Some ways in which chess variants can differ from regular chess, with examplesįischer random chess – starting position randomly selected from 960 possible optionsĪlmost chess – uses chancellors (which can move as a rook or a knight) instead of queens The table below details some, but not all, of the ways in which variants can differ from the orthodox game: Several variants introduce complications to the standard game, providing an additional challenge for experienced players, for example in Kriegspiel, where players cannot see the pieces of their opponent. For example, Fischer random chess, which randomises the starting positions, was invented by Bobby Fischer to combat what he perceived to be the detrimental dominance of opening preparation in chess. The variations from chess may be done to address a perceived issue with the standard game. Variants normally have the same public domain status as chess, though a few (such as Knightmare Chess) are proprietary, and the materials for play are released as commercial products. In most cases the creators are attempting to create new games of interest to chess enthusiasts or a wider audience. While some regional variants have historical origins comparable to or even older than chess, the majority of variants are express attempts by individuals or small groups to create new games with chess as a starting point. The basic rules of chess were not standardised until the 19th century, and the history of chess before this involves many variants, with the most popular modifications spreading and eventually forming the modern game. These related games are considered chess variants, though the majority of variants are, expressly, modifications of chess.
Other games in the chess family, such as shogi (Japan), and xiangqi (China), are also developments from chaturanga made in other regions. Courier chess was a popular variant in medieval Europe, which had a significant impact on the "main" variant's development.
Modifications made to this game in Europe resulted in the modern game. In Sassanid Persia, a slightly modified form became known as shatranj. Over time, as the game spread geographically, modified versions of the rules became popular in different regions. The origins of the chess family of games can be traced to the game of chaturanga during the time of the Gupta Empire in India. The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants catalogues around two thousand, with the preface noting that-with creating a chess variant being relatively trivial-many were considered insufficiently notable for inclusion. There are thousands of known chess variants (see list of chess variants). Fairy chess variants tend to be created for problem composition rather than actual play. In the context of chess problems, chess variants are called heterodox chess or fairy chess. Some internet chess servers facilitate the play of some variants in addition to orthodox chess. Just as in traditional chess, chess variants can be played over-the-board, by correspondence, or by computer. Most variants have a similar public-domain status as their parent game, but some have been made into commercial proprietary games. Many chess variants are designed to be played with the equipment of regular chess. Chess developed from chaturanga, from which other members of this family, such as shatranj, Tamerlane chess, "International" or "Western" chess itself is one of a family of games which have related origins and could be considered variants of each other. Such variants can differ from chess in many different ways. A three-player chess variant which uses a hexagonal boardĪ chess variant is a game related to, derived from, or inspired by chess.