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Delirious Bughouse

Written by Alberto Monteiro

The Evolution

Who did that?

The variant was developed by me (Alberto Vieira Ferreira Monteiro) and Carlos Eugenio Lossio Seiblitz Filho. The previous versions had the help of Oscar Luiz Vieira Ferreira, and Carlos Vieira Ferreira, and the unvoluntary help from Oscar Vieira Ferreira (my uncle and the father of Oscar Luiz and Carlos V.F.). Its final step was achieved around 1984.

Bughouse

It started with the "Bughouse"variant, with the two important exceptions:
              Black2                               White3                   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | r | n | b | q | k | b | n | r |    | R | N | B | K | Q | B | N | R |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | p | p | p | p | p | p | p | p |    | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |    | p | p | p | p | p | p | p | p |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |    | r | n | b | k | q | b | n | r |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
             White1                                Black4                   
                                                                           

White1 plays against Black2, and White3 plays against Black4. White1 and Black4 are allies: if either of them is checkmated, the other loses. The game proceeds simultaneously in the two boards, and each piece that is captured in one board goes to the ally, that may use on move to insert the piece anywhere [exceptions: pawns must enter from the 2nd to the 6th line].

Example: if White1 vs Black2 goes: 1-e4 d5 2-exd5 while White3 vs Black4 goes 1-Nf3, then now Black4 can play "Pawn enters into e5". Of course, this game must be played with the team in mind: sometimes it's better to make a "sacrificial" capture just to give the piece to the ally.

Dice Chess

At the same time, we developed "Dice Chess": before every move, the player throws a die: 1=pawn, 2=knight, 3=bishop, 4=rook, 5=queen, 6=any; if a move is impossible, then choose any move. Example, if White gets a 4, he may play any move, if he gets a 2, he must move 1-Na3, Nc3, Nf3 or Nh3.

The strategy for this game is: try to get rid of the pair of minor pieces, so that the number allocated to that piece will be used for "best move".

"You always plays the Worst Move!"

Then, criticizing a move my cousin had made, my uncle blamed him of playing "always the worst move". With this, we created the "worst move" game: instead of one die, each move would be a combination of two dice: one of them works as above (1=Pawn, etc), and the other tells if the player is entitled to "the best" or "the worst" move. Of course, if "the worst" is chosen, it means that the opponent choses the move. Example: if White takes "4 + worst", it's likely that Black will choose 1-f3?? as the first move!

However, unless the 1-f3 e5 2-g4?? Qh4++ game is selected, this game usually becomes a draw, as it's easy to build a suicide move than a checkmate.

Bughouse Worst Move

And we combined the two ideas: playing with two boards and two dice. An example of game would be (the games were in sequence: White1, Black2, White3, Black4):
    White1         Black2            White3          Black4
1-  (3, best):e4   (5,worst):f5?     (2,best):Nc3    (4,worst):f6?
2-  (3,worst):Ba6? (2,worst):Nc6?    (4,best):Rb1    (1,worst):g5?
3-  (4,worst):Ke2? (3,best):gxa6     (6,best)
And now White3, playing the best of all possible moves, may place the just captured Bishop at h5, checkmating Black4's King.

Final position:

              Black2                               White3 [B]               
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | r | n | b | q | k | b |   | r |    | R | N | B | K | Q | B | R |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | p |   | p | p | p |   | p | p |    | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | p |   |   |   |   | n |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   | N |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   | p |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   | P |   |   |   |    |   | p |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   | K |   |   |   |    |   |   | p |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | P | P | P | P |   | P | P | P |    | p |   |   | p | p | p | p | p |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | R | N | B | Q |   |   | N | R |    | r | n | b | k | q | b | n | r |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
             White1                                Black4                   

Bughouse Worst Move with Fairy Pieces

The next step came naturally: one day we were playing without dice, and we replaced the dice by a deck of cards. 1 = P, 2 = N, ... 6 = any, 7 = 1 (modulus 6) = P, 8 = N, ..., Q = 6 = any. But what would we do about the King?

Well, now enters the set of imaginary pieces: if the player takes a King, he is entitled to a fairy chess piece. Initially, our set was limited to the standard Camel-Giraffe-Zebra (extensions of the Knight, that move, instead of [2,1], by vectors [3,1], [4,1] and [3,2]) plus the Taxi (a special pawn that can move backwards, and from the 2nd line can go to the 5th line - this pawn can be captured en passant in two different ways...), the Pyramid (it can be dropped at any place, but once it's dropped, nothing can enter its square) and the Atomic Bomb (desintegrated all pieces in a 3x3 square - those pieces are actually removed from the game. The King, of course, is immune to "radiation").

Then, we started adding a whole bestiary of fantasy pieces, including Pawn-like that promote not to the standard set, but to fairy sets.

An example: one set is composed of "cylindrical" pieces. These pieces view the board as if it was cylindrical , joining the a column with the h column: a Cylindrical Bishop at a1 attacks h2, a Cylindrical Knight at a1 attacks h3 and g2. The cylindrical pawn promotes to a cylindrical Rook, Knight, Bishop or Queen.

Bughouse Worst Move with Fairy Pieces and Delirant Pieces, Structures, Events and Magic Items

And finally, but now this madness was limited just to me and Carlos Seiblitz, we added the "structures", "magic items" (inspired by D&D role playing game), "weird pieces" and "events".

Examples of "structure":

  1. the chessboard becomes cylindrical .
  2. an extra row is added.

Examples of "magic items":

  1. ring of invisibility (the opponent does not know where the piece is moving until it captures or attacks the King).
  2. cloak of double strenght: the piece can only be captured if it is suffering a double attack.
Examples of "weird pieces":
  1. The Piramid, that occupies a square and makes it impossible to be occupied by any other piece (imagine the devastating effect of a piramid placed at e3: it will block the e2 pawn, and so the King Bishop will have to develop by g2).
  2. The Atomic Bomb, that eliminates all pieces (except the King, that has immunity to radiation :-)) in a 3x3 square.
  3. The Medusa, that instead of capturing, turns the adversaries to "stone" (transforming them to Piramids).
  4. Pieces with Magic Spells (instead of capturing abilities), for example, the Mage with Charm, that changes the colour of the other piece

Examples of "events":

  1. "Bacteria Invasion": the empty squares are (randomly) occupied by bacterias; at each round they evolve like the game of "Life"
  2. 90 degrees rotation of the Board, with random promotion of all pawns that are moved to the 8th line.

Matches

For one game, it's enough to know which side has won (and victory means capturing one of the oponent's King). For match, it's interesting to give "bonus" to weird combinations. The punctuation is:

+1 for victory

+1 if the checkmate (the check that preceded the capture of the King) was given by a moving (as opposed to a dropping) piece

+1 if the checkmate uses a non-fide feature (example: the checkmate given by the Camel in the first move after the sequence: 1- White1 gets a Camel, White1 plays "best of 4", White1 drops the Camel at f5)

+1 if the checkmate uses a non-attacking piece (example: in the position, below, White1 drops an atomic bomb at d6)


              Black2                               White3                   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | r | n | b | q | k | b | n | r |    | R | N | B | K | Q | B | N | R |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | p | p | p | p | p | p | p | p |    | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   | B |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | P | P | P | P | Q | P | P | P |    | p | p | p | p | p | p | p | p |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | R | N | B |   | K |   | N | R |    | r | n | b | k | q | b | n | r |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
             White1 [Atomic Bomb]                  Black4                   

Strategy

Since there is a strong random element involved, the purpose of the game is creating several different mating possibilities, either by blocking the opponent king, or inviting the king to an exposed position.

The four basic strategies are:

  1. Advance the KBP and the KNP, so that the diagonal K1-KB2-KN3-KR4 can be used by either a Bishop or a Queen to checkmate.
  2. Keep the King blocked by his own pieces and wait for a Zebra, Giraffe, or Camel.
  3. Keep the King blocked, but create one weak spot close to the King, so that a Piece can be dropped to checkmate. Example: White drops a Pawn at e6, moves Black's KBP to f6, and waits for a Queen or Bishop to be dropped at f7.
  4. Bring the King to open field, so that checkmate comes naturally. An example would be: 1-e4 (...) 2-Ke2?? (...) 3-Kd3??? (...) 4-P@e2??. White King is so vulnerable, that mating combinations are easy to appear.
  5. Other! This game has such an increadible number of pieces, that almost one new strategy must be designed for each new piece.

A sample game

This game was played by e-mail, in September and October 1995. The random movements were generated by the Dice-Server, at (email removed contact us for address) post4.uni-c.dk. I represent by (move)? when the move was "the worse" with that type of piece, (move)?? when the move was the worst of all, (move)! when it was the best with that piece, and (move)!! when it was the best of all. It doesn't mean that the strategy was right, it just represents the constraints of the move. I also keep track of the number of "cards"; each move was dictated by a "card", but some cards give a piece.

I played for White1 and Black4, while Seiblitz played for Black2 and White3

The first random event was quite lucky for me: I received a Pawn-Camel [Pl, a modified pawn, that instead of capturing in diagonal, captures one square further. Example: a Pl at e4 may move to e5 and capture at g5 or c5] and a combination Reflective Bishop + Camel [Brl; a reflective bishop "reflects" at the sides of the board: for example, one of them from f3 might move f3-g4-h5-g6-f7; the Camel is a Knight-like piece that moves 3 squares in one direction and 1 square 90 degrees apart].

And now, if I got to play "The Best of 3", "The Best of 4", "The Best of 5", or "The Best of 6", I would checkmate Seiblitz on the first move!!

But I got "The Worst of all", so Seiblitz played for White1, and dropped my Brl in the worst possible place: h6.

  1- Get a Pl and a Brl
  1- Brl @ h6 ??

              Black2                               White3                   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | r | n | b | q | k | b | n | r |    | R | N | B | K | Q | B | N | R |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | p | p | p | p | p | p | p | p |    | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |Brl|    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |    | p | p | p | p | p | p | p | p |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
   | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |    | r | n | b | k | q | b | n | r |   
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
	     White1 [Pl]                           Black4
                                                                           
Now, Black2 has the killing combination of 1-... (any) x h6 followed by White3's 1- Brl @ f5 or d5++. But Black2 got "the Worst of 2", so I eliminated the possibility of Nxh6 by playing 1-... Nf6?

White3 got the "Best of 1" and played 1-e4! [?]; not a very good move, since it creates a weak point at e3.

Black4 got the "Best of 1" and I played the correct 1-... e6!, defending both f5 and d5 and giving an escape square for the King, preventing Brl @ f5 or d5.

Now, White1 gets the "Worst of 1", and Seiblitz decides to neutralize the Pl, putting it into a position where it can be taken by Black2, but can't do anything better. I think his strategy should be more agressive: place the Pl at e6, where it could be captured or forced to give check by Pl x b7 or Pl x h7, so that White3 could use it to block e7 with Pl @ h6 or c6. But he plays 2 - Pl @ a3?

  1- Get a Pl and a Brl
  1- Brl @ h6 ??        Nf6?            1- e4!          e6! [5th card]
  2- Pl @ a3 ?

              Black2         (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3                   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b | q | k | b |   | r |8  1| R | N | B | K | Q | B | N | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p | p | p | p | p | p | p | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   | n |   |Brl|6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |5  4|   |   |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   |   | p |   |   |   |   |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p |   | p | p | p | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b | n | r |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1    (Alberto Monteiro)            Black4                   
                                                                           
The next moves were:
  2-  ....              g5?             2- Nc3!                        
It's usually better to develop the KN to KR3, to give an extra protection to KB2. But Nc3! menaces Nd5!, blocking e7. The less free squares the opponent King has, the better your chances of win.
  2-  ....              ....            2- ....         Na6? [9th card]
Placing the Knight in an attacked position (Bxa6).
              Black2         (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3                   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b | q | k | b |   | r |8  1| R | N | B | K | Q | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p | p | p | p | p | p |   | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   | n |   |Brl|6  3|   |   |   |   |   | N |   |   |3
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   | p |   |5  4|   |   |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   |   | p |   |   |   | n |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p |   | p | p | p | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b |   | r |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1    (Alberto Monteiro)            Black4                   
                                                                           
Now, to the despair of Seiblitz, the card I got was a "King", and I receive 3 extra pieces: One Cylindrial Rook with Intelligence [Rci], and Two Cylindrical Pawn with Intelligence [Pci]. The "Cylindrial" part means that those pieces view the board as if columns _a_ and _h_ were joined together. The "Intelligence" part means that those pieces never do the "Worst Move". For example, if White1 were to play the "Worst of 4", Black2 would "touch" White1's Rci [forced, it's the only available 4] and White1 would then choose the Rci's movement. But I (White1) got the "Best of 3", and started a long-range combination:
  3-  Brl x c8!

              Black2         (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3                   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b | q | k |Brl|   | r |8  1| R | N | B | K | Q | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p | p | p | p | p | p |   | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   | n |   |   |6  3|   |   |   |   |   | N |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   | p |   |5  4|   |   |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   |   | p |   |   |   | n |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p |   | p | p | p | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b |   | r |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1    [Rci Pci Pci]                 Black4 [b]               
                        (Alberto Monteiro)
                                                                           
With "intelligent" pieces in reserve, White1 must clear the area aound Black2. One possible mating sequence could be: 3- ... Ng8? 4- ...Brl moves and then Rci @ f8 would be checkmate!
  3-  ....              K x f8!!        3- Nd5!         B@e7?  [14th card]
And suddenly Black4 is in danger!

	      Black2         (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3  [Brl]
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b | q |   | k |   | r |8  1| R | N | B | K | Q | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p | p | p | p | p | p |   | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   | n |   |   |6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   | p |   |5  4|   |   |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   |   | N |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   |   | p |   |   |   | n |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p | b | p | p | p | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b |   | r |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1    [Rci Pci Pci]                 Black4                   
                        (Alberto Monteiro)
                                                                           
  4- Pci=h6?
White1 got "the Worst of 1", Black2 decided that Pawns inside the board were less dangerous than Pawns outside the board, and forced White1 to drop one of the Pci. But the Pci is also very dangerous inside the board: it's threatening Pci x a7, followed by Pci x h8 = Qci. And a Cylindrical Intelligent Queen would annihilate Black2.
  4-    ....            Nh5!
Defends g7. I would prefer the more aggressive Ng4!
  4-    ....            ....            4- Bxa6!
White3 keeps the Brl in reserve. I think this was an error: the captured Knight will have no use in White1 x Black2 board. The Brl should have been dropped into one of the White squares, so that it would be able to move [after Black4's PK was removed] to the checkmating positions. For example: 4- Brl @ f3. The disadvantage of this move is the potential suicide by 5- Brl x f7+. Other good option would be 4- Bb5!, pinning Black4's QP. Of course, Black4 can never play 4- ... exd5 [??], since this enables 5- Brl @ f5 ++ [!!]
	      Black2 [n]     (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3  [Brl]
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b | q |   | k |   | r |8  1| R | N |   | K | Q | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p | p | p | p | p | p |   | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |Pci|6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   | p | n |5  4|   |   |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   |   | N |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   |   | p |   |   |   | B |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p | b | p | p | p | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b |   | r |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1    [Rci Pci   ]                 Black4                   
                        (Alberto Monteiro)
                                                                           
  4-    ....            ....            4-      ....            Rb8 [18th card]
  5-    Rci @ g4?
Again, Seiblitz's idea was to remove any potential entry of this Rook. I placed it where I could open the g column. That was an error: this Rook should be placed at f5
  5-    ....            Rg8             5- Qg4!!

	      Black2 [n]     (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3  [Brl]
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b | q |   | k | r |   |8  1| R | N |   | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p | p | p | p | p | p |   | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |Pci|6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   | p | n |5  4|   | Q |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |Rci|   |4  5|   |   |   |   | N |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   |   | p |   |   |   | B |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p | b | p | p | p | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1    [    Pci   ]                 Black4                   
                        (Alberto Monteiro)
White3 again forgets to play with the Brl. Seiblitz's idea was using the Queen to eliminate Black4's KP.
  5-    ....            ....            5- ....         e5?? [22nd card]
  6-    Pci @ b6??
Black4 is under checkmate menace, and White1 has lost all drop pieces. However, there is too much "intelligence" around Black2's king: the Pci at b6 is menacing Pci x a7 followed by a promotion!
  6-    ....            Qe8             6- Brl @ f6?

              Black2 [n]     (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3  
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b |   | q | k | r |   |8  1| R | N |   | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p | p | p | p | p | p |   | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |Pci|   |   |   |   |   |Pci|6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   | p | n |5  4|   | Q |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |Rci|   |4  5|   |   |   | p | N |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   |Brl|   |   |   |   | B |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p | b | p | p | p | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1                                 Black4                   
                        (Alberto Monteiro)
The fragility of White3's strategy is exposed: he had less than 1/6 chance of checkmating Black4 ["Best of All" or "Best of 3"], while most moves would give Black4 a chance to rearrange the position. But Black4's move wasn't a good one: the Brl should be placed in a safe Black square, in hope that it would remain there forever.
  6-    ....            ....            6-      ....    B x f3! [26th card]
An error! The Brl should never be allowed to "recycle"! Black4's position is critical. Sure, the Brl mates Black2 (an almost 1/6 chance), but the intelligent Pci and Rci should suffice to the attack.
  7-    Pci x c7!
A solid move. The idea is Pci x b8 = Qci, and use the Queen to clear Black2's first line. But maybe I should have played the more agressive Pci x a7, attacking h8.
  7-    ....            b6?             7- Bxb7!!   P @ a6 ?? [30th card]

              Black2 [n p]   (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3  
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b |   | q | k | r |   |8  1| R | N |   | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | p |   |Pci| p | p | p |   | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   | p |   |   |   |   |   |Pci|6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   |   |   |   |   |   | p | n |5  4|   | Q |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |Rci|   |4  5|   |   |   | p | N |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6|   |   | b |   |   |   |   | p |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p |   | p | p | B | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r | n | b | k | q | b | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
	     White1  [Brl]                          Black4
                        (Alberto Monteiro)
White3 has wasted a good chance of improving it's position, and now wastes two "The Best of All" and "The Worst of All" moves to a negligible positional advantage. Black4's king is blocked, but the only danger is the Brl of the other board. However, 7-Bxb7 is wrong, as it leaves the diagonal f1-a6 exposed to Black4's attack.
  8-    Pci x a7 ?      
Black2 "touches" White1's Pci at h6. The only move is capturing. But Black2's king's escape square at g7 is short lived...
  8-    ....            P @ g7 ??       8-      Bxf8!!  Nh6! [34th card]
  9-    Rci x g5!       b5?             9-      Bb7?    Qc8! [38th card]

              Black2 [n b]   (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3  
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b |   | q | k | r |   |8  1| R | N |   | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 |Pci|   |Pci| p | p | p | p | p |7  2| P | P | P |   | P | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   | p |   |   |   |   |Rci| n |5  4|   | Q |   | P |   |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   | p | N |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6| n |   | b |   |   |   |   | p |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p |   | p | p | B | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r |   | b | k |   | q | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
	     White1  [Brl]                          Black4  [p p]
                        (Alberto Monteiro)

Black4's position is temporarily safe: the two critical squares f5 and d5 are controlled, and his king has d8 to flee.
 10-    Brl @ c6?       e5!
It's more important to make room for Black2's king than to capture the Brl
 10-    ....            ....            10-     d4!     Bd8? [42nd card]
 11-    Brl x f7?
Black4's position becomes dangerous again, while Black2's king gets some squares to flee.
              Black2 [n b]   (Carlos Seiblitz)     White3  
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 | r | n | b |   | q | k | r |   |8  1| R | N |   | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 |Pci|   |Pci| p |   |Brl| p | p |7  2| P | P | P |   |   | P | P | P |2
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   | p |   |   | p |   |Rci| n |5  4|   | Q |   | P | P |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   | p | N |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6| n |   |   |   |   |   |   | p |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p |   | p | p | B | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r |   | b | k | b | q | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1                               Black4  [p p p]          
                        (Alberto Monteiro)

 11-    ....            Rxa7!           11-     Nxc7+?      Qxc7
 12-    (Brl)d5!
Black2's Queen at e8 is hindering the King. However, it also defends f7, so maybe (Brl)xe8! would be a better move. But I was hoping to attack by Pci x b8 = Qci followed by Qci x g8+ or [if Black2's bishop at c8 moved] Qci x e8++
 12-    ....            Qf7!            12-     Qxd7+??     Qxd7?? [50th card]
The struggle in White3 x Black4 is immaterial: Black4 tries to eliminate all Black pieces around the King, while White3 tries to bring them.
                            (Carlos Seiblitz)
              Black2 [n b p p]                     White3  [Pci]
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 |   | n | b |   |   | k | r |   |8  1| R | N |   | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | r |   |Pci| p |   | q | p | p |7  2| P | P | P |   |   | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   | p |   |Brl| p |   |Rci| n |5  4|   |   |   | P | P |   |   |   |4
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   | p |   |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6| n |   |   |   |   |   |   | p |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p |   | q |   | B | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r |   | b | k | b |   | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1 [N Q]                         Black4  [p p p]          
                        (Alberto Monteiro)

13-     (Pci)xb8=Qci!!
This Queen threatens (Qci)xc8+. But this movement is wrong, the correct was (Rci)f5!! and Black2 may be soon mated. 13- ... Qx(Rci) would be too risky, due to 14- Q@e8++ [with c. 1/4 chance: "Best of 4", "Best of 5" and "Best of 6".
13-     ....            P@e7?           13-     Receives a Rook
                                        13-     R@f1?        P@e7 [55th card]

14- P(c2) receives a jumper

                            (Carlos Seiblitz)
              Black2 [n b p  ]                     White3  [Pci]
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 |   |Qci| b |   |   | k | r |   |8  1| R | N | R | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | r |   |   | p | p | q | p | p |7  2| P | P | P |   |   | P | P | P |2  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |6  3|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   | p |   |Brl| p |   |Rci| n |5  4|   |   |   | P | P |   |   |   |4
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   | p |   |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6| n |   |   |   |   |   |   | p |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P*| P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p | p | q |   | B | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r |   | b | k | b |   | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1 [N Q Pci]                     Black4  [  p p n]        
                        (Alberto Monteiro)

In the 53rd card, White3 received a piece, and it was just a Rook. In the 56th card, White1's Pawn at c2 received a magic item: a jumper. It allows a piece to jump over other pieces, in a non-agressive way. For example, if this pawn were blocked at c3, it could jump to c4. Those magic items are usually good for the King, but irrelevant otherwise.
  14- (Brl) x f7!
Threatens mate in 1: Qci x g8++
  14-  ....             P@b7??          14- Nh3?        P@f3! [60th card]
  15-  (Rci)f5?         Nf6!!
Defends all checkmates!
  15-  ....             ....            15- R(f1)g1!    Q@e2++!! [64th card]

                            (Carlos Seiblitz)
              Black2 [n b    ]                     White3  [Pci]
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 8 |   |Qci| b |   |   | k | r |   |8  1| R | R |   | K |   | B |   | R |1
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 7 | r | p |   | p | p |Brl| p | p |7  2| P | P | P | q |   | P | P | P |2
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 6 |   |   |   |   |   | n |   |   |6  3| N |   | p |   |   |   |   |   |3  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 5 |   | p |   |   | p |Rci|   |   |5  4|   |   |   | P | P |   |   |   |4  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 4 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |4  5|   |   |   | p |   |   |   |   |5  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 3 | Pl|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |3  6| n |   |   |   |   |   |   | p |6
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 2 | P | P | P*| P | P | P | P | P |2  7| p | p | p | p | q |   | B | p |7  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
 1 | R | N | B | Q | K | B | N | R |1  8| r |   | b | k | b |   | r |   |8  
   +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+   
     a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h        h   g   f   e   d   c   b   a
             White1 [N Q Pci]                     Black4  [  p p n]        
                        (Alberto Monteiro)

White3 was defeated since he lost the initiative when he had it. After 15- ... Q@e2++!!, four more cards were taken: White3 might get, for example, an atomic bomb and explode Black4's Queen. As a curious note: White1 never moved any of the original Fide-Chess pieces!


For more variants and information on this game, see Monteiro's pages on Delirious Bughouse and variants.
  1. Chess Variants from the Delirious Bughouse. (Link.)

Written by: Alberto Monteiro, (email removed contact us for address) troin.com.br.
WWW page created: June 30, 1997. Last modified: October 7, 1997.