CHESMAYNE

dueling-1                                                                                                                                                                                                     manha de carnaval

 

 

 

Burmese

links:   Burmese chess    Burmese chess    Burmese traditional chess

One of the unusual features of Burmese chess is that the mps promote on different cells to the western 8 x 8 chessboard.  In the diagram below the purple cells indicate the cells on which the mps [Burmese Pawns = PBs) are promoted/enrobed/queened – highly unusual!    In ‘western chess’ the pawns [PAs] are promoted on ranks-1 and 8 instead.  The diagram below shows the Initial Starting Position (ISP) of the MPs/mps for Burmese Chess.    Other starting positions (ISPs) are also allowed – see below!   The monograms for the chess pieces used are King, Rook, Knight, Elephant, Adviser and Burmese Pawn - KI, RO, KT, EL, AD and PB.  

                               The above diagram was produced using the ‘Zillions’ program The Zillions Index

 

Monogram, Name and Number of the MPs/mps used in Burmese chess.

1 KI = King.

1 AD = Adviser.  AD1.

2 RO = Rook.   RO1 and RO2.  Carriages.

2 KT = Knight.   KT1 and KT2.  Horses.

2 ET = Elephant.   ET1 and ET2.

8 PB = Pawn Burmese.   PB1 to PB8.  Soldiers.

There are a total of 16 MPs/mps per side in Burmese chess (32 in total).

                               

The above diagram was produced using the ‘Zillions’ program The Zillions Index  

Below: ISP-01

 

 

 

 

 RO2

 

RO1

 

8

 

 

  KI

KT2

ET1

KT1

 

 

7

 

 

ET2

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

KT2

ET2

 

3

 

 

 

ET1

 

KT1

 KI

 

2

 

 

RO1

 

 RO2

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

 

Pawn Burmese

Monogram: Pawn Burmese (PB) PB1, PB2, PB3 etc.

First Move Option: (FMO): 1 cell diagonally forward.

All Other Moves: (AOM): 1 cell diagonally forward.

Capture: (*): 1 cell diagonally forward.

Promotable: (#): Yes (only to AD, see below).

Special Move: See promotion rules below.

 

01 Also known as ‘Sittuyin.’

02 Differing ISPs are permitted (eight ISPs are listed below).

03 A good book on Burmese Chess is ‘Burmese Chess Guide’ (‘Myan-ma sit bayin lan-nyunt sa-ok gyi’) by Shwei-gyin U Bha.

04 Burmese Chess has died out in Lower Burma but is played in tea-houses in the north-west.   Unfortunately it has been replaced by traditional western chess. 

Above: Burmese Flag

05 Traditional Burmese MPs/mps are made of wood.    :A are coloured red.   :B are coloured black. 

06 The playing area (traditional board) is an 8 x 8 unchequered board. 

07 There are a total of 32 MPs/mps (each player has 8 MPs and 8 mps). 

08 The KI, ROs (RO1 and RO2), KTs (KT1 and KT2) are the exact same as used in traditional western chess.    There are a lack of Vector MPs (BSs and QU - long-range). 

09 AD1 (Adviser) moves one cell diagonally forward or back. 

10 Two Elephants.   ET1 and ET2 move one cell diagonally or, can move one cell forward (changing from the XL to the XD cells in the process).   Note: to account for the slight difference in the moving ability of ET1, ET2 (used in Burmese chess) and EL1, EL2 (used in Shatranj) a different monogram is used.  Both types of MP are Elephants. 

11 Each side has 8 mps. 

Pawn-Burmese: PB1, PB2, PB3, PB4, PB5, PB6, PB7 and PB8.

12 A PB does not have the option of moving two cells on the ‘initial first move’ (FMO).

13 A PB captures just like a PA.    The :ep

 (en passant) move is not available.

14 A PB is promoted when standing on any of the long diagonals in your opponent’s half of the board ie, file 5, 6, 7 or 8 for :A

.   For :A these cells are $A08, $B07, $C06, $D05 on the left-side of the board (QUs-side).   For :A $E05, $F06, $G07, $H08 on the right-side of the board (KIs-side).   In the diagrams above the purple cells [or, sharp symbol, # ] indicates these promotion cells.   Promotion cells used in Burmese Chess (XP cells = Purple). 

15 A PB can only be promoted to an AD (AD2, AD3 etc).    However, this is only permitted if AD1 has already been captured. 

16 Promotion does not come into effect immediately, but on a player’s next move (the following move).   The promotion can come into effect on the cell on which the PB is placed as mentioned above ie, without moving.   It can also come into effect by moving one cell diagonally.   This diagonal move cannot capture your opponents (AD1) in the process of the move.   This diagonal move cannot also give +CH. 

17 A PB that moves beyond its promotion cell cannot be promoted. 

18 The ISP of the PBs is shown in the diagram below.  All games of Burmese chess commence by placing the mps in this manner.   How to place the PBs on the Burmese Chess board (ISP):

Below: ISP-01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

19 :A and :B now input their MPs anywhere behind the PBs (alternately).  The MPs are placed (one at a time) by :A

 and :B.   :A inputs first. 

20 You are allowed to replace (swap) a mp with a MP.   The mp is then re-placed on an unoccupied cell in your own half of the board.    There are a few restrictions to this rule ie, B-RO1 or B-RO2 cannot be placed on the same file as A-KI.    :B cannot place RO1 and RO2 on the same file if :A finds this objectionable. 

21 The objective of the game is to checkmate the opposing KI.  

22 The red side (:A) commences the game. 

23 +CH must be verbally announced. 

24 Stalemate [++ST] is not permitted.    You must allow the other side to make a move. 

25 Perpetual check (+PC) is possible in Burmese chess. 

26 A draw by repetition of position is possible. 

27 The endgame has some rules peculiar to Burmese chess (see below). 

28 KI and RO must checkmate a lone KI in 16 moves or the contest is a draw. 

29 If the bare KI is in any of the four cells of each corner of the board or on one of the central cells (B$A) which is referred to as ‘the 4 cells of the death of the KI’, this is referred to as ‘5 moves in 4 cells’ and the counting of the moves does not begin until the defender’s 5th move has been completed. 

30 There are 8 ISPs considered favorable for the MPs (listed below).  ISP-01 is also used in the sample game also given below. 

Below: ISP-01

 

 

 

 

 RO2

 

RO1

 

8

 

 

  KI

KT2

ET1

KT1

 

 

7

 

 

ET2

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

KT2

ET2

 

3

 

 

 

ET1

 

KT1

 KI

 

2

 

 

RO1

 

 RO2

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

Below: ISP-02

 

 

 

 

 

RO1

RO2

 

8

 

 

 KI

KT2

ET2

 

 

 

7

 

KT1

ET1

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

KT2

 

 

3

 

ET1

KI

ET2

KT1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

RO1

RO2

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

Below: ISP-03

 

 

 

 

 RO1

 

RO2

 

8

 

 

 KI

KT1

KT2

ET2

 

 

7

 

 

ET1

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

ET2

KT2

 

3

 

 

 

ET1

KT1

KI

 

 

2

 

RO1

RO2

 

 

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

Below: ISP-04

 

 

RO1

 

 

RO2

 

 

8

 

KI

 

KT2

ET2

 

 

 

7

 

ET1

KT1

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

ET2

 

 

3

 

 

ET1

KT1

KT2

KI

 

 

2

 

RO1

 

RO2

 

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

Below: ISP-05

 

 

 

RO1

 

RO2

 

 

8

 

KI

KT2

 

ET2

 

 

 

7

 

ET1

KT1

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

 

ET2

 

3

 

 

 

ET1

KT1

KT2

 KI

 

2

 

 

RO1

 

 

RO2

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

Below: ISP-06

 

 

  KI

 

 RO1

RO2

 

 

8

 

 

 ET1

KT2

 

 

ET2

 

7

 

 

AD1

KT1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

ET2

 

 

3

 

 

KT1

ET1

KT2

  KI

 

 

2

 

RO1

 

RO2

 

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

Below: ISP-07

 

 

 

RO1

 

RO2

 

 

8

 

  KI

KT1

 

KT2

 

 

 

7

 

ET1

ET2

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

KT2

AD1

 

 

3

 

ET1

 

 

KT1

ET2

 

 

2

 

 

RO1

RO2

 

  KI

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

Below: ISP-08

 

 

 

RO1

 

RO2

 

 

8

 

  KI

KT2

 

ET2

 

 

 

7

 

ET1

KT1

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

ET1

ET2

 

3

 

 

 

KT1

 

KT2

  KI

 

2

 

 

RO1

 

 RO2

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

There are 23 other subsidiary ISPs.    Six of these subsidiary ISPs are concerned with replacing MPs with mps.    Seven of the subsidiary ISPs are for :A only (:B is considered to have flexibility in deployment of the MPs/mps). 

31 A-KI is normally placed on $F02 or $G02.    B-KI is normally placed on $C07 or $B07. 

32 An ET is usually placed in front of the KI and a KT on the adjacent cell. 

33 If the KI is placed on rank-1, he is always input on file-C or, file-F. 

34 A-AD1 is usually input at $EO3 (A-AD1 is able to move forward between A-PB4 and A-PB5) and B-AD1 on $DO6.   AD1 is always placed adjacent to an ET, except when replacing a PB.   Axiom: ‘AD1 and ET should never be separated’.  Please see diagram of the board above which will make this clear to you?    

35 Except when placed in the four cells of the corners of the board, RO1 and RO2 should be placed in close proximity. 

36 Due to the opposing PBs being in close proximity to each other, early fights ensue.  Notice that A-PB5 can capture B-PB5 in the ISP. 

37 Here is an example game of Burmese Chess.   Set-up the chess pieces as shown in the diagram below? 

ISP-01 is shown in the diagram below. 

The name of :A’s deployment is known as ‘Horses front and back.’ 

The name of :B’s deployment is referred to as ‘Horses on either side.’ 

B:   Horses on either side 

 

 

 

 

 RO2

 

RO1

 

8

 

 

  KI

KT2

ET1

KT1

 

 

7

 

 

ET2

AD1

PB4

PB3

PB2

PB1

6

PB8

PB7

PB6

PB5

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

PB5

PB6

PB7

PB8

4

PB1

PB2

PB3

PB4

AD1

KT2

ET2

 

3

 

 

 

ET1

 

KT1

 KI

 

2

 

 

RO1

 

 RO2

 

 

 

1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

 

:A   Horses front and back

                        Burmese 8 x 8 board                        ISP Chesmayne style/format

               

Left: Burmese 8 x 8 board showing promotion cells in purple.  

Right: The Initial Starting Position (ISP).  KI, AD, ET, RO, KT and PBs.    King, Adviser, Elephant, Rook, Knight and Pawn [PB]

.  16 MPs/mps per player. 

 

Example game-01 - Burmese Chess

Set-up the board as shown above and play through the moves as listed below.   The moves below are given in the XY notation on the left.  

The Chesmayne acentric notation is shown on the right. 

01A

PB7-G04/G05

PB7-C08/C09

01B

PB4-E06/E05

PB4-B08/A03

02A

PB7-G05*F06-PB3

PB7-C09*B07-PB3

02B

ET1-E07/E06

ET1-C13/B08

03A

PB5-E04*D05-PB5

ET2-B10*A04-PB5

03B

ET2-C06*D05-PB5

ET2-B10*A04-PB5

04A

PB6-F04*E05-PB4

PB6-B05*A03-PB4

04B

AD1-D06*E05-PB6

AD1-B09*A03-PB6

05A

PB4-D03/D04

PB4-B02/A01

05B

BP6-C05/C04

BP6-B11/B12

06A

PB4-D04*E05-AD1

PB4-A01*A03-AD1

06B

ET1-E06*E05-PB4

ET1-B08*A03-PB4

07A

KT2-F03*E05-ET1

KT2-B04*A03-ET1

07B

KT2-D07*E05-KT2

KT2-C14*A03-KT2

08A

AD1-E03/D04

AD1-B03/A01

08B

KT2-E05/D07

KT2-A03/C14

09A

PB1-A03/A04

PB1-D27/D26

09B

PB7-B05*A04-PB1

PB7-C18/D26-PB1

10A

PB2-B03*C04-PB6

PB2-C20*B12-PB6

10B

ET2-D05*C04-PB2

ET2-A04*B12-PB2

11A

ET1-G03/F04

ET1-C07/B05

11B

KT2-D07*F06-PB7

KT2-C14*B07-PB7

12A

ET1-F04/E05

ET1-B05/A03

12B

KT2-F06/H05

KT2-B07/D12

13A

ET2-D02/D03

ET2-C03/B02

13B

ET2-C04*D03-ET2

ET2-B12*B02-ET2

14A

KT1-F02*D03-ET2

KT1-C05*B02-ET2

14B

PB2-G06/G05

PB2-C10/C09

15A

KT1-D03/C05

KT1-B02/B11

15B

KI-C07/C06

KI-C15/B10

16A

KT1-C05*A04-PB7

KT1-B11*B26

16B

PB2-G05*H04-PB8+CH

PB2-C09*D11-PB8+CH

17A

KI-G02/F02

KI-C06/C05

17B

KT1-F07/G05

KT1-C12/C09

18A

KI-F02/E03

KI-C05/B03

18B

RO1-G08/F08

RO1-D16/D17

19A

KI-E03/D03

KI-B03/B02

19B

KT1-G05/F03

KT1-C09/B04

20A

RO2-E01/E03

RO2-D05/B03

20B

KT2-H05/G07

KT2-D12/C11

21A

RO1-C01/B01

RO1-D03/D02

21B

KT1-F03*E05-ET1

KT1-B04*A03-ET1

22A

AD1-D04*E05-KT1

AD1-A01*A03-KT1

22B

RO2-E08/B08

RO2-D18/D21

23A

RO1-B01/G01

RO1-D02/D07

23B

KT2-G07/F05

KT2-C11/B06

24A

RO1-G01/G06+CH

RO1-D07/C10+CH

24B

KI-C06/B05

KI-B10/C18

25A

RO2-E03/E04

RO2-B03/A02

25B

RO1-F08/D08+CH

RO1-D17/D19+CH

26A

KI-D03/C02

KI-B02/C02

26B

RO1-D08/G08

RO1-D19/D16

27A

RO1-G06/F06

RO1-C10/B07

27B

RO1-G08/F08

RO1-D16/D17

28A

RO1-F06*F08-RO1

RO1-B07*D17-RO1

28B

RO2-B08*F08-RO1

RO2-D21*D17-RO1

29A

KI-C02/B03

KI-C02/C20

29B

KT2-F05/G03

KT2-B06/C07

30A

RO2-E04/C04

RO2-A02/B12

30B

RO2-F08/F01

RO2-D17/D06

31A

RO2-C04/C05+CH

RO2-B12/B11+CH

31B

KI-B05/A06

KI-C18/D24

32A

KI-B03/C04

KI-C20/B12

32B

KT2-G03/E04

KT2-C07/A02

33A

RO2-C05/C06+CH

RO2-B11/B10+CH

33B

KI-A06/B07

KI-D24/C16

34A

RO2-C06*H06-PB1

RO2-B10*D13-PB1

34B

RO2-F01/A01

RO2-D06/D01

35A

KT1-A04/B02

KT1-D26/C01

35B

RO2-A01/A03

RO2-D01/D27

36A

AD1-E05/D04

AD1-A03/A01

36B

KI-B07/C07

KI-C16/C15

37A

KT1-B02/D03

KT1-C01/B02

37B

KI-C07/D07

KI-C15/C14

38A

KT1-D03/F04

KT1-B02/B05

38B

PB2-H04/H03

PB2-D11/D10

39A

KT1-F04/D05

KT1-B05/A04

39B

KT2-E04/D06+CH

KT2-A02/B09+CH

40A

KI-C04/D03

KI-B12/B02

40B

RO2-A03/A01

RO2-D27/D01

41A

KT1-D05/E03

KT1-A04/B03

41B

PB2-H03/H02

PB2-D10/D09

42A

AD1-D04/E05

AD1-A01/A03

42B

KT2-D06/F07

KT2-B09/C12

43A

RO2-H06/H05

RO2-D13/D12

43B

PB2-H02/H01-#AD2

PB2-D09/D08-#AD2

44A

KI-D03/E04

KI-B02/A02

44B

RO2-A01/E01

RO2-D01/D05

45A

AD1-E05/D04

AD1-A03/A01

45B

AD2-H01/G02

AD2-H01/G02

46A

KI-E04/D05

KI-A02/A04

46B

AD2-G02/F03

AD2-C06/B04

47A

RO2-H05/H07

RO2-D12/D14

47B

KI-D07/E07

KI-C14/C13

48A

RO2-H07/H04

RO2-D14/D11

48B

KT2-F07/G05

KT2-C12/C09

49A

RO2-H04/F04

RO2-D11/B05

49B

RO2-E01/G01

RO2-D05/D07

50A

KI-D05/C06

KI-A04/B10

50B

AD2-F03/E04

AD2-B04/A02

51A

AD1-D04/E05

AD1-A01/A03

51B

KI-E07/E06

KI-C13/B08

52A

AD1-E05/F06

AD1-A03/B07

52B

KT2-G05/H07

KT2-C09/D14

53A

RO2-F04*E04-AD2+CH

RO2-B05*A02-AD2+CH

53B

KI-E06*F06-AD1

KI-B08*B07-AD1

54A

RO2-E04/A04++DR

RO2-A02/D26++DR

54B

RO2-G01/G05++DR

RO2-D07/C09++DR

 On move 16, B-RO1 gives check to A-KI.

:B promotes PB2 to #AD2 on move 43B.

At the end of this game each player has a KI, RO, KT and PB remaining.

 

Sittuyin, the Burmese Chess

Les échecs birmans

Quoi de neuf ?

Mes livres

Histoire des échecs

Variantes

Liens

Sittuyin is the Burmese Chess, the Chess played in Burma.   It is one of the most original chess variants played in the World, and it should merit much more attention.   Pronounced “siturin”, the word denotes a filiation with Sanskrit Chaturanga.   At the present time it is impossible to determine whether chess was imported directly from neighbouring India, like Buddhism which is the predominant religion, or from Siam (Thailand) or even Java, themselves being Indianized kingdoms at the end of the first millennium.  

Like Makruk Sittuyin was not known until a relatively late time.   The first report was made by Major Symes, British ambassador, in 1800 and confirmed by Captain Cox who had lived in the court of Amarapura in 1801.   Later, Doctor Adolf Bastian made a description in 1863. However, all these early descriptions were rather approximate.   Some confusion occurred, but this period ended with the publication of the first Burmese Chess Guide: ‘Myan-ma sit bayin lan-nyunt sa-ok gyi directed by Shwei-gyin U Bha’ in 1924 (source Pritchard).  

The game is played over an uncheckered 64-square board, with the long diagonals often marked.   At the beginning, only the Pawns [PBs] are placed.   

 

Above:  In all games of Burmese chess the PBs are placed as shown above. 

The other pieces are placed after, starting by Red first [:A], followed then by Black [:B].  This constitutes the most characteristic feature of this chess Variant.   This freedom of placement is probably a local answer to the slowness of development of the ancient Arab-Indian game.    It is comparable, although more modern and efficient, than the Ta’biyat in Shatranj (players choose a determined starting arrangement) or the Werera in Senterej (‘Ethiopian Chess’, players were playing as many moves as they wanted, at high speed, until the first capture). 

The moves of the pieces are those encountered in Thailand-Cambodia and which come from ancient India.   The main difference is small and related to the Pawn [PB] promotion which is here obtained when the Pawn [PB] crosses the long diagonal ahead.   Like in other Asian countries, the QU and BS are here a GE and an Elephant and their movement are the old 1-step move on 4 and 5 directions respectively.  

 Name

English  

Min-gyi

Grand King

Sit-ke

Lieutenant-General

Sin

Elephant

Myin

Horse

Yattah

Chariot

Ne

Pawn

Influenced by Hindu culture, the Chariot was sometimes represented like a Boat carrying a shrine over wheels.   In rougher works, some carvers finally omitted the wheels, or even the boat, leaving a kind of temple or tower, maybe under European influence. Comparable designs have been found in India.  

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

 

 

In honour of the legend of Rama, when the monkeys defeated the demons, the Pawns and the Riders are often carved as monkeys. 

Find the rules of Sittuyin, the Burmese Chess, on chessvariants.com

Retrouvez les règles du Sittuyin, les Echecs birmans, dans le Guide des Echecs exotiques et insolites

 

 

The images and photographs shown on this page are coming from the following sources: 

 

The authors of theses works, books and photographs, are kindly acknowledged. 
If there is any problem with their presence here, please do mail me. 

 

Mini Burmese Chess

Sittuyin’s second cousin, twice removed

Introduction

This chess variant was inspired by a variant of Chaturanga called Burmese Chess, or Sittuyin.   It has fewer total pieces than Sittuyin does, but the pieces have been somewhat modernized.   The pieces are placed on the board in a manner similar to Sittuyin, but without any complicated restrictions.   Many of the promotional and endgame rules of Sittuyin have also been simplified.    There is a Zillions of Games rules file available for anyone who would like to play this game.  

Setup of the Board

This game is played on a 6 x 6 board with four additional squares/cells, two on each side of the board.   These extra cells are not special in any way.   For the purposes of notation, the board will be considered an 8 x 8 board with 24 of the perimeter cells obscured.   At the start of the game, each player has in hand: one KI, one QU, one RO, one KT, one BS, and one Guard.  

 

:A PA on B03 – D03, E04 – G04. 

:B PA on B03 – D03, E04 – G04. 

Rules of the Game

 

All rules of orthodox chess apply unless otherwise stated.  :A places all in-hand pieces in the area behind friendly PAs, in any desired manner.   :B then places all in-hand pieces in the area behind friendly PAs, in any desired manner.  After all pieces have been positioned, the game begins with :A moving first.  Unlike Sittuyin, it is not allowed to place pieces on the positions of PAs.  Also unlike Sittuyin, :A cannot make objections to :B’s choice of setup.   The game is won by either checkmating or stalemating the enemy KI.   Upon reaching the seventh rank, PAs are promoted to any piece other than a KI. 

Movement of the Pieces

PA: A PA moves like an orthodox PA, except that it cannot make a ‘double step’.   It promotes on the 7th rank to QU, RO, KT, BS, or Guard. 

KT: A KT moves like an orthodox KT. 

Guard: A Guard leaps to the second square/cell in any direction, or may make a non-capturing move one square/cell orthogonally. 

BS: A BS moves like an orthodox BS. 

RO: A RO moves like an orthodox RO.   It may not castle with the KI. 

QU: A QU moves like an orthodox QU, but only up to three squares/cells away. 

KI: A KI moves like an orthodox KI.    The KI cannot castle in this game. 

Additional Notes

I tried to use the most flexible features of Sittuyin to help keep the game from feeling too dense.   Once both sides have placed all of their pieces, the density of the board is 60%.   The PA setup I borrowed from Sittuyin also helps to make the smaller board size less of an issue.   After simplifying the endless list of arcane restrictions that Sittuyin imposes, the resulting game probably borrows more from orthodox chess than from Sittuyin.  

 

Written by A.J. Winkelspecht.

This is an entry in the contest to design a chess variant on a board with 40 squares.  

From ‘Chess Variants’ web page. 

 

 

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