| Game: Tim's 4x8x4 3D Chess |
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Created by Tim 0'Lena, 2002-07-06
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2 variants
Checkmate
2-player
3-dimensional
download 264 K
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Updated 2002-07-20
corrected castling notation |
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Created in 1999-2001 by Tim O'Lena while attempting to develop a logical and playable 3D chess game.
I designed this 3D chess game with the following ideas in mind:
- Preserve the concept of the Pawn being a front line of defense. In 2D, a line of Pawns stands between your pieces and the enemy. In this variant, a wall of Pawns performs this function. I didn't like set-ups in which the armies begin diagonally opposed (for example, Raumschach).
- Use two Kings instead of one and require that they BOTH remain safe. This reduces drawishness and makes the endgame more like orthodox chess, meaning that the advantage of a Pawn or Rook may be enough to win. I believe that KKQ can force mate against KK.
- Use only standard pieces extended to 3D - no unusual pieces.
- Use full 3D movement. Allow the King and Queen to use the 3D diagonal.
The ZRF for this game borrows graphics from Robert Koernke's QuadLevel Chess ZRF. In fact, my ZRF was generated by modifying the QuadLevel ZRF.
I was unaware of QuadLevel Chess when I came up with mine. In fact, I was also unaware of the Zillions of Games software.
The differences are:
- This variant allows the King and Queen to use the 3D diagonal. This seemed the most natural and logical.
- My set-up has a King side and Queen side like Orthodox chess. Again, this seemed the most natural and logical. Each opening move has a unique effect in this set up. In QuadLevel, the upper King and Queen are swapped thus giving the set-up point symmetry; each opening move has a twin.
- I do not use a change-in-distance rule. Pieces have full 3D freedom.
My first impression was that, while castling is a good idea in orthodox chess, it didn't seem necessary for 3D. However, after playing QuadLevel chess, the 3D castling grew on me and it is incorporated here. I have also included a variant with no castling.
Questions, comments, flames: tolena AT earthlink DOT net.
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(264 K)
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