EUROPAN CHESS

INTRODUCTION

SET UP

r g j c z b q k b z c j g r  14
p p p p p p p p p p p p p p  13
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P P P P P P P P P P P P P P  2
R G J C Z B Q K B Z C J G R  1
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n

White: Rook, a1, n1; Griffin, b1 m1; Supercomputer, c1, L1; Archer, d1, k1; Crooked Bishop, e1, j1; Bishop, f1, i1; Queen, g1; King, h1; Pawns, a2, b2, c2, d2, e2, f2, g2, h2, i2, j2, k2, L2, m2, n2

Black: Rook, a14, n14; Griffin, b14 m14; Supercomputer, c14, L14; Archer, d14, k14; Crooked Bishop, e14, j14; Bishop, f14, i14; Queen, g14; King, h14; Pawns, a13, b13, c13, d13, e13, f13, g13, h13, i13, j13, k13, L13, m13, n13

PIECES

Griffin: The Griffin is a rather common piece, used in quite a few other chess variants. However, I like it a lot, and have included it in one of my other variants, Ganymede Chess. One unfortunate thing about it, I've seen it spelled more different ways than any other piece(!) The most common spelling I've seen is Griffon, but I have seen such weird spellings as Gryphon. However, the CORRECT spelling is Griffin. Not that it matters, but it is nice to know stuff like this. Now, as for its move, it moves first one square diagonally, and then any number of spaces like a rook, but only away from it's starting position. Here's a diagram to better explain its move:

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+ + + . + + + +
. . . G . . . .
+ + + . + + + +
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It can continue moving in any of the eight directions pictured in the diagram. It is a rather powerful piece, made even more so by the spaciousness of the board. If you know how to use it, is worth about 7 pawns, or almost a Queen. However, even if you don't know how to use it well, it is still worth about 5 or 6 pawns. This move is written as t[FR] in funny notation. Here's a tip on how to use it correctly: FORKS=D

Supercomputer: The supercomputer is a fairly powerful jumping piece. It moves in one of three ways: It either jumps 3 spaces like a rook, 2 spaces like a bishop, or it jumps as a (3,1) jumper. As you can see, it is rather powerful, a bit less than a rook, and is pretty easy to use. You just get it into a center square, support it with a pawn or two, and watch it dominate the surrounding area. And, if you're wondering why I called it the supercomputer, I have a very good reason for that. You see, in funny notation, this piece's move is written as HAL (Good morning, Dave).

Archer: The archer is a piece that I have seen in several other chess variants. In my game, it replaces the knight, because it is better suited to an open board. However, I made an addition to it. The archer moves, but doesn't capture, as either a knight or a (3,1) jumper. To capture, it first makes a normal move, and after that, it can capture, without moving, any piece that is another knight or (3,1) jumper move away from it. The (3,1) jumper part is my addition. I think it's worth a bit more than a knight. But, whatever. However, I choose this piece for another very good reason, beside just the fact that it is interesting on a very large board. This reason has to do with the supercomputer. You see, what is an archer? Why, an archer is a bow-man, or a Bowman, as in David Bowman (Good morning, Dave). There is no way to write this in funny notation.

Crooked Bishop: The crooked bishop is one of Ralph Betza's favorite pieces, and I happen to like it as well. It moves by first moving one square diagonally, and then turning 90 degrees and making another move diagonally away from its starting square, and it can keep on doing this ad forever. Here is a diagram of its movement:

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+ . + . Z . + .
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