Jose Carrillo wrote on Sat, Jan 10, 2009 06:30 PM UTC:
Hi Simon!
I'll try to answer your questions:
>> 1. Are there any websites dedicated to Modern Chess...
No, other than here at Chess Variants, I do not know of any othe websites dedicated to Modern Chess.
>> I mean do people actually play it?
Yes, still in Puerto Rico (where the game was invented in 1968), but not as much anymore.
You can't find Original (brand new) Modern Chess sets anymore.
I got this original (used) Modern Chess set last year while visiting Puerto Rico.
>> 2. It's tempting but I don't like the Bishop adjustment thingy.
It's the only kind of obscure rule, but it was the creator's way of solving the problem of Bishops starting on the same color (which the creator actually didn't see as a problem).
>> Unless perhaps, would giving the Bishop the option to utilise one opportunity per game to move one square in any direction be good?
I guess one can use it as an option or alternative to the original rule. It must agreed before the start of the game to use this variation of the rule.
>> 3. Is it one sided playing an odd number of squares? Does Black or White have a distinct advantage on a 9 x 9 square board?
No. There is no advantage for either player, other than for white having the first move (just like in Orthodox Chess).
>> 4. Where can I buy a 9 x 9 board?
You can try:
Ministers Chess (9x9) at http://www.corinthiangames.com/
or
International Chess Variants Board (10x10, and you make it smaller) at http://www.modern.chess.variants.tripod.com/
In Europe you should be able to get other 10x10 International (Polish) Checkers (draughts) boards, which you can customize to 9x9, and use your chess pieces from a couple of Orthodox Chess Sets.
I also found last year a copy of the Spanish version of the game inventor's book in a library of rare books in Spain.
I'll try to answer your questions:
>> 1. Are there any websites dedicated to Modern Chess...
No, other than here at Chess Variants, I do not know of any othe websites dedicated to Modern Chess.
>> I mean do people actually play it?
Yes, still in Puerto Rico (where the game was invented in 1968), but not as much anymore.
You can't find Original (brand new) Modern Chess sets anymore.
I got this original (used) Modern Chess set last year while visiting Puerto Rico.
>> 2. It's tempting but I don't like the Bishop adjustment thingy.
It's the only kind of obscure rule, but it was the creator's way of solving the problem of Bishops starting on the same color (which the creator actually didn't see as a problem).
>> Unless perhaps, would giving the Bishop the option to utilise one opportunity per game to move one square in any direction be good?
I guess one can use it as an option or alternative to the original rule. It must agreed before the start of the game to use this variation of the rule.
>> 3. Is it one sided playing an odd number of squares? Does Black or White have a distinct advantage on a 9 x 9 square board?
No. There is no advantage for either player, other than for white having the first move (just like in Orthodox Chess).
>> 4. Where can I buy a 9 x 9 board?
You can try:
Ministers Chess (9x9) at http://www.corinthiangames.com/
or
International Chess Variants Board (10x10, and you make it smaller) at http://www.modern.chess.variants.tripod.com/
In Europe you should be able to get other 10x10 International (Polish) Checkers (draughts) boards, which you can customize to 9x9, and use your chess pieces from a couple of Orthodox Chess Sets.
I also found last year a copy of the Spanish version of the game inventor's book in a library of rare books in Spain.