Chess Variants

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American Chess Equipment

Rules of Royal Chess

Royal Chess is played using the same rules as regular Chess plus the additional rules concerning the Royal Guards explained in Chapter V, and those concerning stalemates, perpetual check, and draws at the end of this chapter.

The game is played between two "Armies" each consisting of 20 "Warriors" of various capabilities.

Each army consists of a King, a Queen, two Bishops, two Knights, two Royal Guards (a King's Guard and a Queen's Guard), two Rooks, and ten Pawns.

The lighter colored army is called "white" and the darker colored army is called "black."

The battle takes place on a rectangular board consisting of 80 alternately colored squares 8 rows deep and 10 rows wide.

The board is placed between two players with the wide sides of the board facing the players.

Each player places their pieces on the first two rows directly in front of them. They should have identical pieces directly across from each other.

The pieces are represented by these symbols:

Place the pieces on the board in this order:

When the pieces are properly placed, each side will
  have identical pieces directly across from each other.

Each player alternately moves one piece, with White always making the first move.

The object of the game is to trap and capture your opponent's King.

When a King can be captured on the very next move it is "in check." If there is nothing a player can do to avoid the capture, his King is said to be "checkmated" and the game is over at that point.

Stalemate, Perpetual Check, and Baring the King

In Royal Chess, a stalemate, a game ending with a perpetual check, and a game when one of the opponents is left with only their King are all considered a win for the player forcing the situation.

Stalemate

Obviously, if the King cannot move without being captured, the King IS effectively captured. It's like being in jail!  Scores .7 points for the winner and .25 for the loser.

Perpetual Check

The king is either trapped or on the run and can no longer offer any resistance. That IS a loss.   Scores .65 points for the winner and .3 for the loser.

Baring the King

When a player is left with only the King with which to fight, and the other player has a King and any other piece, the 'Bared King' is defeated.  Scores .75 points for the winner and .20 for the loser.

Draws

There are four ways that a game can end in a draw.

1. When neither side has enough material to effect either a stalemate or checkmate.
   
2. When each player repeats the same series of moves for the third time, either player can declare the game a draw.
   
3. No piece has been captured by either side for fifty moves.
   
4. By mutual agreement of the players.
   

In tournament play, a draw counts as a half point for the "black" player, and 2/5 of a point for the "white" player. When wagering, black is paid 20% of the bet.