 1 or both Retnuhs with Royal Aides.  This is similar to a pre-game switch allowed in Korean Chess.  It does not count as a move.


Royal Aide (aka Dosho, or Copper General): (See Images d2 / e2 / h2 / i2 ) Moves and captures 1 square ahead straight or 1 square ahead diagonally. Instead of one of the three forward possibilities, it can move and/or capture 1 space straight back. 

Note: In my Jean Louis Casaux based set the helmet triangles point in the direction of the 3 possible forward movements. The goatee is a reminder of the 1 backward possibility. 

King, Queen, Knight, Rook, and Bishop.  As in Chess - but see rules affecting castling.  In this game Rooks are not involved in castling; but Gryphons are.

Rules

Similar to chess, but with new pieces and initial multiple movement.

1. MOVEMENT - On each of the first five moves of the game, a player can move as follows, providing he does not cross his 6th rank:
(a) move a combination of up to five different pawns and/or pieces
(b) if he (or she) desires to move a pawn or piece beyond their 6th rank they can... however, they can move that pawn or piece only.

2. CASTLING - is not allowed through a check.  King and associated Gryphon (not rook) must not have moved prior to castling.  To Castle: Move the King 2, 3, or 4 spaces toward the associated Gryphon; and move the Gryphon adjacent to the King, but toward the center of the board.

Clarifications and updates to the rules will be added as needed.

Win by checkmating your opponent or forcing a resignation.

Notes