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Appendix 1 Rules for TrimChess (6 columns, 8 rows)
“Chess is something more than a game. It is an intellectual diversion which has certain artistic qualities and many scientific elements.” Jose Raul Capablanca, World Champion (widely regarded as one of the top 5 players ever).
1. PREFACE
The rules of TrimChess attempt to cover every situation on the board, but where there is doubt, a study of the rules and the spirit should be achievable. Any situation which cannot be resolved should be referred to the inventor of the game, the author.
2. BASIC RULES OF PLAY
There are two opponents in TrimChess who move alternately on a rectangular board which has 8 rows (ranks) and 6 columns (files). The board consists of white and black pieces. This initial position of the pieces will be described in the next section. The play alternates between the white player and the black player until the game is concluded. The game can end in a draw or with one or the other king checkmated. A player may also resign on his/her turn or offer a draw. A threefold repetition of positions automatically results in a draw. If neither player can possibly checkmate, the game is a draw.
3. Initial Position of the Pieces on the board.
A TrimChess game is played on a board consisting of 8 rows (ranks) and 6 columns (files). The squares alternate between light and dark. At the beginning of the game each player has 12 pieces. The white player has light colored pieces and the black player has dark colored pieces.
The structure of the board is as follows, with algebraic notation for the squares:
Diagram 11 – Algebraic Notation for TrimChess
The 6 vertical columns of squares are called files. The eight horizontal rows are called ranks. A straight line running from one edge of the board to an adjacent edge is called a diagonal. The files are designated from left to right as a, b, c, d, e, f, the ranks are labeled 1-8. The initial placement can be summarized as follows:
White: rook on a1, knight on b1, queen on c1, king on d1, bishop on e1 and rook on f1.
Pawns on a2, b2, c2, d2, e2 and f2.
Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, queen on c8, king on d8, bishop on e8 and rook on f8.
Pawns on a7, b7, c7, d7, e7 and f7.
The board with the initial placement of the pieces is shown in Diagram 4 in Chapter 6.
4. No square can be doubly occupied by pieces of the same color. If a piece captures a piece of the opposite color, the captured piece is removed. The bishop moves diagonally but cannot leap over any other piece. The rooks move vertically and horizontally on ranks and files but cannot jump over any existing piece. The queen can move along any diagonal and also vertically and horizontally. It too cannot jump over pieces. The knight moves in an “L” shape in any direction, and can jump over other pieces. These rules for TrimChess are identical to normal chess rules. The presence of the extra pieces adds a lot of complexity to the game and increases the number of possible moves considerably.
5. The pawn can move forward one spot vertically if the spot is unoccupied. On the first move it may move 2 spaces if the space is unoccupied. For captures, the pawn can move diagonally across one space. A pawn crossing two squares which crosses the opponents pawn on the way can be captured as if it only moved one space (en passant capture as in regular chess).
6. When a pawn reaches the eighth rank in the opposition territory, it can be exchanged for a bishop, knight, queen or rook (promotion as in regular chess).
7. The king can move to any adjoining square not attacked by an opponent’s piece or pieces. The king can also castle as shown in the diagrams below:
A. Position before White king side castle
Diagram 12 – Position before White King Side Castle for TrimChess
B. Position after king side castle
Diagram 13 – Position after White King Side Castle for TrimChess
C. Position before white queen side castle
Diagram 14 – Position before White Queen Side Castle for TrimChess
D. Position after white queen side castle
Diagram 15 – Position after White Queen Side Castle for TrimChess
Symmetric rules apply for black. This again is very similar to the standard chess rules. If either the king or the rook have already moved, castling cannot be done. Castling is prevented if the king has to cross through the scope of the opponents pieces and is in check. The line between the king and the rook must be clear to execute a castling maneuver.
8. The king is “in check” if an opposing players piece attacks it. No piece can be moved that will expose the king of the same color to check or leave that king in check. This is the same as standard chess rules.
9. The remaining rules are all identical to standard chess rules in regards to checkmate, draws, resignations and stalemates. Wherever a rule is not explicitly stated, the rules from standard chess are meant to be applied to TrimChess.
10. Each move must be made with one hand only.
11. A player may adjust a piece if he/she expresses his/her intention of doing so. An example would be by announcing “I’m going to adjust”.
12. Except for clause 11, if the player having the move touches one or more of his/her own pieces he/she must move the first piece touched which can be moved.
13. Except for clause 11, if the player having the move touches one or more of the opponent’s pieces, he/she must capture the first piece that can be captured.
14. All other rules are as in standard chess.