dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (04/25/84)
I used to be a regular player at the Toronto Chess Club, and when
things got boring there were a couple of variations we'd play.
Cylindrical Chess: a regular game, except that the board is considered
to be a cylinder. That is, the two rook files are next to each other.
(Use a flexible board and imagine physically picking up the two sides
and bringing them together.) Thus, for example, a pawn on h4 can capture
an opposing pawn on a5; also, a B starting at c1 can progress
c1-b2-a3-h4-g5-f6-e7-d8 (and thus capture the opposing Queen if the right
pawns are out of the way).
Doublechess is a riot if you have four good speedchess players.
A and B are partners and C and D are partners. A plays white against
C and B plays black against D. When A captures a black piece from C,
he passes it over to B (and vice-versa). As a move, instead of a
regular move, you may at any time place a piece you have been passed
onto the board as one of your own. (Pawns may not be placed on the
eighth rank.)
The clock is crucial because if you have an attack going, you
will wait for your partner to take a piece to help you out. Once the
King is forced to move in doublechess, an attack can proceed incredibly
swiftly, and pawns can be overwhelming. Of course, if your partner
sacrifices all kinds of material to get you the pawns you need to
win, he will be in danger off being destroyed, and your oppenent
will get all the material your partner sacrifices. It adds a great
tactical element to the game.
Anyone out there played doublechess, or is it a Toronto thing?
Dave Sherman
Toronto
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