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The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants
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Four File Chess
Kris Barski sent in October 1999 the rules of Four File Chess, as a
submission to the contest to design a chess variant
on a board with 40 squares.
Rules
The game begins with ten ranks and four files. Each player has four
pawns, beginning on the second and ninth ranks. Players begin with
king, bishop, knight, rook. Kings and pawns on their first move may
cover three unobstructed squares, other pieces move as in standard
chess. Pawns may promote to queens upon reaching the tenth rank. Upon
reaching the tenth rank any piece may be swapped, for one that was lost
earlier, except a pawn.
No en passant or castling.
Board and setup
The following diagram shows the board and starting setup again.
This game is a submission to contest to design a
chess variant on a board with 40 squares.
Written by Kris Barski, with some additions (e.g., diagram), by Hans Bodlaender.
WWW page created: October 19, 1999.
Last modified: Monday, December 22, 2008
