3-player chess board

hiya folks,

(oops-i meant to post this only in the 'only chess' forum)---

saw this really funky looking polish-made wooden 3-player chess set in a catalog....curious if anyone has messes around with this kinda variant? at the very leat, it would make a cool conversation piece!

Hmm. Chess variants.. I was thinking about a different variant.. I forget what it was now, but I thought it might be cool.. . But people are mostly just interested in classical chess and variants usually don't get too popular. 😉

Hmm. I'll post my idea later if I remember.

I remember what it was now.
I was wondering if it would be possible to play a game where both players decide on their moves ahead of time and they're made simulateously. You couldn't play a game like that over the board, but computer and internet play would be possible. It'd change the game drastically though. What do you do if both pieces hit the square at the same time? hehe.

I also saw a recent suggestion of a variation that would allow you to take your own pieces if it helped your cause. 🙂 (No more smothered mates, hehe) That might make an interesting game.

Great, I'm talking to myself now.. I just realized you could play that game over the board if you secretly wrote down your moves first and swapped papers. hehe.

I would be very interested in finding that game.......also the star trek version(3-d).......why not expand the rules.

I believe the star trek one really does have rules... Or maybe that's just a rumor. *shrug* Never know with those geeks, Klingon is a real language. 😉

is there a website for this 3 player board? Sounds cool to own.

Originally posted by fistofthejed
is there a website for this 3 player board? Sounds cool to own.

Two guys from our club invented a 4player game, search for "ZM quadchess" and check it out. The rules are fairly simple. There's even score from a couple tournaments we held. Very entertaining after a few beers. 😵

Rival chess, the program that you can download from here if you have a star, allows you to play the self-take variation that you mentioned. It also has shatranj and kinglet variations, but I'm not really sure what those are.

Self-take can result in some odd positions, especially in openings. You can fianchetto a bishop in a single move, as well as control the center by advancing your queen one square. somehow though, I don't think those would be tactically useful, like you said, the biggest advantage appears to be for things like smothered mates.

-mike

hi all, the 3-player board i was originally referring to can be found on this site: www.artandartifact.com web site....it certainly looks beautiful!

http://www.artandartifact.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi/hzpi/u/HzSt0110161413101515120U0n0m1212151017141417/hazel.cgi?randomizer=1739868338&action=DETAIL&item=PH2032😀

Three-Way Chess Set
Are you ready for the ultimate chess challenge, matching wits against not just one but two other players? Our beautiful inlaid wooden board is crafted in Poland, hinged to fold into a velvet-lined carrying case with chessmen stored inside. The 48 wooden chessmen with felted bottoms are finished with walnut, black and natural stains. Range in size from 11/8”–21/2”h. Playing instructions included. Board measures 1”h x 191/2”w x 17”d. Click for larger image. (www.artandartifact.com)

Here's a few good chess variants :-

- Doubles chess. Play 2v2, each taking it in turn to make your move, a bit like doubles pool or tennis. Since you're not allowed to discuss moves with your partner it can become very frustrating unless you know their playing strategies well.

- Blind chess. Two players sit back to back with two separate chess sets, and only their own pieces are on their respective boards. A mediator sits in between who can see both boards - and says "legal move", "illegal move", "check" and "check mate". If you make an illegal move you have to keep making moves until you make a legal one.

- Sacrifice chess. A bit childish this one really, but basically there's no such thing as check or check mate - and if you can take a piece you have to take that piece. The winner is the first person to lose all of their pieces, including the king!!

Just a few ideas.
Wallace.