STANDARD LAYOUT

This page is intended to be a first draft for a standard layout for content pages. The following is my suggestion as to what our standard layout might look like.

Introduction

Short description of the game, who invented it, how and when it came to be invented. Mention of other people who assisted with the game, people who inspired or supplied ideas for the game, or other games this game is based on or related to.

(The following section is not needed if the orthodox chess initial array is used.)

Setup

Diagram of the initial game board. For boards other than the standard 8x8 chess board, or if the game uses a notation other than standard algebraic notation, then the diagram should include notational references. If the ffen2diag script is used, then a NOSCRIPT tag should be used to include a diagram that does not depend on Javascript.

To the side of the board, or below the board, include a textual listing of the pieces, and the coordinates at which they are initially located. A textual diagram can be used instead of a list of pieces with coordinates.

Diagram techniques:

Use the ffen2diag script to generate the diagram. If this is used, a NOSCRIPT tag should also be used. This tag would contain HTML code that would generate a diagram without using a script. For an example of this technique, see the Spacious Torus web page.
Use a single graphic. This graphic might be created from a screen shot from a Zillions of Games implementation. In this case, ascii diagrams should be included either by placing the ascii diagram to the side (using a table), or by putting the ascii diagram in the ALT property of the IMG tag. For an example of this technique, see Fergus Duniho's Fusion Diamond 41.
Use the above technique by taking a screenshot from the Play by email system.
Use the ffen2htm utility to generate the HTML code for displaying the diagram.

(The following section is not needed if the orthodox chess pieces are being used, and they move as in orthodox chess.)

Pieces

A listing of the pieces used. For each piece the following information should be listed:

The graphic (if any) and/or letter used to represent the piece in the above initial game board
The name of the piece
The movement of piece

An HTML TABLE is usually used, but is not mandatory. An example of a piece listing which uses graphics can be found on the Xhess web page. An example of a different style of listing pieces can be found on the Wormhole Chess web page.

Rules

A listing of the rules for the game. A numbered list is preferred (for easy referencing). The author should take care to address special circumstances such as the intial two-square pawn move, en passant, castling, pawn promotion and stalemate.

The remaining sections are optional:

Playing Tips

Strategies, piece values, and other observations about playing the game.

Computer Play

Information on playing the game via computer. Links to Zillions of Games files would go here. Links to play-by-email and online play would also go here.

Equipment

Information on what sort of equipment would be needed to play the game in person.

Sample Game

Link to a page illuatrating the moves of an actual game of this variant. If the game is short, the actual moves could be included on this page instead of using a link.

Contact

Author/inventor contact information.

Written by David Howe.

WWW page created: November 17, 2001.