{{short description|none}} A fairy chess piece is a game piece that is not in regular chess but appears in an alternate version of chess with different rules. Such an alternate version is known as a chess variant. In addition, fairy chess pieces are used in fairy chess, an area of chess problems involving changes to the rules of chess.
The following table shows some game pieces of unorthodox chess, from fairy chess problems and chess variants (including historical and regional ones), and the six orthodox chess pieces. The columns "BCPS", "Parlett" and "Betza" contain the notation describing how each piece moves. Italicised names are pieces that are found under other names elsewhere in the table. The notation systems are explained in this page. <!-- - Italicised names are pieces that are found under other names elsewhere in the table. - Please don't write "A piece which can..." at the start of your description. -->
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{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" ! Name !! BCPS !! Parlett !! Betza !! Found in !! Notes |- | '''{{vanchor|0–9}}''' |- | '''(1,1)-Zigzag Nightrider''' || S1 || || || Fairy Chess problems || Takes Knight steps, in a general (1,1)-Bishop direction e.g. b1-a3-c2-b4-d3...<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''(2,0)-Zigzag Nightrider''' || S2 || || || Fairy Chess problems || Takes Knight steps, in a general (2,0)-Rook direction e.g. b1-c3-d1-e3-f1...<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''(3,3)-Zigzag Nightrider''' || S3 || || || Fairy Chess problems || Takes Knight steps, in a general (3,3)-Bishop direction e.g. b1-c3-e4-f6-h7<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''(4,0)-Zigzag Nightrider''' || S4 || || || Fairy Chess problems || Takes Knight steps, in a general (4,0)-Rook direction e.g. b1-c3-b5-c7...<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''{{vanchor|A}}''' |- | ''Aanca'' || || style="width: 10%;" |1X.n+ || t[FR] || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) || A word borrowed in medieval Spanish from Persian/Arabic legendary ''anqa'', an ''elephant bird'' (a giant eagle preying elephants), see '''Gryphon'''. A name erroneously applied by some modern chess variant inventors to a piece moving t[WB] in Betza's notation and also called '''Manticore''', creating confusion. |- | '''Abbot''' || || 4X,~1/2|| F4N ||Typhoon chess, Scirocco chess|| Moves as Knight or Bishop up to 4 squares |- | '''Acropolis''' || || ~1/2, ~1/3, n+ || RNC = RNL || Overkill Ecumenical Chess || Combination of '''Gnu''' and '''Rook'''. |- | '''Actor''' || || ~1/2, ~1/3,nX || BNC = BNL || Overkill Ecumenical Chess || Combination of '''Gnu''' and '''Bishop'''. |- | '''Actress''' || || ~1/2, ~1/3,n{{math|✳}} || QNC = QNL || Overkill Ecumenical Chess || Combination of '''Gnu''' and '''Queen'''. |- | ''Admiral'' || || n+, 1X || RF || Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014), Large Chess Variants by Cazaux 2020, e.g., Terachess II || Combination of '''Rook''' and '''Ferz'''. Also known as '''Dragon King''' in Shogi, or ''Crowned Rook'', or ''SuperRook'' in Pocket Mutation chess, or ''Sailor'' in Sac Chess (Pacey). |- | '''Advisor''' || FE || 1X || F || Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || '''Ferz''' that cannot leave the palace (3×3 zone at the center of South and North sides). Originally ''士 Shì'' (Black ''Advisor'') and ''仕 Shì'' (Red ''Advisor'') in Chinese. Also known as ''Counsellor'', ''Mandarin'', ''Guard'', ''Officer'', ''Scholar'' and, ambiguously, ''Minister''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Alfil}}''' || AL || ~ 2X. Alternate notation: ~ 2/2 || A = (2,2) || Chaturanga (Indian chess), Shatranj (Persian chess), Courier Chess, European Chess (before 1475) || ''Elephant'' in Shatranj. A (2,2)-leaper. Originally ''Fil'' in Persian. Also called ''Gaja'', ''Hasty'', ''Pil'' (Shatranj), ''Archer (Schütze)'' (Courier). Simply the move of the European '''Bishop''' before 1475. (The word ''alfil'' is the regular '''Bishop''' in Spanish.) |- | '''Alfilrider''' || || n(~ 2X) (in same direction) || AA || Fairy Chess problems || A rider which moves any number of (2,2) cells (i.e., Alfil moves) in the same direction in a straight line. It is the ''Skip-bishop'' of problemists (G.P. Jelliss). |- | '''Alibaba'''|| || ~ 2{{math|✳}} || AD || Fairy Chess problems || Combines the moves of '''Alfil''' and '''Dabbaba'''. |- | '''Alibabarider'''|| || n(~2{{math|✳}})in same direction || AADD || Fairy Chess problems|| Combination of '''Dabbabarider''' and '''Alfilrider'''. It is the ''Skip-queen'' of problemists (G.P. Jelliss).Compare '''Nightrider'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Amazon}}''' || AM || n{{math|✳}}, ~ 1/2 || QN || Russian chess around 1770,<ref name="A World Of Chess">{{Cite book|title=A World Of Chess|last1=Cazaux|first1=Jean-Louis|last2=Knowlton|first2=Rick|publisher=Mc Farland|year=2017|isbn=978-0-7864-9427-9}}</ref> Gustav III Chess (end of 18th c.), Kaiserspiel (1819), Pacific Chess (1971), Renn Chess (1980), Knightmare Chess, Musketeer Chess, Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014) || Combines the powers of '''Queen''' and '''Knight'''. Also called ''Angel'' (Autremont, 1918), ''Commander'' (''Feldherr'' in original German Peguilhen, 1819; Trouillon, 1953), ''Wyvern'' (Parton, 1970s), ''Queen'' (Pacific Chess), ''Prince'' (Renn Chess), ''Superqueen'', ''Dragon'' (Musketeer Chess). |- | '''Amazonrider''' || ET || n{{math|✳}}, n(~1/2) || QNN || Pocket Mutation Chess || Combination of '''Queen''' and Nightrider. Also called ''Queen of the Night''. See also ''Elephant'' (von Wilpert). |- | ''Anchorite'' || || 1+.nX || t[WB] || Conclave Ecumenical chess || See '''Manticore'''. |- | '''Ancress''' || || n+, 1+.nX || Rt[WB] || Conclave Ecumenical chess || Combination of '''Manticore''' and '''Rook'''. |- | '''Andernach Grasshopper''' || || || || Andernach chess || A '''Grasshopper''' that changes the colour of the hurdle it leaps over. |- | ''Angry Boar'' ||WE|| 1+ || (0,1) || Dai shogi and other large shogi variant || Moves as a '''Wazir'''. |- | '''Antelope''' || AN || ~ 3/4 || (3,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Jumps three squares diagonally followed by one square orthogonally outwards. |- | '''Atlantosaur''' || || c1{{math|✳}} || cWcF || Fairy Chess problems (J. de A. Almay, 1940) || Captures like a '''Mann''' (non-royal King) but never moves from his position unless to capture. |- | '''Anti-King''' {{anchor|Anti-King}} || || 1{{math|✳}} (captures friendly, not enemy pieces) || K (captures friendly, not enemy pieces) || || This piece is in check when not attacked. If a player's Anti-King is in check and unable to move to a square attacked by the opponent, the player is checkmated. A King may not attack the opponent's Anti-King. The Anti-King may not check its own King. |- | '''{{vanchor|Archbishop}}''' || PR || nX, ~ 1/2 || BN || Carrera'chess (1617), Kaiserspiel (Peguilhen, 1819), Bird Chess (1874), Capablanca Chess, Janus Chess, Modern Chess (Vicente Maura), Grand Chess (Freeling), Cavalier Chess (Duniho, 1999), Quintessential Chess (Knappen), Seirawan Chess, Musketeer Chess (Haddad), Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014)|| Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Knight'''. First named ''Centaur'' (Carrera), also called '''Princess''' (fairy chess), ''Adjutant'' (Peguilhen), ''Equerry'' (Bird), '''Cardinal''', ''Minister'' (Vicente Maura's Modern Chess), ''Janus'' (Janus Chess), ''Paladin'' (Duniho), ''Hawk'' (Seirawan Chess). |- | '''Archbishop (Fox-Dawson)''' || AR || nX (bounce one edge) || B (bounce one edge) || Fairy Chess problems || ''Reflecting Bishop'' limited to a single bounce. |- | ''Archchancellor'' || || n+, ~ 1/2, 1X || RNF || Teutonic Knight's Chess (J. Knappen, 2009)<ref name="TeutonicKnightsChess" /> || '''Heroine''', ''Superchancellor'' (Pocket Mutation Chess), ''Octopus'' (original German term ''Krake''<ref name="dieschwalbe" /> by German problemists) or ''Crowned Chancellor'': Combination of '''Empress/Chancellor''' and '''Ferz'''. Originally ''Erzkanzler'' in German. |- | ''Archer'' || || 2X || FA || Reformed Courierspiel Chess variant || See '''Elephant (Modern)'''. |- | ''Archer'' (Modern) || VA || c^nX, onX|| mBcpB || Bigorra || Moves like a '''Bishop''' when not capturing, but captures by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on its destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond the hurdle). Also called '''Vao''', ''Arrow'', ''Crocodile''. |- | ''Arrow'' (Duniho) || VA || c^nX, onX|| mBcpB || Yang Qi, Eurasian Chess (Duniho) || Moves like a '''Bishop''' when not capturing, but captures by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on its destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond the hurdle). Also called '''Vao''', ''Archer'', ''Crocodile''. |- | '''Arrow Pawn (Persson)''' || || o2+, c1X || mW2cF || Arrow Pawn Chess (R. Persson variant, 1938) || Moves orthogonally one or two squares and captures diagonally one square. |- | '''Assassin''' || || 1{{math|✳}},c2{{math|✳}} || WFcAcD|| Stealth chess || a '''Man''' that can also capture as an '''Alfil''' or '''Dabbaba'''. |- | '''Astrologer''' || || ~ 1/3.nX || t[CB]=t[LB] || Tiger Chess (Zacharias) || Moves as a '''Camel''' followed by moving any number of spaces diagonally outwards like a '''Bishop'''. |- | '''Auroch''' || || ~ 1/2, ~ 1/4 || N(1,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Giraffe''' (Pierre Monréal, 1975). |- | '''{{vanchor|B}}''' |- | '''B4nD''' || || 1-4X, 2+ || B4nD || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Slides up to 4 squares as a Bishop or moves exactly 2 squares orthogonally (cannot leap the intermediate square) |- | '''{{vanchor|Banshee}}''' || || nX, n(1/2) (in same direction) || BNN || 21st Century Chess (G. Jellis, 1991), Unicorn Chess (D. Paulowich 2000), Fearful Fairies (J. Knappen 2012) || Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Nightrider'''. Named ''Unicorn'' in Unicorn Chess, ''Cardinalrider'' (Pocket Mutation Chess, M. Nelson 2003) or ''Cardirider''.<ref name="bishop-knightrider-compund">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chessvariants.com/page/MSunicorn-2|title = The Chess Variant Pages: Bishop-Nightrider compound}}</ref> |- | '''Barc''' || || ~ 2/1> (wide), ~ 1/2< (narrow) || fsNbbN || War of Worlds: Jupiter (R. Betza, ca. 1980)<ref name="wow-jup">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/d.betza/chessvar/cvda/wow-jup.html |title=Ralph Betza Unscientific Chess Variants with Different Armies |access-date=2026-04-20 |url-status=live }}</ref> || ''Wide/Narrow-Hunter'': moves forward as a ''wide Knight'', and backward as a ''narrow Knight''. The name is '''Crab''' spelled backwards. |- | ''Basilisk (Dragonchess)'' || || o1{{math|✳}}>, c1{{math|✳}}> || mfFfbWcfK || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || Bound to lower board. 3D movement: Can freeze any opposing piece on the cell directly above it automatically until the Basilisk moves away or is captured. |- | ''Bear'' || SQ || ~ 0/2, ~ 1/2, ~ 2/2|| NAD || Fairy Chess problems (N. Kovacs, 1937), Bear Chess (Mikhail Sosnovsky, 1985) || Jumps to any square a distance of 2. Also called '''Squirrel'''. |- | '''Bede''' || || nX, ~ 2+ || BD || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Dabbaba'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Berolina Pawn}}''' || BP || o1X>, c1>, io2X> || mfFcefWimfnA || Berolina Chess (Nebermann, 1926) | Moves one square diagonally forward (except on its first move, when it may move two), but captures by moving one square straight forward. Also known as ''Berlin Pawn'', ''Peasant'' (Faerie Chess) or ''Anti-Pawn''. Cf. '''Pawn'''. |- | '''Berolina Plus Pawn''' || || o1X>, c1>=, io2X> || mfFcfWcsWimfF2 || Berolina Plus || '''Berolina Pawn''' which can also capture one step orthogonally to the side. |- | '''Biok''' || || onX, cn+ || mBcR || ''Enlarged & Improved Chess'', Parton's Chess || Moves like a Bishop and captures like a Rook. First proposed in Holland in 1696 as an ''Ensign'' (or ''Fähnrich'' in German), then by V.R. Parton in Chess Curiouser & Curiouser (1961). See also Roshop. |- | '''Bion''' || BL || || pB || Fairy Chess problems || Fairy chess ''Lion'' confined to diagonal lines. Also known as ''Bishlion'' and ''Bishop-lion-hopper''. |- | '''Bishight''' || || nX>, ~ 1/2< || fBbN || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || ''Bishop/Knight-hunter'': moves forward as a '''Bishop''', and backward as a '''Knight'''. |- | style="background:#ffce9e" | '''{{vanchor|Bishop}}''' || B || nX || B = FF || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283), Courier Chess (12th c.), Orthodox chess || Moves any number of free squares diagonally. Also called ''Cocatriz'' (Grant Acedrex, medieval Spanish for ''cockatrice'', representing a crocodile), ''Courier (Kurrier)'' (Courier chess), ''Kakugyo'' (angle-mover) in shogi, or '''Ferzrider'''. |- | '''Bishop's dog''' || || 3X || F3 || Typhoon (A.King, 2009) || Moves and captures like a Bishop but limited to a maximum of 3 squares distance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chessvariants.com/rules/typhoon-revised|title=The Chess Variant Pages: Typhoon (Revised)}}</ref> |- | '''Bishopper''' || BH || ^nX|| gB || Fairy Chess problems || '''Grasshopper''' confined to diagonal lines. Also known as ''Bishop-hopper''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Bison}}''' || BI || ~ 1/3, ~ 2/3 || CZ = LJ || Fairy Chess problems, Herd (S. Sirotkin, 2000) || Combination of '''Camel''' and '''Zebra'''. Compare '''Falcon (Falcon Chess)'''. |- | '''Blind Dog''' || || 1<=, 1X> || sbWfF || Wa shogi and Taikyoku shogi variants || Combination of '''Flying Cock''' and ''Backslider''. Also known as ''Yen''. |- | '''Blind Monkey''' || || 1=, 1X || FsW || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Also known as ''Drunken Ferz'' and ''Diabolo''. The ''Blind Bear'' in Taikyoku shogi has the same moves. |- | '''Blind Tiger''' || || 1X, 1<= || FsbW || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Moves one square in any direction except orthogonally forward. |- | '''Boa''' || || || zNN || Fairy Chess problems<ref name="dieschwalbe">{{Cite web |url=https://dieschwalbe.de/lexikon.htm |title=Hans Gruber, Märchenschachlexikon, Die Schwalbe |access-date=2021-02-23 |archive-date=2021-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209050312/https://www.dieschwalbe.de/lexikon.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> || A Nightrider making an obtuse turn after every Knight's move. Discussed as ''Crooked Nightrider'' by Ralph Betza, but not used in a game [https://www.chessvariants.com/d.betza/chessvar/pieces/zf7.html]. Combination of '''(3,3)-Zigzag-Nightrider''' and '''(4,0)-Zigzag-Nightrider'''. Its first two steps form a nice 8-pointed star on the chess board. |- | '''Boat''' {{anchor|boat}} || AL || ~ 2X || A = (2,2) || Chaturaji (4 player Indian chess, 11th century) || See '''Alfil'''. Note that in Russia the Rook is called Ladya, a boat. The Rook is also a boat in traditional old Bengali and Javanese chess. |- | '''Bodyguard''' || || 2{{math|✳}} (''Hia'' power) || Q2 (''Hia'' power) || Hiashatar (Mongolian decimal chess) || Moves like a Queen but only one or two squares. Special power: any sliding piece must stop if it moves within a King's move from the Bodyguard. Called ''Hia'' in Mongolian. |- | '''{{vanchor|Boyscout}}''' || BT || || zB || Fairy Chess problems || Moves like a bishop, but takes 90 degree turns after each step. Invented by J. de Almay in the years 1940s. Also called ''Crooked Bishop'' (Ralph Betza). Compare '''Girlscout'''. |- | '''Brontosaur''' || || cnX || cB || Fairy Chess problems (J. de A. Almay, 1940), Megasaur Chess (Parton's ''Enduring Spirit of Dasapada'') || Captures like a Bishop but never moves from his position unless to capture. |- | '''Buffalo''' || || ~ 1/2, ~ 1/3, ~ 2/3 || NCZ = NLJ || Cavalry Chess (Frank Maus, 1921), Gigachess-Terachess (Cazaux, 2001) || Triple compound of '''Knight''', '''Camel''' and '''Zebra'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|C}}''' |- | '''Caliph''' || || nX, ~ 1/3 || BC = BL || Ecumenical Chess (Charles Gilman, 2003) || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Camel'''. Named ''Flying Dragon'' in Ganymede Chess by Mark Hedden (1999)<ref name="ganymede-chess">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chessvariants.com/large.dir/ganymede.html|title = Ganymede Chess}}</ref> |- | ''Caliph (Fairy)''<ref name="theory-of-moves">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mayhematics.com/t/2a.htm#(3) |title=J. P. Jelliss, Theory of Moves and Pieces |access-date=2017-09-11 |archive-date=2017-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731083345/http://www.mayhematics.com/t/2a.htm#(3) |url-status=live }}</ref> || || 1+,~ 2X || WA || Fairy Chess problems || Problemist's name for the piece known as '''Phoenix''' in Shogi variants or ''Waffle'' in Chess with Different Armies |- | '''{{vanchor|Camel}}''' || CA || ~ 1/3 || C = L = (1,3) || Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405), Wildebeest Chess, Mideast Chess, Renn Chess, Metamachy, Gigachess-Terachess || Old historic piece. Jumps 2 squares orthogonally followed by one square diagonally outwards. Also called ''Jamal'' (Persian for camel). Called ''Chevalier'' (Mideast Chess), ''General'' (Renn Chess), ''Sage'' (Devingt Chess) or ''Giraffe'' in [https://www.giraffechess.com Giraffe Chess]. |- | '''{{vanchor|Camelrider}}''' || CR || n(1/3) (in same direction) || CC = LL || Fairy Chess problems || A rider which moves any number the Camel's moves in the same direction. A piece in its path of the opposing color could be captured, but the Camelrider could not move any further. Also known as ''Mehari'' by French problemists. |- | '''{{vanchor|Cannon}}''' || PA || c^n+, on+|| mRcpR || Xiangqi, Shako (Chess) (1990), Metamachy (2012) || Compare with ''Korean Cannon'', Originally ''砲 Pào'' (Black ''Catapult'') and ''炮 Pào'' (Red ''Cannon'') |- | '''Cannon (Korean)''' || RL || ^n+|| pR || Janggi (Korean chess), Fairy Chess problems || Moves and captures along orthogonal lines by jumping exactly one piece. There can be any number of free squares before and after the hurdle. Also called ''Rook-line-hopper'', ''Rook Lion'', or ''Rion'' by problemists. |- || ''Cannon'' (Musketeer)|| || 1{{math|✳}}, ~2+, ~1/2 (narrow)||DWFsN || Musketeer Chess (Haddad, 2012)|| Moves like a '''Mann''', '''Dabbaba''' and limited Knight sideways. |- | '''Canvasser''' || || n+, ~ 1/3 || RC = RL || Ecumenical Chess (Charles Gilman, 2003) || Combination of '''Rook''' and '''Camel'''. |- | '''Capricorn''' || || || || 2000 A.D. (V. R. Parton 1970s)|| Captures by charging (moving to a vacant square orthogonally or diagonally adjacent to) an enemy piece. |- | '''Cardinal''' || PR || nX, ~ 1/2 || BN || Grand Chess (Freeling)|| Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Knight'''. Also called '''Princess''' or '''Archbishop'''. |- | '''Carpenter''' || || ~ 2+, ~ 1/2 || ND || Avon (C.Gilman) || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Also known as ''Templar'' (Jelliss), ''Doughnut'' (Betza), ''Ouroboros'' (Knappen), or ''Scribe'' (Joyce and Bagley-Jones). Name used in the [https://www.chessvariants.com/piececlopedia.dir/carpentr.html Chess Variant Pages]. |- | ''Castle'' || SQ || ~ 0/2, ~ 1/2, ~ 2/2|| NAD || Mideast Chess (California, 1971), Pacific Chess (Hawaii, 1971), Renn Chess (Greenwood, 1980)|| Jumps to any square a distance of two. Also called '''Squirrel''' (Fairy Chess problems). Compare with the '''Centurion''' in Arch-Chess. |- | '''Cavalier''' || || 1X.n+, n+.1X || t[RF]t[FR] || Mideast Chess (California, 1971), Renn Chess (Greenwood, 1980) || Either one square diagonal followed by an orthogonal slide outwards or an orthogonal slide followed by one square diagonal outwards. More powerful than the '''Gryphon'''. (Note that a Cavalier is a '''Knight''' in French). |- | '''Centaur''' {{anchor|centaur}} || || ~ 1/2, 1{{math|✳}} || KN || Fairy Chess problems, Courier-Spiel (Albers, 1821), Renn Chess (Greenwood, 1980), Reformed Courier-Spiel (Begnis, 2011), Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014)|| Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Mann'''. Also known as ''Crowned Knight'', ''Counselor'' (Albers), ''Page'' (Greenwood), ''Paladin'' (Clément Begnis), ''Judge'' (Kevin Pacey). |- | ''Centaur'' (Carrera) || PR || nX, ~ 1/2 || BN || Carrera's chess (1617), ''The Ouroboros King''|| Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Knight'''. Later on better known as '''Princess''', '''Archbishop''', ''Cardinal'', and many other names. |- | '''Centurion''' || || ~ 0/2, ~ 1/2, ~ 2/2 || NnAnD ||''Arciscacchiere'' (Archchess, Francesco Piacenza, 1683)|| Despite an error often reported in English modern references, the Centurion cannot jump over an intermediate piece when jumping like '''Alfil''' or '''Dabbaba''' in Arciscacchiere.<ref name="A World Of Chess" /> Compare with '''Squirrel'''. |- | '''Chameleon'''|| || || || Fairy Chess problems || Changes its powers, but not its color, on each move. Starts as a Knight on its first move, then plays as Bishop, then as Rook, then as Queen, then reverts as Knight and again always in this order.<ref name="guide-to-fairy-chess">Dickins, Anthony (1969). A Guide To Fairy Chess. Dover.</ref> |- | '''Champion''' (Omega Chess)|| || 1+, ~ 2{{math|✳}} || WAD || Omega Chess || Combines the powers of the '''Wazir''' and the '''Alibaba'''. |- | '''Champion''' (Begnis)|| || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2+ || WFD || [http://clement.begnis.free.fr Reformed Courier chess] || Combines the powers of the '''Mann''' and the '''Dabbaba'''. '''Warrior''' as alternative name. |- | ''Champion'' (Carrera) || EM || n+, ~ 1/2 || RN || Carrera's Chess (1617)|| Combines the powers of the '''Rook''' and '''Knight'''. Also called '''Empress''' (fairy chess), '''Chancellor''', ''Marshal'' (Freeling), or many other names. |- | '''{{vanchor|Chancellor}}''' || EM || n+, ~ 1/2 || RN || Carrera's Chess (1617), Sultanspiel (L. Tressan, 1840), Bird Chess (1874), Chancellor Chess (Ben Foster, 1887), Capablanca Chess (1920), Grand Chess (Freeling), Renn Chess (Greenwood, 1980), Seirawan Chess (2007), Musketeer Chess (Haddad, 2012), Etchessera (2017),<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.etchessera.com|title=Etchessera|website=www.etchessera.com|access-date=2017-07-20}}</ref> Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014)|| Combines the powers of the '''Rook''' and '''Knight'''. First named ''Champion'' (Carrera), later also called '''Empress''' (fairy chess), ''Guard'' (Bird), ''Marshal'' (Tressan, Freeling), ''Nobleman'' (Greenwood), or ''Elephant (Seirawan Chess)''. |- | '''Charging Knight''' || || (~ 1/2)>, 1{{math|✳}}< || fhNsbK || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Moves forward as a '''Knight''', or backwards and sideways as a '''King'''. Also known as ''Forfnibakking'' (from Betza notation fhNrlbK) |- | '''Charging Rook''' || || n>=, 1{{math|✳}}< || fsRbK || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Moves as a '''Rook''' forwards and sideways, or as a '''King''' backwards. Also known as ''Furlrurlbakking'' (from Betza notation frlRrlbK) |- | '''Chariot''' || R || n+ || R = WW || Chaturanga (Indian chess), Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || Moves as '''Rook'''. In Xiangqi originally ''車 Jū'' (Black '''Chariot''') and ''俥 Jū'' (Red '''Chariot'''). |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2X>), o1X> |mfF[cl]fF |American, Spanish and Italian Checkers |Moves forward one diagonal square without capturing, or captures by jumping diagonally over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. |- | '''Checker Man'''|| || cn(^2{{math|✳}}>=), o1X> || mfF[cl]fF[cl]fsW|| Old German (“Gothic”) Checkers || Moves forward one diagonal square without capturing, or captures by jumping in any direction forward or sideways over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2{{math|✳}}), o1{{math|✳}}> |mfK[cl]K |Ossetian Checkers (Tama) |Moves forward one square without capturing, or captures by jumping in any direction over an opponent's piece. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2X), o1X> |mfF[cl]F |most other Checkers |Moves forward one diagonal square without capturing, or captures by jumping diagonally over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank (Russian man can promote mid-capture). Harzdame (Benedikt Rosenau, 2010) rotates this piece into mfrW[cl]W. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^nX), o1X> |mfF[cl]B |Loca (Christian Freeling, 2020) |Moves forward one diagonal square without capturing, or captures by jumping any distance diagonally over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2X^4+), o1X> |mfF[cl]F[cl]D |Frisian Checkers |Moves forward one diagonal square without capturing, or captures by jumping in any direction over an opponent's piece on the same color. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2>=), o1>= |mfsW[cl]fsW |Greek and Turkish Checkers |Moves forward or sideways one square without capturing, or captures by jumping forward or sideways over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. Ossetian Keny men can capture backwards. Corner Checkers rotates this to mfrbF[cl](frb)F |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2>=), o1{{math|✳}}> |mfK[cl]fsW |Croda (Lubjan Dedić), Dameo (Christian Freeling, 2000) |Moves forward any direction one square without capturing, or captures by jumping orthogonally over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2>=), o1{{math|✳}}>= |mfKmsW[cl]fsW |Armenian Checkers |Moves forward any direction or sideways one square without capturing, or captures by jumping orthogonally over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2X), o1X |mF[cl]F |Sri Lankan Dām |Moves forward one diagonal square without capturing, or captures by jumping diagonally over an opponent's piece. Promotes to '''Checker King''' after it reaches the far rank. |- |'''Checker Man''' | |cn(^2{{math|✳}}), o1{{math|✳}} |mK[cl]K |Alquerque |'''Checker''' at Alquerque that can move in any direction (but only along grid lines). Such a piece is also known as the marine King or '''poseidon''' |- | '''Checker King'''|| || cn(^2X), o1X || mF[cl]F || American and Italian Checkers || Promoted '''Checker''' at American and Italian Checkers that can move diagonally backward. |- |'''Checker King''' | |cn(^2{{math|✳}}), o1{{math|✳}} or cn(^n{{math|✳}}), on{{math|✳}} |mK[cl]K or mQ[cl]Q |Old German (“Gothic”) Checkers |Promoted '''Checker''' at Old German (“Gothic”) Checkers that can move in any direction and may be flying (it can move any distance). Such a piece is also known as the marine King or Queen or '''poseidon''' or '''mermaid'''. |- |'''Checker King''' | |cn(^nX), onX |mB[cl]B |most other Checkers |Promoted '''Checker''' at International Draughts that is flying (it can move any distance). Such a piece is also known as the marine Bishop or '''nereide'''. |- |'''Checker King''' | |cn(^nX), o1X |mF[cl]B |Loca (Christian Freeling, 2020) |Promoted '''Checker''' at Loca that can move diagonally backward. |- |'''Checker King''' | |cn(^nX^2n+), onX |mB[cl]B[cl]DD |Frisian Checkers |Promoted '''Checker''' at Frisian Draughts that is flying (it can move any distance). |- |'''Checker King''' | |cn(^n+), on+ |mR[cl]R |Greek and Turkish Checkers, Harzdame (Benedikt Rosenau, 2010) |Promoted '''Checker''' at Greek and Turkish Checkers that is flying (it can move any distance). Such a piece is also known as the marine Rook or '''triton'''. |- |'''Checker King''' | |cn(^n+), on{{math|✳}} |mQ[cl]R |Armenian Checkers |Promoted '''Checker''' at Armenian Checkers that is flying (it can move any distance). |- | '''Cheetah''' || || ~ 1/3,~ 2/3,~ 0/3,~ 3/3 || CZGH = LJGH || Modern Variants (Silverman, Cazaux) || Leaper combining Camel, Zebra, Threeleaper and Tripper. Named ''Titan'' in Fantasy Grand Chess (P. Hatch, 2000).<ref name="fantasy-grand">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/large.dir/fantasygrandchess.html |title=Fantasy Grand Chess |access-date=2022-01-03 |archive-date=2021-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511190417/https://www.chessvariants.com/large.dir/fantasygrandchess.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Used in modern chessvariants played with AI AI.<ref name="AI AI">{{Cite web |url=http://mrraow.com/index.php/aiai-home/aiai/ |title=AI AI from Stephen Tavener }}</ref> |- | '''Chicken General''' || || 1-4>, 1X< || fW4bF || Taikyoku shogi || Can move up to four steps forward or one step diagonally backward. The ''Pup General'' in Taikyoku shogi has the same moves. |- | ''Cleric (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || See '''King'''. 3D movement: Can move or capture to the square directly above or below it. |- | '''Cloud Eagle''' || || n<>, 1{{math|✳}}, 3X> || vRKfB3 || Wa shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Flying Stag''' and a ''forward Bishop'' limited to 3 squares |- | ''Cockatrice'' || B || nX || B || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283)|| Moves any number of free squares diagonally. ''Cocatriz'' in medieval Spanish for ''cockatrice'' but it was represented as a crocodile in the medieval codex, moving like the orthodox '''Bishop'''. |- | '''Colonel''' || || n>, n=, 2/1>, 1{{math|✳}} || KfsRfhN || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combination of '''Charging Knight''' and '''Charging Rook''': moves forward as '''Knight''' or '''Rook''', sideways as Rook, or backwards as '''King'''. |- | '''Commoner''' {{anchor|commoner}} || EK || 1{{math|✳}} || WF || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || See ''Guard'' or '''Mann''' |- | '''Commuter'''<ref name="theory-of-moves" /> || || ~4X || (4,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Leaps four steps diagonally (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants). |- | ''Congo Pawn'' || || 1{{math|✳}}>, o1< (past the river), o2< (past the river) || fWfF (fWfFmbR2 past the river) || Congo || '''Iron General''' that can also move (but not capture) one or two steps straight backward without jumping when past the river. It promotes to ''Congo Superpawn'' (on last rank). |- | ''Congo Superpawn'' || || 1{{math|✳}}>=, o1<, o2<, o1X<, o2X< || sfWfFmbQ2 || Congo || ''Congo Pawn'' that can move and capture one step straight sideways, and move (but not capture) one or two steps straight or diagonally backward without jumping. |- | '''Coordinator''' || || || || Ultima || Captures any opposing piece that is on either of the two squares found at a) the intersection of its own file and the King's rank, and b) the intersection of the King's file and its own rank. |- | '''Copper General''' || || 1{{math|✳}}>, 1< || fFvW || Chu shogi, Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi, and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Iron General''' and ''Backslider'': moves one square in any direction forward or one square straight backward. Also known as ''Climbing Monkey'', ''Flying Goose'', or ''Yale''. |- | '''Corporal''' || || 1X>, o1>, io2> || fFmfWimfnD|| || Improved Pawn that can also move without capture diagonally forward. Compare with '''Pawn''' and '''Sergeant'''. |- | ''Counsellor'' || FE || 1X || F || Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || See ''Advisor'', '''Ferz'''. Also spelled ''Councellor''. |- | ''Courier'' || B || nX || B || Courier Chess (12th century), Courier-Spiel (1821), Reformed Courier-Spiel (Begnis, 2011) || Predecessor of the '''Bishop'''. |- | '''Crab''' || || ~ 1/2> (narrow), ~ 2/1< (wide) || ffNbsN || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || ''Narrow/Wide Knight-Hunter'': Moves forward as a ''Narrow Knight'', and backward as a ''Wide Knight''. Compare with '''Barc'''. |- | ''Crocodile'' (Congo) || || 1{{math|✳}}, n>; n=; n< (see notes) || fRbsWF or bRfsWF towards the river, sRvWF inside|| Congo (1982) || It is a '''Mann''' (anywhere), a file-restricted '''Rook''' towards the river (outside the river), or a rank-restricted Rook (inside the river) |- | ''Crocodile'' (Modern) || VA || c^nX, onX|| mBcpB || Zanzibar Chess, Terachess || Moves like a '''Bishop''' when not capturing, but captures by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on its destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond the hurdle). Also called '''Vao''', ''Archer'', ''Arrow''. |- | ''Crowned Bishop'' || || nX, 1+ || BW || Shōgi, Quintessential Chess (Knappen, 2002), Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014), Heavy/Very Heavy Chess (Cazaux, 2020) || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Wazir'''. Also known as '''Dragon Horse''' in shogi and Quintessential Chess, and as ''Missionary'' (Kevin Pacey, Cazaux). |- | ''Crowned Rook'' || || n+, 1X || RF ||Shōgi, Shatar, The Duke of Rutland's Chess (J. Manners, 1747),<ref name="Rutland">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NlECAAAAYAAJ&q=duke+of+rutland%27s+chess&pg=PA218|title = An Easy Introduction to the Game of Chess: Containing One Hundred Examples of Games, and a Great Variety of Critical Situations and Conclusions, Including the Whole of Philidor's Analysis, with Selections from Stamma, the Calabrois, &c, to which are Added, Caissa, a Poem, by Sir William Jones, the Morals of Chess, by Dr. Franklin, &c|year = 1817}}</ref><ref name="A World Of Chess" /> Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014), Heavy/Very Heavy Chess (Cazaux, 2020) || Combination of '''Rook''' and '''Ferz'''. Also known as '''Dragon King''' in shogi, ''Bers'' or ''Baras'' in traditional shatar (Mongolian chess). Also ''Sailor'' (Kevin Pacey) or ''Admiral'' (Cazaux). |- | '''Crown Princess''' || || nX, ~ 1/2, 1+ || BNW || Teutonic Knight's Chess (J. Knappen, 2009)<ref name="TeutonicKnightsChess" /> || Also known as ''Popess'' (Very Heavy Chess), ''Supercardinal'' (Pocket Mutation Chess). Combination of '''Princess/Archbishop''' and '''Wazir'''. Originally ''Kronprinzessin'' in German. |- | '''{{vanchor|D}}''' |- | '''{{vanchor|Dabbaba}}''' || DA || ~ 2+ || D = (0,2) || Chaturanga (Indian chess) (al-Adli, c. 840), Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405) || Old historic piece, also known as ''War Machine''. The Arabic word dabbāba formerly meant a type of medieval siege engine, and nowadays means "army tank". Alternate notation: ~ 0/2 |- | '''Dabbaba-checker''' || || || D[cl]W || || A Dabbaba that can also capture an enemy piece by leaping over it. This piece can potentially capture 2 enemy pieces at a time, one by jumping over it and the other by landing on it. |- | '''Dabbabante''' || || ~ 0/2n || (0,2n) || Dabbabante Chess (V.R. Parton 1971) || A piece that can jump directly to any square a '''Dabbabarider''' can reach. |- | '''Dabbabarider''' || || n(~ 2+) (in same direction) || DD || Fairy Chess problems || A rider which moves any number of (0,2) squares (i.e., Dabbaba moves) in the same direction. It is the ''Skip-rook'' of problemists (G.P. Jelliss). |- | '''Dayrider''' || || o1{{math|✳}}n(~2{{math|✳}})in same direction || mKAADD || Typhoon (1999), Jupiter (1999) || An enhanced '''Alibabarider''' with additional non-capturing steps to free neighbouring squares thus removing the bindings of an Alibabarider. Invented by Adrian King (1999) |- | '''Debtor''' || || || vDsN || Knavish Chess (Charles Gilman, 2011)<ref name="knavish">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chessvariants.com/invention/knavish-chess |title=Knavish Chess on chessvariants.org |access-date=2016-12-12 |archive-date=2016-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221215454/http://www.chessvariants.com/invention/knavish-chess |url-status=live }}</ref> || A six-directional piece, moving sidewards as a Knight and forwards and backwards as a '''Dabbaba'''. Also see '''Knave'''. |- | '''Diplomat''' || || || || Fairy Chess problems || Does not capture, cannot be captured, cannot move, but it saves from capture any adjacent piece to it. Other pieces can be granted ''diplomatic'' power.<ref name="guide-to-fairy-chess" /> |- | '''Dinosaur''' || || cn{{math|✳}} || cQ || Fairy Chess problems (J. de A. Almay, 1940), Megasaur Chess (Parton's ''Enduring Spirit of Dasapada'') || Captures like a Queen but never moves from his position unless to capture. |- | '''Direwolf''' || || ~ 0/2,~ 1/2,~ 2/2,~ 1/3,~ 2/3,~ 0/3,~ 3/3 || ANDHCZG=ANDHLJG || Bigorra (Cazaux) || Super-leaper combining '''Squirrel'''+'''Cheetah''', that is to say Dabbaba, Knight, Alfil, Camel, Zebra, Threeleaper and Tripper. Formerly called ''Sabertooth''.[https://www.chessvariants.com/index/listcomments.php?id=52721 Comment on Fantasy Grand CHess XIII] |- | '''Dog''' || || 1>, 1X< || fWbF || Taikyoku shogi, Tenjiku shogi, Wa shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Moves one square directly forward (as '''Wazir'''), or diagonally backward (as a '''Ferz'''). Also called ''Strutting Crow'' (Taikyoku shogi and Wa shogi), ''Swooping Owl'', or ''Wazir/Ferz-Hunter''. |- | '''Dolphin''' || || 3+,o~ 2+,o~ 3+ || R3mDmH || Falconry (Russia, 1982) || Moves and captures 1, 2 or 3 squares like a limited Rook. It may leap over occupied squares but only when non capturing. |- | '''Donkey''' || || 1=, ~ 2<> || sWfbD || Maka dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Jumps 1 square sideways, or 2 squares forwards and backwards. |- | '''Dragon''' || DR || o1>, c1X>, io2>, ~ 1/2 || NmfWcfFimfnD || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Pawn'''. |- | ''Dragon'' (Dragonchess) || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || See '''Dragon Horse''' (bound to upper board). 3D movement: Can capture remotely (without leaving level) one cell below it or like a '''Wazir''' pattern. |- | '''Dragon''' (''5D'') || || || || ''5D Chess with Multiverse Time Travel'' (Thunkspace, 2020) || Analogue of '''Bishop''' in higher dimensions. Quadragonal movement: Any moves must incorporate all of the game's four axes equally, resulting in diagonal spatial dimension movements paired with diagonal temporal and timeline movements. Compare with ''Unicorn'' (''5D''). |- | '''{{vanchor|Dragon Horse}}''' || || nX, 1+ || BW || Shōgi, Quintessential Chess (Knappen, 2002) || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Wazir'''. Also known as ''Crowned Bishop'' or a ''Missionary'' (Kevin Pacey, Cazaux). |- | '''{{vanchor|Dragon King}}''' || || n+, 1X || RF ||Shōgi, Shatar, The Duke of Rutland's Chess (J. Manners, 1747),<ref name="Rutland" /><ref name="A World Of Chess" /> || Combination of '''Rook''' and '''Ferz'''. Also called ''Crowned Rook'' (Rutland), ''Sailor'' (Kevin Pacey) or ''Admiral'' (Cazaux). It is the ''Bers'' or ''Baras'' in traditional shatar (Mongolian chess). |- | '''Drunk Elephant''' || || 1X, 1>= || FsfW || Sho shogi, Chu shogi, Tori shogi, Wa shogi, and other large Shōgi variants || Moves one square in any adjacent direction except orthogonally backward. Called ''Falcon'' in Tori Shogi, or ''Roaming Boar'' in Wa shogi. |- | ''Drunken Soldier'' || || 1>= || sfW || Janggi (Korean chess), Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || Moves 1 square forward or sideways. Same as ''Korean Pawn'' in Janggi and promoted Pawn in Xiangqi (after crossing the river). |- | '''Duchess''' || || 1*, ~ 2/2, ~ 3/3, ~ 0/2, ~ 0/3 || (1,1)(0,1)(2,2)(0,2)(3,3)(0,3) = KADGH = WFADGH || Modern Chess variants by Cazaux || Combination of the '''Mann''', '''Alfil''', '''Dabbaba''', '''Tripper''' and '''Threeleaper'''. |- |'''Duck''' | |o~ n/n | |Duck Chess (Dr. Tim Paulden, 2016) |Colorless piece, may jump to any space on the board, though cannot capture nor be captured. |- | '''Duke''' || || 1+.nX, nX.1+ || t[BW]t[WB] || Renn Chess (Greenwood, 1980) || Either one square horizontal or vertical followed by a diagonal slide outwards or a diagonal slide followed by one square horizontal or vertical outwards. Compare with '''Manticore'''. |- | ''Duke'' (Jelliss) || || 1X, ~ 2+ || FD || Fairy chess || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Better known as '''Kirin''' (large shogis). |- | ''Duke'' (Musketeer chess) || || 1-2+, ~1/2 || WDN || Musketeer chess: Castellum armies || Combination of '''War Machine''' and '''{{vanchor|Knight}}'''. See '''Minister'''. |- | ''Dullahan'' || || 1X,~ 1/2 || FN || Fearful Fairies<ref name="fearful-fairies" /> || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Knight'''. Known as ''Prince'' among problemists and named '''Priest''' in Scirocco. The name Dullahan was chosen as a male counterpart to '''Banshee'''. |- | '''Dummy''' || DU || || || || A piece with no moves at all. It may gain temporarily moving ability by relay, or pushed or pulled by other specific pieces. It can be captured. Compare with '''Pyramid''', and '''Zero'''. |- | ''Dwarf (Dragonchess)'' || || o1>= c1X> || msfWcfF || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || ''Pawn'' that can move without capture one cell laterally (no initial double step), 3D movement: Can capture to the cell directly above it. |- | '''{{vanchor|E}}''' |- | '''Eagle''' || || nX>, n<, 1{{math|✳}}, 2X< || fBbRWbB2 || Tori shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of ''Bishop/Rook-hunter'' (''Falcon''), '''Mann''', and a backward '''Bishop''' restricted to 2 squares. |- | ''Eagle'' || || 1X.n+ || t[FR] || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283), Metamachy, Terachess || Moves one square diagonally followed by moving any number of spaces like a Rook outwards (moving away from where it started). See '''Gryphon'''. |- | '''Edgehog''' || EH || n{{math|✳}} (edges) || Q (edges) || Edgehog Chess I (John Driver, 1966) & III (P. Aronson, 2001)<ref name="EdgehogChess">Aronson, Peter (2001). [http://www.chessvariants.org/dpieces.dir/edgehog-chess.html "EdgehogChess"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620082821/http://chessvariants.org/dpieces.dir/edgehog-chess.html |date=2010-06-20 }}. ''CVP''.</ref> || A queen that can move only to or from the edge of the board. |- | '''Edgehog (Limited)''' || || n{{math|✳}} (see notes) || Q (see notes) || Edgehog Chess II (John Driver, 1966) & III (P. Aronson, 2001)<ref name="EdgehogChess" /> || Moves as a Queen, but if on an edge, must move to non-edge, and if on non-edge must move to edge. |- |'''Egg''' | | | |''The Ouroboros King'' |Doesn't Move, See '''Zero''' |- | ''Elemental (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || Moves like non-leaping ''King+Dabbaba'', captures like non-leaping ''Wazir+Dabbaba''; on lower board. 3D movement: Can move or capture on any non-leaping ''Wazir'' pattern above or below. |- | '''Elephant (Chinese)''' || || 2X || nA || Dai shogi, Shōgi, Xiangqi || A (2,2)-leaper but cannot jump over an intervening piece. In xianqi the Elephant is restricted to its half of the board. Originally ''象 Xiàng'' (Black ''Elephant'') and ''相 Xiàng'' (Red ''Minister''). |- | ''Elephant (Ciccolini) '' || || ~ 2/3 || Z = J = (2,3) || Ciccolini's Chess (1820) || Named ''Giraffe'' (Grant Acedrex, 1283) or also '''Zebra''' by problemists. |- | ''Elephant (Indian)'' || || 1X, 1> || FfW || Indian chess (al Biruni, c. 1030) || See '''Silver General'''. |- | '''Elephant (Korean) ''' || || 2/3 || t[WnA] || Janggi (Korean chess)|| ''Sang'' in Korean. Non-leaping '''Zebra'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Elephant (Modern)}}''' || || 1X, ~ 2X || FA || Alber's Courier-Spiel (1821), Shako (Chess) (1990), Reformed Courier Chess, Metamachy (2012) || Combination of '''Ferz''' (''medieval Queen'') and '''Alfil''' (''medieval Bishop'', shatranj ''Elephant''). Also called ''Falafel'' (R. Betza), ''Ferfil'' (G.P. Jelliss), or ''Ferz Alfil''. It is the ''Archer'' in Begnis's Reformed Courier-Spiel. |- | ''Elephant (Musketeer)'' | || 1{{math|✳}}, ~2+, ~2X || KAD = WFAD || Musketeer Chess (Haddad, 2012) || Moves like a '''Mann''' (Wazir + Ferz) or '''Dabbaba''' or '''Alfil'''. Also known as ''Mammoth'', ''Mastodon'', ''Squire'', '''Pasha'''. |- | ''Elephant (Persian)''|| AL || ~ 2X || A = (2,2) || Chaturanga (Indian chess), Shatranj (Persian chess), European Chess (before 1475) || (2,2)-leaper. See '''Alfil'''. |- | ''Elephant (von Wilpert)'' || ET || n{{math|✳}}, n~(1/2) (in same direction)|| QNN || Wolf Chess (1943),<ref name="WolfChess" /> Fairy Chess problems (Jean Oudot, 1975) || Combination of Queen and '''Nightrider''', also called '''Amazonrider'''. Originally '''Elefant(en)''' in German. |- | ''Emperor'' || || 1+,~ 1/2 || WN || Fairy Chess problems (Jelliss) || Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Knight'''. Also called '''Marquis'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Empress}}''' || EM || n+, ~ 1/2 || RN || Carrera's Chess (Carrera, 1617), Tutti-Frutti Chess (Betza & Cohen), Wolf Chess (1943)<ref name="WolfChess">von Wilpert, Arno (1943). ''Wolf-Schach''.</ref> || Combines the powers of the '''Rook''' and '''Knight'''. Also called ''Champion'' (Carrera's Chess), '''Chancellor''', ''Concubine'' (The Duke of Rutland's Chess, J. Manners, 1747),<ref name="Rutland" /> ''Elephant'' (Seirawan Chess), ''Marshal'', or ''Wolf'' (Wolf Chess). |- | ''Ensign'' || || onX,cn+ || mBcR || ''Enlarged & Improved Chess'' (1696)|| Moves like a '''Bishop''' but captures like a '''Rook'''. Also named '''Biok'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Evil Wolf}}''' || || 1>=, 1X> || sfK || Dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants, Jetan (Burroughs' Martian chess) || Moves as a '''King''' but without any backwards movement. Also known as ''Pathan'' (Jetan Pawn), ''Pikeman'', or ''Drunken Pawn''. |- | '''{{vanchor|F}}''' |- | '''FAD''' || || 1X, ~ 2{{math|✳}} || FAD || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combines the powers of the '''Ferz''' and the '''Alibaba''', also called ''Feralfda''. |- | ''Falafel'' || || 1X, ~ 2X || FA || Betza's Chess || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Alfil'''. Also called '''Elephant (Modern)'''. |- | '''Falcon''' || || nX>, n< || fBbR || Falcon-Hunter Chess, Maka dai dai shogi, Tai shogi || Moves forward as a '''Bishop''', and backward as a '''Rook'''. Also known as ''Bishop/Rook-Hunter'', and ''Free Tile'' in Maka dai dai shogi and Tai shogi. |- | '''{{vanchor|Falcon (Falcon Chess)}}''' || || 1/3, 2/3|| nCnZ = nLnJ || Falcon Chess patent (George Duke, 1996) || A non-jumping '''Bison''' with multiple paths consisting of three straight or diagonal steps towards its endpoints. It can be blocked by two pieces and it can create a double pin. |- | '''Falcon (Falconry)''' || || 3X,~ 1/3 || CB3 || Falconry (Russia, 1982)|| Moves like a Camel (3,1) or 1,2,3 squares diagonally like a limited Bishop without jumping over occupied squares. It is a colorbound piece. |- | '''Faro''' || FA || cn+, o^n+|| cRmpR || Fairy Chess problems (M. Rittirsch, 2016) || Argentinian Rook, captures as a '''Rook''' but needs to jump over a hurdle for non-capturing moves,<ref name="bcps-glossary">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theproblemist.org/dloads/Glossary.pdf |title=S. Emmerson, A Glossary of Fairy Chess Definitions |access-date=2021-04-15 |archive-date=2021-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506161729/https://www.theproblemist.org/dloads/Glossary.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> compare '''Cannon''' |- | ''Ferfil'' || || 1X, ~ 2X || FA || Fairy Chess Problems (Jelliss) || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Alfil'''. Also called '''Elephant (Modern)'''. |- | '''Ferocious Leopard''' || || 1X, 1<> || FvW || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Moves one square in any adjacent direction except orthogonally sideways. Also known as ''Crane'' (Tori shogi) and ''Horrible Panther''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Ferz|Fers}}''' || FE || 1X || F = (1,1) || Chaturanga, Shatranj, Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405), European Chess (before 1475), Archchess (Francesco Piacenza, 1683), Martian chess, || Moves one square diagonally in any direction. Usually spelled ''Fers'' by problemists, and ''Ferz'' in chess variants. Also called ''Cat Sword'' (Dai shogi), ''Decurion'' (Archchess), ''Martian Pawn'' (Martian Chess), ''Minister'', ''Persian Queen''. Simply the move of the '''Queen''' in Europe before 1475. (The word ''ferz'', Ферзь, is the regular '''Queen''' in Russian.) |- | '''Fibnif''' || || ~ 1/2<>, 1X || fbNF || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combination of ''narrow Knight'' and '''Ferz''' |- | '''Fiveleaper'''<ref name="theory-of-moves" /> || BU || ~5+, ~3/4 || (0,5)(3,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Leaper that makes moves 5 units in length. Due to the Pythagorean theorem, it has twelve possible directions. Also named '''Root-25-Leaper'''. |- | '''Flamingo''' || || ~ 1/6 || (1,6) || Fairy Chess problems || Makes a long (1,6) jump. |- | '''Flying Cock''' || || 1=, 1X> || sWfF || Wa shogi and Taikyoku shogi || Moves 1 square diagonally forward, or 1 square sideways. Also known as ''Sidewinder''. |- | '''Flying Dragon''' || || 2X || B2 || Dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || A '''Bishop''' restricted to a distance of two squares. |- | ''Flying Dragon (Ganymede)'' || || nX, ~ 1/3 || BC = BL || Ganymede Chess<ref name="ganymede-chess" /> || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Camel''', better known as '''Caliph'''. |- | '''Flying Falcon''' || || nX, 1> || BfW || Wa shogi and Taikyoku shogi || '''Bishop''' that can step one square forward. |- | '''Flying Horse''' || || 1+, 2X> || WnfA || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Wood General'''. |- | '''Flying Kingfisher''' || || n(2{{math|✳}}) in same direction,1{{math|✳}} || KAADD = WFAADD ||Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combination of '''Alibabarider''' and '''Mann'''. |- | '''Flying Ox''' || || nX, n<> || vRB || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Reverse Chariot''' |- | '''Flying Stag''' || || n<>, 1{{math|✳}} || vRK || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Reverse Chariot''' and '''Mann''' |- | ''{{vanchor|Fool}}'' || WE || 1+ || W = (0,1) || Courier Chess (12th century) || Moves one square orthogonally in any direction (see '''Wazir'''). Also called ''Schleich'', ''Jester'', ''Joker'', ''Spy'', ''Smuggler'', or ''Sneak''. |- | ''Fool (Omega)'' || || || || Omega Chess (1992) || Moves like the piece the opponent last moved. |- | '''Forequeen''' || || n{{math|✳}}>=, ~ 1/2<, 1{{math|✳}}< || fsQbhNbK || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Moves as '''Queen''' forward or sideways, or as '''Mann''' or '''Knight''' backwards. |- | '''Forfer''' || || 1X, 1-4+ || FR4 || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combination of '''Ferz''' and ''short Rook''; or '''Dragon King''' (''Ferz+Rook'') limited up to 4 squares. |- | ''Fortress'' || || 1X, ~ 2+ || FD || Pacific Chess (Hawaii, 1971) || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Also known as Duke (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants). Better known as '''Kirin''' (large shogis). |- | ''Fortress (Musketeer)'' || || ~2+, 1/2 (wide), 3X || F3DfbN || Musketeer Chess (Haddad, 2012) || Moves like a '''Bishop''' limited to 3 squares or ''narrow Knight'' or '''Dabbaba'''. |- | '''Fourleaper''' || || ~ 4+ || (0,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Jumps four squares orthogonally, leaping over any intermediate piece (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants). |- | '''Free Bear''' || || nX, n=, 2X> || sRBfA || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Free Boar''' and forward-restricted '''Alfil'''. |- | '''Free Boar''' || ||nX, n= || sRB || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Rook''' restricted to sideways directions. |- | '''Free Gold''' || || n+, nX> || RfB || Maka dai dai shogi, Obento Chess (E.Silverman) || Combination of '''Rook''' and forward-only '''Bishop'''. Also known as ''Gold Rider'' (Silverman). |- | ''Free King'' || Q || n{{math|✳}} || Q = RB || Chu shogi, large shogis || Combines the powers of the '''Bishop''' and '''Rook'''. Called ''Honno'' in Chu shogi and other large shogis. |- | '''Free Silver''' || || nX, n> || BfR || Maka dai dai shogi, Obento Chess (E.Silverman) || Combination of '''Bishop''' and forward-only '''Rook'''. Also known as ''Silver Rider'' (Silverman). |- | '''Friend''' || F || || || Fairy Chess problems || Moves like any friendly piece that is guarding it. Compare with '''Orphan'''. |- | '''Frog'''<ref name="theory-of-moves" />|| || 1X, ~3+ || FH || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Threeleaper'''. The simplest amphibian. |- | '''Fusilier''' || || o1+, c1X || mWcF || ''Jeu de la Guerre'' (Prague, 1770), Centennial Chess (J.W.Brown, 1999) || Extended Pawn, moves one square orthogonally in all four directions, and captures diagonally in all four directions; also called a ''Quadrapawn'', a ''Steward'' (Brown) or a ''Hobbit''. |- | '''{{vanchor|G}}''' |- | '''General (Chinese)''' || || 1+, "''Flying General''": cn> (against enemy ''General'') || kW, "''Flying General''": cfR (against enemy General) || Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || ''Chinese King''. ''Royal Wazir'' that cannot leave the palace (3×3 zone at the center of South and North sides), except for executing the ''Flying General'' move: a capturing ''forward Rook'' against the enemy General that is used to force checkmate. Originally ''將 Jiàng'' (Black ''General'') and ''帥 shuài'' (Red ''General'') in Chinese. Also called ''Governor'' in Xiangqi. |- |'''General (Chess.com)''' | |~ 1/2,1{{math|✳}} | KN | XXL chess etc. of Chess.com | Combination of '''Mann''' and '''Knight'''; same as '''Centaur''' |- | '''General (Ciccolini)'''|| || nX,n(~ 2+) || BDD || Ciccolini's Chess (1820) || Combine '''Bishop''' and '''Dabbabarider''', a colorbound piece. |- | '''General (Paulovits)'' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 1/3 || KC = KL = WFC || Paulovits's Game (1890) || Combination of non-royal '''King''' or '''Mann''' and '''Camel'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Giraffe}}''' (Modern)|| GI || ~ 1/4 || (1,4) || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) according to H.J.R. Murray (1913) || Wrong historical interpretation but now a popular fairy piece. Compare with ''Giraffe (Zaraffa)'' |- | ''Giraffe (Zaraffa)''|| Z || ~ 2/3 || Z = J = (2,3) || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283), Zanzibar, Terachess || Old historic piece. Jumps one square orthogonally followed by two squares diagonally outwards. Also called '''Zebra''' as fairy piece. |- | '''Giraffe (Zurafa)'''|| || ~ 1/4.n+(outwards) || t[(1,4)R] || Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405) || Old historic piece. Starts with a (1,4) leap (like the modern '''Giraffe''') and may continue moving outwards as a '''Rook'''. |- | ''Giraffe'' (Congo)|| || ~ 2{{math|✳}}, o1{{math|✳}} || ADmK|| Congo (1982) || '''Alibaba''' that moves but does not capture as a '''Mann'''. Compare with '''Pasha''' |- | ''Giraffe (Giraffe Chess)'' || CA || ~ 1/3 || C = L = (1,3) || Giraffe Chess || Old historic piece. Jumps 2 squares orthogonally followed by one square diagonally outwards. Mostly known as '''Camel''' but called ''Giraffe'' in [https://www.giraffechess.com Giraffe Chess], popular in India. |- | '''Girlscout''' || GT || || zR || Fairy Chess problems, Jupiter (A. King 1999) || Moves like a Rook but takes a 90 degree bent after each step in a zig-zag manner. Also named ''Crooked Rook'' (R. Betza). Compare '''Boyscout'''. |- |''Gliding Swallow'' |R |n+ |R = WW | |Compare '''Rook''' |- | '''{{vanchor|Gnu}}''' || GN || ~ 1/2, ~ 1/3 || NC = NL || Wildebeest Chess (R.W. Schmittberger, 1987) || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Camel'''. Called ''Wildebeest'' in Wildebeest Chess. Called ''Unicorn'' in Musketeer Chess. Invented by Walter Jacobs (Fairy Chess Review, 1934/8). |- | '''Gnurider''' || GR || n(~ 1/2), n(~ 1/3) || NNCC = NNLL || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Nightrider''' and '''Camelrider'''<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''Go-Between''' || || 1<> || vW || Chu shogi, Dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Pawn (Japanese)''' and ''Backslider'': moves one square forward or backward. Also known as ''Adjutant''. |- |'''Go-between''' (Chinese) | |on{{Math|✳}} |mQ |Game of the Seven Kingdoms |Moves like a '''Queen''', but cannot be captured nor capture. Also known as ''Jester (Brybelly)''. |- | '''Godzilla''' || || 1X.n+, 1+.nX || t[FR]t[WB] || [https://www.chessvariants.com/piececlopedia.dir/whos-who-on-8x8.html Chessvariantpages (Derzhanski)] || Double bent-rider. Combines '''Gryphon''' and '''Manticore'''. |- | '''Golden Bird''' || || || vRlrW2F3 || Taikyoku shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Slides and jumps the first 3 squares along the forward diagonals. |- | '''Gold General''' || || 1+, 1X> || WfF || Shōgi, Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi || Moves one square orthogonally, or one square diagonally forward. Also called ''Golden Bird'' or ''Violent Wolf'' (Taikyoku shogi and Wa shogi). |- | '''Goose''' || || ~ 2X>, ~ 2< || fAbD || Tori shogi || ''Alfil/Dabbaba-Hunter'' (moves forward as '''Alfil''', backward as '''Dabbaba'''). |- | '''Gorilla'''|| || ~ 1+, ~ 1X, ~ 1/3 || FWC || Chexx chess || Combines the moves of '''Ferz''', '''Wazir''' and '''Camel'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Grasshopper}}''' || G || ^n{{math|✳}}|| gQ || Fairy Chess problems || A hopper which moves along the same lines as Queen and lands on the square immediately beyond the hurdle, which can be of either color. It captures on its destination square. One of the most popular fairy pieces. Also known as ''Queen-hopper''. |- | ''Graz Pawn''<ref name="dieschwalbe" /> || || 1{{math|✳}}>, io2{{math|✳}}> || fKimfnDimfnA || Fairy Chess problems || Combines the powers of the '''Berolina Pawn''' and the standard '''Pawn'''. It occurs (without the initial double move) as '''Iron General''' in large shogi variants from the 15th century, e.g., in Tenjiku shogi. Compare with '''Sergeant'''. |- | '''Great Horse''' || || n<>, 2=, nX> || fBvRsW2 || Taikyoku shogi || Moves as a forward Bishop, vertical Rook, or up to 2 squares sidewards. The ''Horseman'' in Taikyoku Shogi has the same moves. |- | ''Griffin (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || See '''Zebra''' (on upper board). 3D movement: Can move or capture one jump along a space diagonal below or above. |- | '''{{vanchor|Gryphon}}''' || || 1X.n+ || t[FR] || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283), Metamachy, ''The Ouroboros King'' || Originally ''Aanca'' in the ancient Castillan codex, a giant eagle mistaken for a Gryphon by Murray (1913). Moves one square diagonally followed by moving any number of spaces like a rook outwards (moving away from where it started). Also known as ''Eagle''. |- | ''{{vanchor|Guard}}'' || EK || 1{{math|✳}} || WF (=K) || Courier Chess, Pacific Chess, Renn Chess, Waterloo Chess || Moves as King but is not royal. Also called '''Mann''', ''Commoner'', ''Prince'', or ''Spy'' (Waterloo Chess). |- | ''Guard'' || || on+, cnX || mRcB || ''Enlarged & Improved Chess'' (1696)|| Moves like a '''Rook''' but captures like a '''Bishop'''. German name ''Trabant(en)'', also named '''Roshop'''. |- |'''Guard (Etchessera)''' || || || ||Etchessera<ref name=":0" /> || When the King moves, the Guard follows the King by moving to its last occupied square. The Guard otherwise cannot move. |- | '''{{vanchor|H}}''' |- | '''Half-Duck''' || || 1X, ~ 2+, ~ 3+ || HFD || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combination of '''Kirin''' and '''Threeleaper'''. |- | ''Hare'' || || ~ 2/4 || (2,4) || Fairy chess problems || Jumps two squares diagonally followed by two squares orthogonally outwards. Also known as '''Stag''' or ''Lancer''. Original name ''Hase'' in German. |- | '''Harvester''' || || nX,1+.nX || Bt[WB]|| Tripunch Chess (Betza, 2002) || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Manticore'''. Compare with '''Reaper'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Hawk}}''' || || ~ 2/2, ~ 3/3, ~ 0/2, ~ 0/3 || (2,2)(0,2)(3,3)(0,3) = ADGH || Musketeer Chess,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/recreomathematica/home/chess-variants/muskeetervalues|title=muskeetervalues - Recreomathematica|last=Sabian|first=Sbiis|website=sites.google.com|access-date=2019-11-04|archive-date=2020-03-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331005510/https://sites.google.com/site/recreomathematica/home/chess-variants/muskeetervalues|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.musketeerchess.net/home/index.html|title=homepage|website=www.musketeerchess.net|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chessvariants.com/rules/musketeer-chess|title=The Chess Variant Pages: Musketeer Chess|last1=Inventor|first1=The Game's|last2=Haddad|first2=Zied|website=The Chess Variant Pages|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref> Infinite Chess (Naviary, 2023)|| Jumps two or three squares in any orthogonal or diagonal direction. |- | ''Heavenly Horse'' || || || ffbbN || Wa shogi || Occurs in Taikyoku shogi with a different move. |- | '''Heavenly Tetrarch''' || || 4{{math|✳}} || Q4 || Taikyoku shogi || Move as '''Queen''' limited to 4 steps |- | ''Hero (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || See '''Elephant (Modern)''' (on middle board). 3D movement: Can move or capture one cell along a space diagonal below or above. |- | '''Heroine''' || || n+, ~ 1/2, 1X || RNF || Pocket Mutation Chess (Nelson, 2003), Teutonic Knight's Chess (Knappen, 2009), K. Pacey (2019), Very Heavy Chess (Cazaux, 2020) || Combination of '''Empress/Chancellor''' and '''Ferz'''. Also known as ''Superchancellor'' (Nelson), ''Archchancellor'' (Knappen), ''Ship'' (Pacey). |- | ''Hia'' || || 2{{math|✳}} (''Hia'' power) || Q2 (''Hia'' power) || Hiashatar (Mongolian decimal chess) || Mongolian '''Bodyguard''' (see). |- | '''High Priestess'''<ref name="complementary-part-1" /> || || 1X, ~ 2X, ~ 1/2 || FAN || Two large Shatranj variants (J.Joyce 2005) || Combines the powers of '''Ferz''', '''Alfil''', and '''Knight'''. Also known as ''Leopard''. |- | '''Hippopotamus''' || || c~ 1/2 || cN || Fairy Chess problems (J. de A. Almay, 1940), Megasaur Chess (Parton's ''Enduring Spirit of Dasapada'') || Captures like a Knight but never moves from his position unless to capture. Also called ''Hipposaur'' (Parton). |- | ''Hobbit'' || || o1+, c1X || mWcF || ''Jeu de la Guerre'' (Prague, 1770), Hobbit Chess (2002) || Moves one square orthogonally in all four directions, and captures diagonally in all four directions; originally called a '''Fusilier''' (1770). |- | '''Horned Falcon''' || || nX, n<=, 1>, ~ 2> || BsbRfWfD or BrlbRdhfWfD || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Moves as a '''Bishop''', as a '''Rook''' except forward), or as a '''Lion (Japanese)''' up to 2 squares orthogonally forward. |- | ''Horse'' || MA || 1/2 || t[WF] || Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || See '''Mao'''. Originally ''馬 Mǎ'' (Black ''Horse'') and ''傌 Mà'' (Red ''Horse'') in Chinese. |- | ''Hospitaller''<ref name="simple-chess-variants" /> || || ~ 1/2, ~ 2X || NA || Fairy Chess problems (Jelliss) || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Alfil'''. Also known as '''Kangaroo''' or ''Priestess'' (Joyce and Bagley-Jones) |- | '''Howling Dog''' || || n>, 1< || fRbW || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Lance''' and ''Backslider''. |- | '''Hunter''' || || n>, nX< || fRbB || ''Spanish'' Chess (1739), Falcon-Hunter Chess || Moves forward as '''Rook''', and backward as '''Bishop'''. First proposed in ''Spanish'' Chess (Germany,1739),<ref name="A World Of Chess" /> as ''Archer''. Also known as ''Rook/Bishop-Hunter'', and ''Multi General'' in Tenjiku shogi and Taikyoku shogi. |- | '''{{vanchor|I}}''' |- | '''Ibis'''<ref name="theory-of-moves" /> || || ~ 1/5 || (1,5) || Fairy Chess problems || Jumps 4 squares orthogonally followed by one square diagonally outwards. |- | '''Imitator''' || || || || Ultima || Colorless piece; cannot capture; moves only in dependence of other pieces – its move being simultaneous to every piece's move, parallel and of same length and direction. If a line piece's move is imitated, the imitator's path must not be blocked. Neither can the imitator be moved outside the board. If complete imitation is not possible, the respective move is illegal. |- | '''Immobilizer''' || || on{{math|✳}} (Immo1{{math|✳}}) || mQ (Immo-K) || Ultima || Moves as '''Queen'''; any enemy piece that is adjacent to the immobilizer is frozen and cannot move until the immobilizer moves away or is captured. If two immobilizers are next to each other, they are both frozen until the end of the game or one is captured. Also known as ''Freezer''. |- | '''Impala''' || || ~ 1/2, ~ 3/4 || N(3,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Antelope'''. |- | '''Iron General''' || || 1{{math|✳}}> || fK || Dai shogi, Tenjiku shogi, other Shōgi variants.|| Moves one square in any direction forward. Also called ''Forward King''. |- | '''{{vanchor|J}}''' |- |''Jester (Brybelly)'' | |on{{Math|✳}} |mQ |Faerie Chess |Moves as Queen, but can't capture, nor be captured. Also Known as '''Go-between (Chinese)'''. |- | ''Joker'' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2{{math|✳}}, ~ 1/2 || KAND = WFAND || Waterloo Chess, Amsterdam Medieval Chess ||Identical to the KAND '''Lion''' |- | ''Judge'' || || ~ 1/2, 1{{math|✳}} || KN || Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014)|| Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Mann'''. Also known as '''Centaur'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|K}}''' |- | '''Kangaroo'''|| || ~ 1/2, ~ 2X || NA || Outback Chess (T. Newton 2002) || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Alfil'''. Also known as ''Hospitaller'' or ''Priestess''. |- | ''Khon'' || || 1X, 1> || FfW || Indian chess (Biruni, c. 1030), Makruk (Thai chess), Shōgi, Sittuyin (Burmese chess), Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Soldier''': moves one square in any direction diagonally or one square straight forward. Also called ''Burmese Elephant'', ''Hsin'' in sittuyin (Burmese chess), ''Elephant'' in some versions of Indian chess, '''Silver General''' in shogi, and ''Violent Stag'' in taikyoku shogi and wa shogi. |- | style="background:#ffce9e" | '''{{vanchor|King}}''' || K || 1{{math|✳}} || K = WF || Orthodox chess, Chaturanga, Shatranj, Shōgi, Tamerlane Chess, Tori shogi || Moves one square in any direction. (Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Ferz'''). Royal in orthodox chess. Also called ''Raja'' (chaturanga), ''Shah'' (shatranj), ''Jeweled General'' (shōgi), or ''Phoenix'' (tori shōgi). For a non-royal piece which moves like the '''King''', see '''Mann''', ''Commoner'' or ''Guard''. |- | ''King (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || King (on middle board) with a 3D movement: can move or capture to the cell directly above or below it. |- | '''Kirin''' || || 1X, ~ 2+ || FD || Chu shogi, Dai shogi and other Shōgi variants, Pacific Chess (Hawaii, 1971) || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Also called ''Diamond'' (for its pattern), ''Fortress'' (Pacific Chess), ''Duke'' (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants). |- | '''Knave''' || || ~2=, ~1\2<>|| sDffbbN || Knavish Chess (Charles Gilman, 2011)<ref name="knavish" /> || A six-directional piece, moving sidewards as a '''Dabbaba''' and forwards and backwards as a '''Knight'''. Also see '''Debtor'''. |- | '''Kneen''' || || o~ 1/2, cn{{math|✳}} || mNcQ || Parton's Chess || Moves like a '''Knight''' and captures like a '''Queen'''. First proposed by V.R. Parton in Chess Curiouser & Curiouser (1961). See also '''Quight'''. |- | style="background:#ffce9e" | '''{{vanchor|Knight}}''' || S || ~ 1/2 || N = (1,2) || Chaturanga, Orthodox chess, Shatranj, Tamerlane Chess || Jumps one square orthogonally followed by another square diagonally. Called ''Ashwa'' (horse) in Chaturanga, ''Faras'' (horse) in Shatranj, or ''Zebra'' in Congo. |- | '''Knight (Japanese)''' || || (~ 1/2)> (narrow) || ffN || Shōgi (Japanese chess) || ''Narrow Knight'' restricted to forward movements. |- | '''Knishop''' || || ~ 1/2>, nX< || fNbB || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || ''Knight/Bishop-hunter'': moves forward as a '''Knight''' and backward as a '''Bishop'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|L}}''' |- | '''Lance''' || || n> || fR || Shōgi, Chu shogi, Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi || Moves any number of squares directly forward. Also called ''Forward Rook'' (checkers chess), and ''Oxcart'' (Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi). |- | ''Lancer'' || || ~ 2/4 || (2,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Jumps two squares diagonally followed by two squares orthogonally outwards. Also known as '''Stag''' or ''Hare'' (original German name ''Hase'') by problemists. |- |'''Leeloo''' || || || || Quintessential Chess (J. Knappen, 2002)<ref name="QuintessentialChess" /> || Combines the powers of '''Quintessence''' and '''Rook''' |- | '''Left General''' || || 1X, 1<>, 1= (only right) || FvrW || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Asymmetrical combination of '''Ferocious Leopard''' and right '''Wazir'''. |- | '''Left Quail''' || || n>, nX< (right diagonal), 1X || fRbrBblF || Tori shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Lance''', '''Ferz''' and a backward '''Bishop''' restricted to right side. |- | '''Leo''' || LE || on{{math|✳}}, c^n{{math|✳}}|| mQcpQ || Dawson (<1914), Akenhead's Chess (1947) || Combines the powers of ''Pao'' ('''Cannon''') and '''Vao''' (''Crocodile''). Moves like a '''Queen''' when not capturing, but captures by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on the Leo's destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond the hurdle). Also called ''Lion'' (Caïssa Britannia, F.Duniho, 2003), ''Tank'' (Ch.Gilman, 2003), ''Sorceress'' (Cazaux's variants). |- | '''Leon''' || || ~ 1/3, ~ 3+ || CH = LH || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) || Spanish '''Lion'''. Combination of '''Camel''' and '''Threeleaper'''. |- | ''Leopard (Musketeer)'' || || ~ 1/2, 2X || NB2 || Musketeer Chess (Haddad, 2012) || Moves like a Knight or a Bishop limited to a maximum of 2 squares. |- | '''Liberated Horse''' || || n>, 2< || fRbR2 || Wa shogi || Moves forward as a '''Rook''' or one or two squares orthogonally backward. |- | '''Lion (Congo)''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, c(n{{math|✳}}>) (against enemy Congo lion) || || Congo (1982) || ''King'' that may not leave its 3×3 castle except to capture another ''Lion'' on the same vertical or diagonal line. |- | '''Lion (Fairy)''' || LI || || pQ || Fairy Chess problems || A hopper which moves along the same lines as a '''Queen''' and which can land on a square any distance beyond the hurdle. Also known as ''Queen-line-hopper''. |- | '''Lion (Japanese)''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2{{math|✳}}, ~ (1/2) || KANDcaKmabK || Chu shogi, Dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Move 2 steps or jumps per turn in any adjacent direction. It can capture up to two pieces per turn, capture an adjacent piece without moving (''stationary feeding''), or move and return (effectively passing a turn). |- | '''Lion (Modern)''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2{{math|✳}}, ~ 1/2 || KAND = WFAND || Metamachy, Terachess, Scirocco || A ''KAND Lion'' is moving and capturing anywhere one or two squares around, i.e. one or two squares in any direction or like a Knight. Also known as ''Lioness'' (Scirocco), ''Joker''. |- | '''Lion (Murray)''' || || ~ 2{{math|✳}}, c1{{math|✳}} || ADcK|| Chess variants || Can move and capture as an '''Alfil''' or '''Dabbaba''', and capture only as a '''King'''. This piece stems from a misinterpretation of the Lion of Chu shogi. It is named after the chess historian H.J.R. Murray, 1913 who brought it up. |- | '''Lion Dog''' || || 3{{math|✳}} || Q3 || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || A '''Queen''' that cannot move more than three squares. Can jump and locust-capture in Japanese rule interpretation. |- | '''Llama''' || || o1>, c1X>, io2>, ~ 1/3 || CmfWcfFimfW2 || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Camel''' and '''Pawn'''. Invented by Pierre Monréal and Jean-Pierre Boyer (1965). Also spelled Lama by problemists. |- | '''Loco''' || LO || cnX, o^nX|| cBmpB || Fairy Chess problems (M. Rittirsch, 2016) || Argentinian Bishop, captures as a Bishop and needs a hurdle to move without capturing, compare '''Faro'''<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''Locust''' || L || c^n{{math|✳}}, on{{math|✳}}|| mQ[cl]Q || Fairy Chess problems || Moves as a Queen but must hop over an adverse piece to the square next beyond that piece to capture that piece in the move. |- | '''{{vanchor|M}}''' |- | ''Machine''|| || ~ 1−2+ = 1+, ~ 2+ || WD || Terachess, Zanzibar Chess || Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Dabbaba'''. See '''War Machine'''. |- | ''Mage (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || '''Queen''' (on middle board), '''Wazir''' (on upper or lower boards). 3D movement: can move or capture one or two cells above or below it. |- | '''Maharaja''' || || n{{math|✳}}, ~ 1/2 || QN || Maharajah and the Sepoys || A royal '''Amazon''', the only piece for White side. |- | '''Mammoth''' || || cn+ || cR || Fairy Chess problems (J. de A. Almay, 1940) || Captures like a Rook but never moves from his position unless to capture. |- | ''Mammoth (Winther)'' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2{{math|✳}} || KAD = WFAD || [https://mats-winther.github.io/bg/mastodon.htm Mastodon Chess] and [https://mats-winther.github.io/bg/mammoth.htm Mammoth Chess] (M. Winther, 2006) || Combination of '''Mann''' (non-royal King), '''Alfil''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Also known as '''Pasha''' (Paulovits), ''Mastodon'' or ''Squire'' (Renn Chess). |- | '''{{vanchor|Mann}}''' || EK || 1{{math|✳}} || WF = K || Courier Chess (12th century), Courier-Spiel (1820) || Moves as '''King''' but is not royal. From German ''Mann'' or ''Ratgeber''. Also called ''Sage'', ''Fool'', ''Commoner'', ''Guard'', ''Erlking'', ''Common King''<ref>{{cite video game |title=5D Chess with Multiverse Time Travel |developer=Thunkspace |date=2020-07-22 |scene=Guide |quote="The common king moves like a king, except that it is not royalty. It is not significant that a common king is attacked or captured."}}</ref> or spelled as ''Man''.<ref name="the guard in chess">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess960-chess-variants/a-critical-analysis-of-the-guard-in-chess |title="A Critical Analysis of the Guard in Chess" |access-date=2017-01-21 |archive-date=2017-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004450/https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess960-chess-variants/a-critical-analysis-of-the-guard-in-chess |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | '''{{vanchor|Manticore}}''' || || 1+.nX || t[WB] || [https://www.chessvariants.com/page/MSmanticore Modern chess variants] (Betza, Gilman, Cazaux, King, Muller) || Moves as a Wazir and continues as a bishop outwards. Also called ''Aanca'' (R. Betza), ''Acromantula'' (H. G. Muller), ''Anchorite'' (C. Gilman), ''Rhinoceros'' (Cazaux), ''Spider'' (A. King), or ''Unicorn''. Compare with '''Gryphon''' and '''Duke'''.<ref name="manticore">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/page/MSmanticore |title="Piecoclopedia: Manticore" |access-date=2021-04-04 |archive-date=2021-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605122116/https://www.chessvariants.com/page/MSmanticore |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | '''Mao''' || MA || 1/2 || nN || Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Akenhead's Chess (1947). || Chinese ''Horse''. Moves like a '''Knight''' except that it does not leap. It steps one square orthogonally in any direction, then continues one square diagonally in the same general direction. The square stepped to orthogonally must be vacant. |- | '''Marquis''' || || 1+,~ 1/2 || WN || Scirocco (A.King), Opulent Chess (G.Strong), Obento Chess (E.Silverman)|| Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Knight'''. Also called ''Emperor'' (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants). |- | '''Marshal''' || EM || n+, ~ 1/2 || RN || Grand Chess (Freeling) || Also spelled ''Marshall'', or called '''Chancellor''' or '''Empress'''. |- | ''Mastodon'' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2{{math|✳}} || KAD = WFAD || [https://mats-winther.github.io/bg/mastodon.htm Mastodon Chess] and [https://mats-winther.github.io/bg/mammoth.htm Mammoth Chess] (M. Winther, 2006) || Combination of '''Mann''' (non-royal King), '''Alfil''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Also known as '''Pasha'''(Paulovits), ''Mammoth'' or ''Squire'' (Renn Chess). |- | '''Megasaur''' || || cn{{math|✳}}, c~ 1/2 || cQcN || Fairy Chess problems, Megasaur Chess (Parton's ''Enduring Spirit of Dasapada'') || Combine the '''Dinosaur''' and the '''Hipposaur''', i.e. captures like an '''Amazon''' but never moves from his position unless to capture. |- | ''Mehari'' || CR || n(1/3) (in same direction) || CC = LL || Fairy Chess problems || A rider which moves any number the Camel's moves in the same direction. Also known as '''Camelrider''', ''Mehari'' was the name given by problemist (A mehari is a mounted dromedary). |- | '''Metropolitan''' || || nX, 1X.n+ || Bt[FR] || Conclave Ecumenical chess || Combination of '''Gryphon''' and '''Bishop'''. |- | '''Minister'''<ref name="complementary-part-1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/ideas/complementarity-part-i |title=J. Good, Complementary Part 1 |access-date=2021-02-26 |archive-date=2021-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128114911/https://www.chessvariants.com/ideas/complementarity-part-i |url-status=live }}</ref> || || 1+,~ 2+, ~ 1/2 || WDN || Two large Shatranj variants (J. Joyce 2005) || Combines the powers of '''Wazir''', '''Dabbaba''', and '''Knight'''. |- | ''Minister (Shatranj)'' || FE || 1X || F = (1,1) || Chaturanga, Shatranj, Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405) || See '''Ferz'''. Also known as ''Counsellor''. |- | ''Minister (G.Vicente Maura)'' || PR || nX, ~ 1/2 || BN || Modern chess (Vicente Maura)|| Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Knight'''. Also called '''Princess''' or '''Archbishop'''. |- | ''Missionary'' || || nX, 1+ || BW || Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014), Very Heavy Chess (Cazaux, 2020) || Combination of '''Bishop''' and '''Wazir'''. Also known as '''Dragon Horse''' in Shogi, or ''Crowned Bishop''. |- | '''Moa''' || MO || 1/2 || nN || Chinese || Similar to '''Mao''', but the first step is diagonal and the second orthogonal, not the other way round. |- | '''Monkey (Congo)''' || || o1{{math|✳}}, cn(^2{{math|✳}}) || || Congo (1982) || ''Checker King'' allowed to play orthogonally too. |- |'''Mounted King''' | |1{{math|✳}}, ~ 1/2 | |''The Ouroboros King'' |Moves like '''Centaur''', but it's a royal piece. |- | '''{{vanchor|N}}''' |- | '''N2R4''' || || 2(~ 1/2), 1−4+ || N2R4 || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || |- | '''Nao''' || NA || c^n(~1/2), on(~1/2) (in same direction)|| mNNcpNN || Chinese || A Chinese '''Nightrider'''. Moves as a Nightrider when not capturing, captures by leaping over a piece and capturing the piece on its destination. |- | '''Newt'''<ref name="simple-chess-variants">{{Cite web |url=http://mayhematics.com/v/simplevariants.pdf |title=J.P. Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants |access-date=2021-02-24 |archive-date=2020-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926203813/https://www.mayhematics.com/v/simplevariants.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>|| || ~2X, ~3+ || AH || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Alfil''' and '''Threeleaper'''. A simple amphibian. |- | '''{{vanchor|Nightrider}}''' || N || n(1/2) (in same direction) || NN || Wolf Chess (1943),<ref name="WolfChess" /> Edgehog Chess II (John Driver, 1966) & III (P. Aronson),<ref name="EdgehogChess" /> Cavalier Chess (Fergus Duniho, 1998) || A rider which moves any number the Knight's moves in the same direction. A piece in its path of the opposing color could be captured, but the Nightrider could not move any further. Also played in Fairy Chess problems (T.R. Dawson). |- | '''Nightriderhopper''' || NH || ^n(~1/2)|| gNN || Fairy Chess problems<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> || Move to next square beyond any piece in lines of knight moves. Also known as ''Knight-line-hopper'' |- | '''{{vanchor|O}}''' |- | '''Okapi''' || OK || ~ 1/2, ~ 2/3 || NZ = NJ || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Zebra'''. Invented by Pierre Monréal (1965). |- | '''Old Monkey''' || || 1X, 1< || FbW || Maka dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Ferz''' and ''Backslider''. Also known as ''Inverted Silver'' and ''Backward Elephant''. |- | '''Orphan''' || O || || || Fairy Chess problems || Moves like any enemy piece that is attacking it. Compare with '''Friend'''. |- | '''Osprey''' || || 2+.nX || t[DB] || Expanded Chess (D.Zacharias, 2017) || Leaps to the second square on the same rank or file, and then slides outward as a '''Bishop'''. Compare with '''Manticore'''. |- | '''Ostrich''' || || 2X.n+ || t[AR] || Fairy chess || Leaps to the second square diagonally, and then slides outward as a '''Rook'''. Counterpart of the '''Osprey'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|P}}''' |- | ''Paladin (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || '''Centaur''' (on middle board) or '''King''' (on upper or lower boards). 3D movement: Makes knight-like jumps |- | ''Paladin''|| || ~ 1/2, 1{{math|✳}} || KN || Reformed Courier-Spiel (Begnis, 2011)|| Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Mann'''. Better known as '''Centaur'''. |- | ''Paladin'' || PR || nX, ~ 1/2 || BN || Cavalier Chess (Fergus Duniho, 1999),<ref>chessvariants.com</ref>|| Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Knight'''. Better known as '''Princess''' (fairy chess), '''Archbishop''' or ''Cardinal''. Proposed name by several chessvariant fans as it reflects the nature of this piece (Duniho). |- | '''Pancake''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ^n(~1/2)|| pNNK || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || Combination of '''Mann''' and cannon-style '''Nightrider''' |- | ''Pao'' || PA || c^n+, on+|| mRcpR || Akenhead's Chess (1947), Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || Chinese '''Cannon'''. Moves like a '''Rook''' when not capturing, but captures by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on the Pao's destination square. Compare with '''Cannon (Korean)'''. |- | '''Pasha''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2{{math|✳}} || KAD = WFAD || Paulovits's Game (1890), Renniassance Chess (1980), Mastodon Chess (2006) || Combination of non-royal '''King''' or '''Mann''' ('''Wazir'''+'''Ferz''') and '''Alibaba''' ('''Alfil'''+'''Dabbaba'''). Also known as ''Mastodon'', ''Mammoth'', ''Squire'' (Renn Chess). |- | style="background:#ffce9e" | '''{{vanchor|Pawn}}''' || P || o1>, c1X>, io2> || mfWcefFimfnD || '''Orthodox chess''', Chadarangam (Telugu chess) and many other chess variants || Moves one square straight forward (except on its first move, when it may move two squares), but captures one square diagonally forward. Compare with ''Berolina Pawn'' and ''Torpedo Pawn''. |- | '''Pawn (Chinese)''' || CP || 1>; 1>, 1+= (after crossing the river) || fW; fsW (after crossing the river) || Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || Originally ''Zú'' (Black ''Private (Mercenary)'') and ''Bīng'' (Red ''Soldier'') in Chinese. Moves one square orthogonally forward (like Japanese Pawn) before crossing the river, and one square orthogonally forward or sideward (like Korean Pawn) after crossing the river. |- | '''Pawn (Japanese)''' || || 1> || fW || Shōgi, Chu shogi, Tori shogi, Wa shogi, Out-Khmer (Hills' Cambodian chess), Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || Moves one square orthogonally forward. It is the '''Pawn''' from Xiangqi (Chinese chess), before crossing the river and the Pawn in Shōgi (Japanese chess). Also called ''Soldier'', ''Fish'' (Shattrong), ''Sparrow Pawn'' (Wa shogi), or ''Swallow'' (Tori shogi). |- | ''Pawn (Jetan)'' || || 1>=, 1X> || sfK || Dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants, Jetan (Burroughs' Martian chess) || Moves as a '''King''' but without any backwards movement. Also known as '''Evil Wolf''', ''Pikeman'', or ''Drunken Pawn''. |- | '''Pawn (Korean)''' || || 1>= || sfW || Janggi (Korean chess), Xiangqi (Chinese chess) || Moves one square orthogonally forward or sideward. It is the Pawn from Xiangqi (Chinese chess), after crossing the river and the Pawn from Janggi (Korean chess). Also called ''Soldier''. |- | ''Pawn (Shatranj)'' ''Pawn of piece(s)'' | || o1>, c1X> || mfWcfF || Shatranj (Persian and Arabic chess), Chaturanga (medieval Indian chess), Makruk (Thai chess), Shatar (Mongolian chess), Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405), Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries)<ref name="FullTamerlaneChess" />|| ''Baidaq'' (Persian/Arabic Pawn). Orthodox Pawn without double step on first move. It is the same Pawn from Chaturaji (4-player Indian chess), Ouk Chatrang (Cambodian chess), and Senterej (Ethiopian chess). Also called ''Padati'' (pawns or soldiers) in some Indian texts. Tamerlane Chess and Full Tamerlane Chess have Pawns that promotes to a certain ''piece''. Examples: ''Pawn of Dabbabas'', ''Pawn of Elephants'', ''Pawn of Minister (Ferz)'', ''Pawn of Shah (King)'', ''Pawn of Vizir (Wazir)'', ''Pawn of Vanguards (Bishops)'', ''Pawn of Knights'', ''Pawn of Rukhs (Rooks)''. A ''Pawn of Pawn'' promotes to ''Pawn of King''. |- | ''Pawn (Hiashatar)'' || || o1>, c1X>, io3> || mfWcfFimfW3 || Hiashatar (Mongolian decimal chess) || Orthodox '''Pawn''' with a triple step on first move. Mongolian ''Küü''. |- | ''Pawn (Torpedo)'' || || o1>, o2>, c1X> || mfW2cefF || Torpedo Chess,<ref name="Nenad Tomašev, Ulrich Paquet, Demis Hassabis, Vladimir Kramnik 2020">{{cite arXiv|title=Assessing Game Balance with AlphaZero: Exploring Alternative Rule Sets in Chess|year=2020|eprint=2009.04374|last1=Tomašev|first1=Nenad|last2=Paquet|first2=Ulrich|last3=Hassabis|first3=Demis|last4=Kramnik|first4=Vladimir|class=cs.AI}}</ref> Metamachy, Gigachess, Terachess || Moves two square straight forward, but captures one square diagonally forward. Can capture a Torpedo Pawn en passant if the other Torpedo Pawn moves two squares forwards to the immediate square left or right of the Torpedo Pawn. Simply called Pawn in many chess variants. |- | '''Pegasus''' || || || NNgQ || Fairy Chess problems || Combines the powers of the Grasshopper and of the Nightrider.<ref>Giffard, Nicolas; Biénabe, Alain (1993). Le Guide des échecs. Traité complet.</ref> |- | '''Pegasus (Beastmaster)''' || || ~ 1/4 ~ 2/3 || Z(1,4) = J(1,4) || Beastmaster Chess (G. Overby, 2002) || Combination of '''Giraffe''' and '''Zebra''' |- | '''Pegasus (Zacharias)''' || || ~ 1/2.n+ || t[NR] || Tiger Chess (Zacharias) || Moves as a '''Knight''' followed by moving any number of spaces outwards like a '''Rook'''. Compare with '''Gryphon'''. |- | '''Pheasant''' || || ~ 2>, 1X< || fDbF || Tori shogi and other large Shōgi variants || '''Dabbaba/Ferz-Hunter''' (moves forward as '''Dabbaba''', and backward as '''Ferz'''). |- | '''Phoenix''' || || 1+, ~ 2X || WA || Chess with different armies, Chu shogi, Dai shogi, and other Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Alfil'''. Also known as ''Waffle''. |- | ''Popess'' || || nX, ~ 1/2, 1+ || BNW || Pocket Mutation Chess (Nelson, 2003), Teutonic Knight's Chess (Knappen, 2009), K.Pacey (2019), Very Heavy Chess (Cazaux, 2020) || Combination of '''Princess/Archbishop''' and '''Wazir'''. Also known as '''Crown Princess''', ''Freemason'' (Pacey), or ''Supercardinal'' (Nelson). |- | '''{{vanchor|Priest}}''' || || 1X,~ 1/2 || FN || Scirocco (A.King)|| Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Knight'''. Known as ''Prince'' among problemists and named ''Dullahan'' in Fearful Fairies by J. Knappen<ref name="fearful-fairies">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/rules/fearful-fairies |title=J. Knappen, The Fearful Fairies, an experimental army for CwdA |access-date=2021-02-24 |archive-date=2021-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511190417/https://www.chessvariants.com/rules/fearful-fairies |url-status=live }}</ref>- |- | ''Priestess'' || || ~ 1/2, ~ 2X || NA || Short Range Project (Joyce and Bagley-Jones 2006)<ref name="short-range-project">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/ideas/shortrange-project |title=The ShortRange Project |access-date=2021-02-24 |archive-date=2021-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511190417/https://www.chessvariants.com/ideas/shortrange-project |url-status=live }}</ref> || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Alfil'''. Also known as ''Hospitaller'' or '''Kangaroo''' |- | '''Prince''' || || 1{{math|✳}} || WF = K || Tamerlane chess, Chu shogi, large shogis || A non-royal '''King''' or '''Mann''', promoted from a ''Pawn of King''. Originally ''Shâhzâda'' in Persian. Also known as ''Adventice King'' (''Shâh masnû‘a'') when promoting from ''Pawn of Pawns''. Called ''Taishi'', promoted '''Drunk Elephant''' in Chu shogi. |- |'''Prince''' (''The Ouroboros King'') | |1{{math|✳}} |WF = K |''The Ouroboros King'' |'''Mann''' that can make inmortal any royal pieces if they are being 3 or less squares away vertically and horizontally from the Prince. |- | ''Prince (Fairy)'' || || 1X,~ 1/2 || FN || Fairy Chess problems (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants) || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Knight'''. Also known as '''Priest''' (Scirocco) or ''Dullahan'' (Fearful Fairies). |- | '''Prince (Modern)''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, o2> || WFmfW2 || Metamachy|| Moves as a '''Mann''' (non-royal King) or as a '''Pawn''', can be promoted like a Pawn. |- | '''Prince Elephant''' (Betza)|| || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2X || WFA || [https://www.chessvariants.com/d.betza/chessvar/16x16.html Chess on a Really Big Board] || Combines the powers of the '''Mann''' and the '''Alfil'''. '''War Elephant''' as alternative name. |- | '''{{vanchor|Princess}}''' || PR || nX, ~ 1/2 || BN || Kaiserspiel (Peguilhen, 1819), Grand Chess (1984), Tutti-Frutti Chess (Betza & Cohen), Wolf Chess (1943)<ref name="WolfChess" /> || Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Knight'''. Also called '''Archbishop''', ''Cardinal'', ''Janus'', ''Paladin'', or ''Centaur'' (Carrera's Chess, Pietro Carrera, 1617). Called ''Adjutant'' in Kaiserspiel, ''Fox'' in Wolf Chess (Originally ''Fuchs'' in German), and ''Minister'' in Modern Chess (Gabriel Vicente Maura's, 1968). |- | ''Princess (5D)'' || || || || 5D Chess with Multiverse Time Travel (Thunkspace, 2020) || Moves like a '''Queen''' but is restricted to using only a maximum of two of the game's four playable axes, whereas a Queen may use as many of the axes as desired. |- |''Princess'' (CEO) | |2{{math|✳}} | W2F2 = Q2 |''Chess Evolved Online'' (Joseph Lormand) |Moves like a '''Queen''' but is restricted to a maximum of two spaces. |- | '''Pterodactyl'''<ref name="theory-of-moves" />|| || ~3/3, ~5/5, ~0/15 || (3,3)(5,5)(0,15) || Chess mathematics || The simplest triple range amphibian. George Jelliss demonstrated a pterodactyl's knight's tour on a 16×16 board in 1985. |- | '''Pyramid'''|| || || || Fairy Chess problems || Rediscovered by Joseph Boyer (''Les Jeux d'échecs non orthodoxes'', 1951), never moves, cannot be taken. It blocks its square. Compare with '''Dummy''', and '''Zero'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Q}}''' |- | ''Quadrapawn'' || || o1+,c1X || mWcF || ''Jeu de la Guerre'' (Prague, 1770), Centennial Chess (J.W.Brown, 2001) || It moves as a Pawn in all four directions. Optionally, may move two squares forward without capture like a Pawn. Originally called a '''Fusilier''' (1770). Also called ''Steward'', ''Hobbit''. |- |'''Quartermaster''' |K |1{{math|✳}} |K = WF |''The Ouroboros King'' |Moves like a '''King''', promotes to a '''Pawn''' & leaves another '''Pawn''' behind where it was |- | style="background:#ffce9e" | '''{{vanchor|Queen}}''' || Q || n{{math|✳}} || Q = RB || Orthodox chess || Combines the powers of the '''Bishop''' and '''Rook'''. In Pacific Chess (Hawaii, 1971) a piece with Queen-like moves is called the ''Nobleman''. Called ''Honno'' or ''Free King'' in Chu shogi |- | ''Queen of the Night''<ref name="simple-chess-variants" /> || ET || n{{math|✳}}, n~(1/2) (in same direction) || QNN || Twenty-first Century Chess (J. P. Jeliss, 1991) || Combines the powers of the '''Queen''' and '''Nightrider'''. Also known as '''Amazonrider'''. |- | '''Querquisite'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/page/MSpiececlopedia-querquisite |title=Querquisite in the Piecoclopedia |access-date=2021-02-23 |archive-date=2021-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511130920/https://www.chessvariants.com/page/MSpiececlopedia-querquisite |url-status=live }}</ref> || || || || Fairy Chess problems (J. E. H. Creed 1947), Lumberjack Chess (Bruce Zimove 1983), Morph Chess (Karl Scherer 2000), Zelig Chess (Stan Druben 2001) || A piece that changes its move according to the file where it is standing, moves as a Rook from files a and h, as a Knight from files b and g, as a Bishop from files c and f, as a Queen from file d, and as a King from file e. Also known as ''Odysseus'' (H. Schmidt 1988), ''Lumberjack'', or ''Zelig''. |- | '''Quight''' || || on{{math|✳}}, c~ 1/2 || mQcN || Parton's Chess || Moves like a Queen and captures like a Knight. First proposed by V.R. Parton in Chess Curiouser & Curiouser (1961). See also '''Kneen'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Quintessence}}''' || QN || || || Quintessential Chess (J. Knappen, 2002)<ref name="QuintessentialChess">Knappen, Jörg (2002). [http://www.chessvariants.com/large.dir/contest84/quintessential.html "Quintessential Chess"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320054036/http://www.chessvariants.com/large.dir/contest84/quintessential.html |date=2016-03-20 }}, ''CVP''</ref> || A '''Nightrider''' who takes 90-degree turns in a zigzag manner on each step. First described in 2002 by Jörg Knappen. |- | '''{{vanchor|R}}''' |- | '''Raiding Falcon''' || || n<>, 1+, 1X> || vRWfF || Wa shogi || Combination of '''Vertical Mover''' and '''Stone General''' ('''Reverse Chariot''' and '''Flying Cock'''). Occurs in Taikyoku shogi with a different move. |- | ''Raven''<ref name="simple-chess-variants" /> || WA || n+, n(~1/2)|| RNN || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Rook''' and '''Nightrider'''. Also known as '''Waran'''. |- | '''Reaper''' || || n+,1X.n+ || Rt[FR]|| Tripunch Chess (Betza, 2002) || Combination of '''Rook''' and '''Gryphon'''. Compare with '''Harvester'''. |- | '''Reflecting Bishop''' || RB || nX (bounce edges) || B (bounce edges) || Billiards Chess (M. Jacques Berthoumeau, 1950s), Edgehog Chess II (John Driver, 1966) & III (P. Aronson)<ref name="EdgehogChess" /> || '''Bishop''' allowed to "bounce" off any number of edges of the board, similar to a hockey puck or billiard ball. It bounces from the center of each edge square and continues on a diagonal.<ref>Aronson, Peter (2001). [http://www.chessvariants.com/piececlopedia.dir/reflecting-bishop.html "The Piececlopedia: Reflecting Bishop"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614031135/http://www.chessvariants.com/piececlopedia.dir/reflecting-bishop.html |date=2017-06-14 }}. ''CVP''.</ref> |- | ''Revealer (Tamerlane)'' || || ~ 3X || G = (3,3) || Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries)<ref name="FullTamerlaneChess" /> || See '''Tripper'''. Also known as ''Sentinel''. |- | '''Reverse Chariot''' || || n<> || vR || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || '''Rook''' restricted to forward and backward directions. |- | ''Rhinoceros'' || || 1+.nX || t[WB]|| Modern (e.g. Zanzibar Chess, Gigachess, Terachess) || Moves as a Wazir (1-step as a Rook) followed by moving any number of spaces diagonally outwards. Inspired by medieval Unicornio. Now known as '''Manticore'''. |- | '''Rhubarb''' || || n+,1-3X || RF3 || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || '''Rook''' that can also move up to 3 spaces diagonally. |- | '''Right General''' || || 1X, 1<>, 1= (only left) || FvlW || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Asymmetrical combination of '''Ferocious Leopard''' and left '''Wazir'''. |- | '''Right Quail''' || || n>, nX< (left diagonal), 1X< || fRblBbrF || Tori shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Lance''', '''Ferz''' and a backward '''Bishop''' restricted to left side. |- | ''Rion'' || RL || ^n+|| pR || Fairy Chess problems || Fairy chess ''Lion'' confined to horizontal and vertical lines. Used in Janggi (Korean chess) as '''Cannon (Korean)'''. Also called ''Rook-line-hopper'' or ''Rook Lion'' by problemists. |- | '''Roc''' || || ~ 2/2 ~ 1/3 || AC = AL || Beastmaster Chess (G. Overby, 2002) || Combination of '''Alfil''' and '''Camel''' |- | style="background:#ffce9e" | '''{{vanchor|Rook}}''' || R || n+ || R = WW || Chaturanga, Orthodox chess, Shatranj, Xiangqi, Janggi, Shogi, Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi, Tamerlane chess|| Moves any number of free squares orthogonally. Also called ''Gliding Swallow'' in taikyoku shogi and wa shogi, ''Ratha'' (chariot) in chaturanga, ''Rukh'' in shatranj and tamerlane chess, ''Wazirrider'', or ''Castle'' (colloquial). |- | ''Rook (Quang Trung)'' || TR || on+,c^n+ || mR[cl]R || Quang Trung Chess (V. Q. Vo, 1999) || Moves as '''Rook''' but when capturing must move on square away from captured piece in the same direction. It can be described as a ''Marine Rook'' or ''Triton'' (see Compound pieces) |- | ''Rookhopper'' || RH || ^n+|| gR || Fairy Chess problems || ''Grasshopper'' confined to horizontal and vertical lines. Also spelled ''Rook-hopper''. |- | '''Root-25-leaper''' || BU || ~ 5+, ~ 3/4 || (0,5)(3,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Leaper making moves of length <math>\sqrt{25}</math> units (i.e. a (0,5)-leaper or a (3,4)-leaper). Also called ''Fiveleaper''.<ref name="Speckmann2000" /> and ''Bucephalus'' (Fairy Chess problems) |- | '''Root-50-leaper''' || RF || ~ 1/7, ~ 5X || (1,7)(5,5) || Fairy Chess problems || Leaper making moves of length <math>\sqrt{50}</math> units (i.e. a (5,5)-leaper or a (1,7)-leaper). Also spelled ''Root-fifty-leaper''. |- | '''Rose''' || RO || n(1/2) (turn at each jump) || qN || Chess on a Really Big Board || Moves as a '''Nightrider''' except rather than moving in a straight line, it moves in a pseudo-circular shape (e.g. e1-g2-h4-g6-e7-c6-b4-c2-e1). A piece on any of these squares can be captured but prevents the rose from progressing any further. It may return to its starting point if its path is unblocked, effectively passing a turn. |- | '''Roshop''' || || on+, cnX || mRcB || ''Enlarged & Improved Chess'', Parton's Chess || Moves like a Rook and captures like a Bishop. First proposed in Holland (1696) as a ''Guard'', then by V.R. Parton in Chess Curiouser & Curiouser (1961). See also '''Biok'''. |- | '''Rotating Spearman''' || || || || Centennial Chess (J.W.Brown, 2001) || Piece marked with a direction. It slides any number of squares in its direction or in its reverse direction (forward and backward, never sideward). Captures forward only, never backward. In addition, may rotate after a move or rotate without moving. It cannot rotate and then move. |- |'''Royal Guard''' | |cn'''{{math|✳}}''', o1'''{{math|✳}}''' |cQmK |''The Ouroboros King'' |Captures like a Queen & moves like a King/Mann. |- | '''Rutabaga''' || || 1-2+,nX || W2B || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || '''Bishop''' that can also move 2 spaces orthogonally. |- | '''Running Rabbit''' || || n>, 1X, 1< || fRFbW || Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi || Combination of '''Lance''' and '''Old Monkey'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|S}}''' |- | '''Saltador''' || SA || c~1/2, o1/2|| cnNmpN || Fairy Chess problems (M. Rittirsch, 2016) || Argentinian Knight, captures like a '''Knight''' when one of the intermediate squares is unoccupied, and moves without capturing as a Knight when one of the intermediate squares is occupied<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''Scorpion''' || || 1{{Math|✳}}n^{{Math|✳}}|| KgQ || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Mann''' (non-royal King) and '''Grasshopper''' |- | '''Scorpion (Winther)''' || || o1>, c1X>, io2>, o~ 1/2> (wide)|| mfWcefFimfnDmfsN || [https://mats-winther.github.io/bg/scorpion.htm Scorpion Chess] (M. Winther, 2006) || A boosted Pawn which moves and captures as a standard '''Pawn''' or can make a non-capturing Knight jump on 2 position: east-north-east and west-north-west. |- | '''Scout''' || || 1+, ~3+ || WH || Brouhaha (Greg Strong) || Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Threeleaper'''. |- | '''Señora''' || SE || cn{{Math|✳}}, o^n{{Math|✳}}|| cQmpQ || Fairy Chess problems (M. Rittirsch, 2016) || Argentinian Queen, captures like a '''Queen''' but needs a hurdle for non-capturing moves, combination of '''Faro''' and '''Loco'''<ref name="bcps-glossary" /> |- | '''Sergeant''' || || 1{{math|✳}}>, io2> || fKimfnD || Wolf Chess (A. von Wilpert, 1943)<ref name="WolfChess" /> || Extended '''Pawn''', combining the regular Pawn and the '''Berolina Pawn''' that is, it can move to, or capture on, any of the three squares immediately in front. Generally, it cannot make the initial diagonal double-step from Berolina Pawn, only that straight double-step of the regular Pawn. Originally ''Vogt'' (''Sergeant'', ''Inspector'') in German. |- | '''Ship''' {{anchor|ship}} || || 1X.n<> || t[FvR] || Tamerlane II chess<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chessvariants.com/rules/TamerlaneII|title=Tamerlane II|work=chessvariants.com}}</ref> || Moves one square diagonally followed by moving any number of spaces like a rook vertically outwards (moving away from where it started). Also called ''Twin Tower'' by Betza due the pattern of its move. Compare with '''Gryphon''' or ''Eagle''. |- | ''Short Rook'' || || 1-4+ || R4 = W4 || Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) || '''Rook''' limited up to 4 squares. Also spelled ''Short-Rook''. |- | '''Side Mover''' || || n=, 1+ || WsR || Chu shogi, Wa shogi, and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of a '''Rook''' restricted to sideways and '''Wazir'''. Called ''Swallow's Wings'' in Wa shogi. |- | '''Silver General''' || || 1X, 1> || FfW || Shōgi, Indian chess (Biruni, c. 1030), Makruk (Thai chess), Sittuyin (Burmese chess), Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi || Combination of '''Ferz''' and '''Soldier''': moves one square in any direction diagonally or one square straight forward. Also called ''Burmese Elephant'' ''Hsin'' in sittuyin (Burmese chess), ''Elephant'' in some versions of Indian chess, ''Khon'' in makruk (Thai chess), and ''Violent Stag'' in taikyoku shogi and wa shogi. |- | '''Sissa''' || || n+.nX, nX.n+ || || Coherent Chess, Sissa Chess || Moves as a certain number of squares as a '''Rook''' followed by exactly the same number of squares as a Bishop. Or the opposite. The Sissa does not leap. This piece (invented by Carlos Cetina in the 1980s) has been named after the mythical inventor of chess in Persian legends. |- | '''Snake''' || || 1<>.nX || t[vWB] || Modern Variants (Betza, Silverman, Cazaux) || Moves vertically one step and continues as a Bishop outwards. Originally called ''Snaketongue'' by Betza due to the pattern of its move. |- | '''Soaring Eagle''' || || n+, nX<, 1X>, ~ 2X> || RbBfFfA or RbBdhfFfA || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Moves as a '''Rook''', backwards as a '''Bishop''', or as a '''Lion (Japanese)''' up to 2 squares diagonally forward. |- |'''Soldier''' (Chess.com) | |1>, io2> |fWimfnD |Chess.com |Moves & captures directly forward, it may perform the initial double step move option |- | '''Soldier''' (Silberschmidt) || || o1>=, c1X> || mfWmsWcfF || ''Silberschmidt's Game'' (1827), [https://www.chessvariants.com/play/erf/Lias.html Lias' Proposal (c. 1920)], Zanzibar, Bigorra (Cazaux) || Extended '''Pawn''', moves one square orthogonally forward, left or right, and captures diagonally forward. |- | '''Sorcerer'''|| || 1+, ~ 2/3 || WZ || Grand Tamerlane Chess (J.Davis) || Combines the movement of '''Wazir''' and '''Zebra'''.<ref name="More Chess & More Than Chess">{{cite book |last1=Cazaux |first1=J.L. |title=More Chess & More Than Chess |date=2023 |publisher=Pionissimo |isbn=978-1-4477-6560-8 |page=96}}</ref> |- | ''Sorceress'' || LE || on{{math|✳}}, c^{{Math|✳}}|| mQcpQ || Akenhead's Chess (1947), Terachess (Cazaux, 2008) || Moves like a '''Queen''' when not capturing, but captures by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on the Sorceress's destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond the hurdle). Also called ''Star'', or '''Leo''' by problemists. |- | ''Spider (Musketeer)'' || || ~ 1/2, 1-2X, ~ 2+ || NDF2 || Musketeer Chess 5 (Zied Haddad, 2012) || Moves like a Knight or a limited Bishop to 2 squares or a Dabbaba |- | '''Spy''' || || 1+ or <br /> 2>, 2=, 1X> or <br /> 1{{math|✳}} || W = (0,1) or <br /> fsDfF or <br /> WF (=K) || Courier Chess (12th century), Chess Empire (2002), Waterloo (2014), Amsterdam Medieval Chess (2017) || In Courier Chess see ''Fool''. In Chess Empire the spy can move two spaces forwards or sideways, or can move like a knight one forward and then one horizontally or vice versa. In Waterloo and Amsterdam Medieval Chess the spy moves as a non-royal King (see '''Mann'''). |- | ''Squire''|| || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2{{math|✳}} || KAD = WFAD || Fairy Chess Problems, Renn Chess (Greenwood, 1980) || Combination of non-royal '''King''' or '''Mann''' ('''Wazir'''+'''Ferz''') and '''Alibaba''' ('''Alfil'''+'''Dabbaba'''). Also known as ''Mastodon'' and ''Mammoth'' (Winther), ''Squire'' (Renn Chess) and '''Pasha''' (Paulovits). |- | '''{{vanchor|Squirrel}}''' || SQ || ~ 0/2, ~ 1/2, ~ 2/2|| NAD || Fairy Chess problems (N. Kovacs, 1937), Mideast Chess (California, 1971), Pacific Chess (Hawaii, 1971), Renn Chess (1980), Quintessential Chess (J. Knappen, 2002)<ref name="QuintessentialChess" /> || Jumps to any square a distance of 2. Also called ''Castle'' (Mideast chess, Pacific chess, Renn chess), ''Bear'' (Sosnovsky, 1985) or ''Centurion'' (Quintessential Chess). Compare with the historical '''Centurion''' in Arch-Chess. |- | '''Stag''' || || ~ 2/4 || (2,4) || Cazaux's chess || Jumps two squares diagonally followed by two squares orthogonally outwards. Also known as ''Lancer'' or ''Hare'' (original German name ''Hase'') by problemists. |- | ''Steward'' || || o1+,c1X || mWcF || ''Jeu de la Guerre'' (Prague, 1770), Centennial Chess (J.W.Brown, 2001) || A ''Quadra-Pawn''. It moves as a Pawn in all four directions. Optionally, may moves two squares forward without capture like a Pawn. Originally called a '''Fusilier''' (1770). |- | '''Stone General''' || || 1X> || fF || Dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants, Fox and Geese || Moves one square diagonally forward. Also called ''Goose'' in Fox and Geese. Compare with '''Berolina Pawn'''. |- | '''Superpawn''' || SP || on>, cnX> || mfRcfB || Fairy Chess problems || Moves without capture any number of fields forward, captures diagonally forwards like a '''Bishop'''. Promotes on the 8th rank. May be placed in the first rank. By Werner Speckmann (1967).<ref name="Speckmann2000">Speckmann, Werner (2000). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070224124231/http://www.problemschachbuch.de/Materialien/Maerchenschach.pdf "Märchenfiguren und ihre Grundtypen"] [PDF] (in German). ''Werner Speckmann: elektronische Schachbücher''.</ref> |- | ''Sylph (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D) || See '''Berolina Pawn''' (on upper board). 3D movement: Can capture to the cell below it and return without capturing. |- | '''{{vanchor|T}}''' |- | ''Templar''<ref name="simple-chess-variants" /> || || ~ 2+, ~ 1/2 || ND || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Also known as ''Doughnut'' (Betza), ''Ouroboros'' (Knappen), ''Scribe'' (Joyce and Bagley-Jones) or '''Carpenter''' (Gilman). |- | '''Teutonic Knight''' || || 1+, ~ 1/2, ~ 1/3 || WNC = WNL || Teutonic Knight's Chess (J. Knappen, 2009)<ref name="TeutonicKnightsChess">Knappen, Jörg (2009). [http://www.chessvariants.com/index/msdisplay.php?itemid=MSteutonicknight "Teutonic Knight's Chess"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711084815/https://www.chessvariants.com/invention/teutonic-knights-chess |date=2021-07-11 }}. ''CVP''.</ref> || Combination of '''Knight''', '''Wazir''' and '''Camel'''. Originally ''Ordensritter'' in German. |- | ''Thief (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || See '''Bishop''' (bound to middle board). No 3D movement. |- | ''Titan'' || || ~ 1/3,~ 2/3,~ 0/3,~ 3/3 || CZGH = LJGH || Fantasy Grand Chess: Giants<ref name="fantasy-grand" /> || Leaper combining Camel, Zebra, Threeleaper and Tripper. Called '''Cheetah''' in modern chessvariants played with AI AI. (http://mrraow.com/index.php/aiai-home/aiai/) |- | '''{{vanchor|Threeleaper}}''' || || ~ 3+ || H = (0,3) || Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries)<ref name="FullTamerlaneChess" /> || Jumps three squares orthogonally, leaping over any intermediate piece. Also called ''Trébuchet''. Known as 'dromedary' (original German ''Dromedar'') by German problemists.<ref name="dieschwalbe" /> Possibly the ''Lion'' in Full Tamerlane Chess. |- | '''Threerider''' || || n(3+) || HH || Fairy Chess problems || |- | '''Tiger''' || || ~ 2/3.nX || t[ZB]=t[JB] || Tiger Chess (Zacharias) || Moves as a '''Zebra''' followed by moving any number of spaces diagonally outwards like a '''Bishop'''. |- | '''Toad'''<ref name="simple-chess-variants" />|| || ~2+, ~3+ || DH || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Dabbaba''' and '''Threeleaper'''. A simple amphibian. |- | '''Treacherous Fox''' || || ~ 1-2{{math|✴}}<> || FfbWAfbD || Wa shogi || '''Ferocious Leopard''' that can move forward or backward as '''Alibaba'''. Occurs in Taikyoku shogi with a different move. |- | '''{{vanchor|Tripper}}''' || ||~ 3X || G = (3,3) || || Jumps three squares diagonally, leaping over any intermediate piece. Known as ''Gecko'' by German chess problemists.<ref name="dieschwalbe" /> |- | '''Troll''' || || o1>, c1X>,~ 0/3,~ 3/3 || mfWcfFGH || Modern Variants (Cazaux) || ''Amphibian'' piece combining Threeleaper, Tripper with the simple moves of the Pawn (no e.p., no double step) in order to be able to reach all squares of the board. Used in modern chessvariants played with AI AI.<ref name="AI AI"/> |- | ''Twin Tower'' || || 1X.n<> || t[FvR] || Tamerlane II chess || Moves one square diagonally followed by moving any number of spaces like a rook vertically outwards (moving away from where it started). Also called '''Ship'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|U}}''' |- | '''Ubi-Ubi''' || || n(1/2) (any direction) || NN (any direction) || Ubi-Ubi Chess (Versmissen, Borst & Bodlaender, 1998) || A '''Nightrider''' without direction restrictions. |- | '''Unicorn''' (Raumschach) || || || || Raumschach (1907) || A space diagonal rider: moves through the vertices of the cubes (see diagram at Fairy chess piece#Higher dimensions). |- | ''Unicorn'' (Unicorn Chess) || || nX,~n(1/2) || BNN || Unicorn Chess (D. Paulowich 2000) || Combines the powers of '''Bishop''' and '''Nightrider''', see '''Banshee''' |- | ''Unicorn'' (Triangular Chess) || || 2<>.1=,2=.1<> || || Triangular chess || Moves 2 steps as a rook and then one step as a rook in an orthogonal direction. |- | ''Unicorn'' (Dragon Chess) || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || See '''Knight''' (bound to middle board). No 3D movement. |- | ''Unicorn'' (Grant Acedrex) || || ~o1/2.nX || BimN || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283, interpreted by H.J.R. Murray, 1913) || '''Bishop''' with a first movement of a '''Knight''' that cannot capture. For Cazaux interpretation, see '''Unicornio''' |- | ''Unicorn'' (Musketeer) || || ~1/2, ~1/3 || NC = NL || Musketeer Chess (Zied Haddad, 2012) || See '''Gnu''' or ''Wildebeest''. |- | ''Unicorn'' (''5D'') || || || || ''5D Chess with Multiverse Time Travel'' (Thunkspace, 2020) || Analogue of '''Bishop''' in higher dimensions, and generalization of '''Unicorn''' (Raumschach). 3D diagonal movement: Any moves must incorporate three of the game's four axes equally, resulting in either diagonal spatial dimension movements paired with orthogonal temporal and timeline movements, or vice versa. Compare with '''Dragon''' (''5D''). |- | '''Unicornio''' (Grant Acedrex) || || ~ 1/2.nX|| t[NB] (or t[NfB]) || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) || Moves as a '''Knight''' followed by moving any number of spaces diagonally outwards (most probably, or forwards?). Originally ''Unicornio'' in ancient Spanish, obviously designating a Rhinoceros. For Murray's interpretation, see ''Unicorn''. |- | '''{{vanchor|V}}''' |- | '''Vanguard''' || || nX (except 1X) || B (except F) || Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405) || '''Bishop''' that cannot move as a '''Ferz''' (adjacent diagonal squares must be free and skipped). Originally known as ''Talî'a'' in Persian. Also known as ''Scout''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Vao}}''' || VA || cnX, o^nX|| mBcpB || Akenhead's Chess (1947) || Moves like a '''Bishop''' when not capturing, but captures by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on the vao's destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond the hurdle). Also called ''Crocodile'' (Zanzibar Chess, Gigachess, Terachess). |- | '''Vertical Mover''' || || n<>, 1+ || WfbR || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Reverse Chariot''' and '''Wazir''' (or '''Drunk Elephant'''). |- | '''Violent Bear''' || || 1=, 2X> || sWnfB2 || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Moves 1 square sideways or 1 or 2 squares diagonally forward. |- | '''Violent Ox''' || || 2+ || R2 || Dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || A '''Rook''' restricted to a distance of two squares. See War Machine. |- | '''Vivi''' || || 1<>.nX> || t[vWfB] || Modern Variants (Betza) || Moves vertically forward or backward one step and continues as a Bishop forwards. So called for the pattern of its move. |- | '''Vouivre''' || || ~0/2, ~2/2, ~1/2, ~1/3 || DNAC = DNAL || Beautiful Beasts (Knappen 2021)<ref name="beautiful-beasts">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/rules/beautiful-beasts |title=J. Knappen, Beautiful Beasts |access-date=2022-01-02 |archive-date=2021-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511190417/https://www.chessvariants.com/rules/beautiful-beasts |url-status=live }}</ref> || Combination piece of '''Carpenter''' and '''Roc''', or alternatively, of '''Squirrel''' and '''Camel''', or '''Gnu''' and '''Alibaba''' |- | '''{{vanchor|W}}''' |- | ''Waffle'' || || 1+, ~ 2X || WA || Chess with different armies, Chu shogi, and other Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Alfil'''. Known as '''Phoenix''' in large shogis and as ''Caliph'' (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants). |- | '''Wallaby''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, 2{{math|✳}} (over friendly pieces)|| KgQ2 (over friendly pieces), KcjQ2 || Edgehog Chess III (P. Aronson)<ref name="EdgehogChess" /> || Combination of omni-directional '''Checker''' and '''Grasshopper''' restricted to 2 squares over friendly pieces. |- | '''{{vanchor|Waran}}''' || WA || n+, n(~1/2)|| RNN || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Rook''' and '''Nightrider'''. Also spelled '''Varan'''. Also known as ''Raven''. |- | '''{{vanchor|War Machine}}''' || || ~ 1−2+ = 1+, ~ 2+ || WD || Chess with different armies, Terachess, Zanzibar Chess || Combination of '''Wazir''' and '''Dabbaba'''. Also called ''Wazaba'', ''Woody Rook'' (Betza, 1979) or simply ''Machine''. |- | ''Warrior (Dragonchess)'' || || || || Dragonchess (3D, 1985) || See ''Pawn (Shatranj)'' (bound to middle board). No 3D movement. |- | '''Warrior''' || || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 2+ || WFD || Reformed Courier chess || Combines the powers of the '''Mann''' and the '''Dabbaba'''. Alternative name for '''Champion''' which is more associated to another piece (Wazir-Alfil-Dabbaba).<ref name="More Chess & More Than Chess"/> |- | '''{{vanchor|Wazir}}''' || WE || 1+ || W = (0,1) || Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries), Courier chess, Renn Chess (1980)|| Moves one square orthogonally in any direction. Persian ''Vizir''. Also known as ''Angry Boar'' (Dai shogi), ''Crocodile'' (Tamerlane Chess, originally ''Luxm'', "sea monster" in Persian) or ''Fool'', ''Jester'' (German: ''Schleich'' for Courier chess), ''Fox'' (Renn Chess). |- | '''Whale''' || || n<>, nX< || vRbB || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Hunter''' and '''Reverse Chariot'''. |- | '''White Horse''' || || n<>, nX> || vRfB || Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants || Combination of '''Falcon''' and '''Reverse Chariot'''. |- | ''Wildebeest'' || GN || ~ 1/2, ~ 1/3 || NC = NL || Wildebeest Chess (R.W. Schmittberger, 1987) || Combination of '''Knight''' and '''Camel''', see '''Gnu'''. |- | '''Wildeguard'''|| || 1{{math|✳}}, ~ 1/2, ~ 1/3 || KCZ = WFCZ = KLZ || Obento Chess (E.Silverman) || Combines the movement of '''Mann''', '''Knight''' and '''Camel'''.<ref name="More Chess & More Than Chess"/> |- | '''Withdrawer''' || || || mQ[cw]Q || Ultima || Also known as ''Retreater'' |- | '''{{vanchor|Wizard}}'''|| || 1X, ~ 1/3 || FC = FL || Omega Chess || Combines the movement of '''Ferz''' and '''Camel'''. |- | '''Wood General''' || || 2X> || fB2 || Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants || '''Flying Dragon''' restricted to forward moves. |- | ''Woody Rook'' || || ~ 1−2+ = 1+, ~ 2+ || WD || Chess with different armies (Betza, 1979) || See '''War Machine'''. |- | '''Wyvern''' || || ~ 3X ~ 2/4 ~ 1/5 || G(2,4)(1,5) = (3,3)(2,4)(1,5) || Beastmaster Chess (G. Overby, 2002) || Combination of '''Tripper''', '''Stag''', and '''Ibis'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|X, Y, Z}}''' |- | '''Yaksha''' || || 3=, 1X>, 1+< || fFbWsW3 ||Taikyoku shogi || Move as forward '''Ferz''', backward '''Wazir''', and up to 3 squares horizontally |- | '''Zabel Pawn'''<ref name="dieschwalbe" /> || || o1>, c1X>, final o2> || mfWcfF final mfW2 || Fairy Chess problems || Moves and captures like a chess pawn, but instead of an initial double step it has a final double step move from the 6th to the 8th rank. Named after the cycling sprinter Erik Zabel |- | ''Zaraffa'' || Z || ~ 2/3 || Z = J = (2,3) || Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) || Old historic piece. Jumps one square orthogonally followed by two squares diagonally outwards. Also called '''Zebra''' by problemists. |- | '''{{vanchor|Zebra}}''' || Z || ~ 2/3 || Z = J = (2,3) || Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries),<ref name="FullTamerlaneChess">Cazaux, Jean-Louis (2012). [http://history.chess.free.fr/tamerlane-full.htm "Full Tamerlane Chess"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620010539/http://history.chess.free.fr/tamerlane-full.htm |date=2014-06-20 }}. ''History of Chess: chesspage of JL Cazaux''.</ref> Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283), Ciccolini's Chess (1820), Mideast Chess (1971)|| Old historic piece. Jumps one square orthogonally followed by two squares diagonally outwards. Also called ''Zaraffa'' (Grant Acedrex), ''Elephant'' (Ciccolini's Chess), ''Courtier'' (Mideast Chess). |- | '''Zebrarider''' || ZR || n(2/3) (in same direction) || ZZ = JJ || Fairy Chess problems || A rider which moves any number of (3,2) cells (i.e., Zebra moves) in the same direction in a straight line. |- | '''Zebu''' || ZE ||~ 1/3, ~ 1/4 || C(1,4) = L(1,4) || Fairy Chess problems || Combination of '''Camel''' and '''Giraffe'''. |- | '''{{vanchor|Zero}}''' || || ~ 0/0 || (0,0) || Fairy Chess problems || A (0,0) leaper. Jumps and lands on the square where it stands. It allows to pass a turn. It can be captured. Invented by A.S.M. Dickins<ref name="guide-to-fairy-chess" /> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
'''Bibliography''' * {{Cite book|last1=Cazaux|first1=Jean-Louis|title=A World of Chess, Its Development and Variations through Centuries and Civilizations|last2=Knowlton|first2=Rick|publisher=McFarland|year=2017|isbn=978-0-7864-9427-9}} * {{cite book |last1=Cazaux |first1=Jean-Louis |title=More Chess & More Than Chess |date=2023 |publisher=Pionissimo |isbn=978-1-4477-6560-8}} *<!-- GFC/GTFC -->{{cite book |last=Dickins |first=Anthony S. M. |year=1969 |orig-year=1967 |title=A Guide to Fairy Chess |edition=1971 Dover repub. of 2nd |location=Richmond, England; New York |publisher=Q Press; Dover |isbn=0-486-22687-5}} *{{cite book |last1=Fabel |first1=Karl |author-link=Karl Fabel |last2=Kemp |first2=Charles E. | year=1969 |others=Arnfried Haupt (cover design) |title=Schach ohne Grenzen (T.R. Dawsons Märchenschach) = Chess Unlimited (T.R. Dawson's Fairy Chess) |language=de, en |location=Düsseldorf & Kempten/Allgäu, Germany |publisher=Walter Rau Verlag |oclc=601619310 |asin=B0000BQXG3 |asin-tld=de }} *{{Cite book|title=Le Guide des échecs. Traité complet|last1=Giffard|first1=Nicolas|publisher=Robert Laffont - Bouquins|year=1993|isbn=9782221059135|location=Paris|pages=1173–1219|last2=Biénabe|first2=Alain}} *{{cite book |last=Murray |first=Harold J. R. |author-link=H. J. R. Murray |year=1913 |title=A History of Chess |location=Oxford |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-827403-2 <!-- 0-19-827403-3 -->}} [https://archive.org/details/AHistoryOfChessHJRMurray Link]. *{{cite book |last=Parlett |first=David |author-link=David Parlett |year=1999 |title=The Oxford History of Board Games |url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordhistoryofb0000parl |url-access=registration |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-212998-8}} *<!-- ECV -->{{cite book |last=Pritchard |first=David B. |author-link=David Pritchard (chess player) |year=1994 |title=The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants |location=Godalming, England |publisher=Games & Puzzles Publications |pages=132–33 |isbn=0-9524142-0-1}} *<!-- ECV2/CECV -->{{cite book |last=Pritchard |first=David B. |author-link=David Pritchard (chess player) |editor-last=Beasley |editor-first=John D. |title=The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants |url=http://jsbeasley.co.uk/encyc.htm |edition=2nd |location=Harpenden, England |publisher=John Beasley |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-9555168-0-1}} *{{cite book |last=Schmittberger |first=R. Wayne |year=1992 |title=New Rules for Classic Games |url=https://archive.org/details/newrulesforclass00rway |url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=John Wiley |isbn=0-471-53621-0}}
'''Web pages'''<!-- variable dates --> *{{cite web |last=Bagley-Jones |first=Christine |year=2012 |title=Fairy Pieces Part 1 |url=https://www.chessvariants.com/ideas/fairy-pieces-part-1 |website=CVP |access-date=2021-03-16}} 154 pieces from old Shogi variants. *{{cite web |last=Betza |first=Ralph |author-link=Ralph Betza |year=1996–2000 |title=My Funny Notation |url=http://www.chessvariants.org/d.betza/chessvar/pieces/notation.html |website=CVP |access-date=2006-05-13}} *<!-- CVP -->{{cite web |year=1995 |title=Index page of the CVP |url=http://www.chessvariants.org/Gindex.html |editor-last=Bodlaender |editor-first=Hans L. |editor-link=Hans L. Bodlaender |editor2-last=Howe |editor2-first=David |editor3-last=Duniho |editor3-first=Fergus |website=The Chess Variant Pages}}. §§: <!-- CVP-P -->[http://www.chessvariants.com/index/mainquery.php?type=Piececlopedia&orderby=LinkText&displayauthor=1&displayinventor=1&usethisheading=Piececlopedia "Piececlopedia"] & [http://www.chessvariants.com/index/mainquery.php?type=Piece&orderby=LinkText&displayauthor=1&displayinventor=1&usethisheading=Articles+On+Pieces "Articles on Pieces"]. *{{cite web |last=Cazaux |first=Jean-Louis |year=2000–2014 |title=History of Chess |url=http://history.chess.free.fr/history.htm |website=History of Chess: chesspage of JL Cazaux}} Also: [http://history.chess.free.fr/chessvariants.htm "My Chess Variants"]. *{{cite web |last=Derzhanski |first=Ivan A. |year=2001 |title=Who is Who on Eight by Eight |url=http://www.chessvariants.org/piececlopedia.dir/whos-who-on-8x8.html |website=CVP}} *{{cite web |last=Howe |first=David |year=2011 |title=The Concise Guide to Chess Variants |url=http://www.chessvariants.com/dictionary/cv-guide.html |website=CVP}} *<!-- AKM/ATKM -->{{cite web |last=Jelliss |first=George P. |year=2002–2012 |title=A Guide to Variant Chess |url=http://www.mayhematics.com/v/v.htm |website=Mayhematics |publisher=British Chess Variants Society |at=§ [http://www.mayhematics.com/v/gm.htm "All the King's Men"] |access-date=2010-07-20}} §§: <!-- VCG -->[http://www.mayhematics.com/v/gg.htm "Variant Chess Games"]; [http://www.mayhematics.com/v/gvc.htm "Introducing Variant Chess"] & [http://www.mayhematics.com/v/simplevariants.pdf "Simple Chess Variants"] [PDF] (2010) *<!-- KTN -->{{cite web |last=Jelliss |first=George P. |year=2000–2016 |title=Knight's Tour Notes |url=http://www.mayhematics.com/t/t.htm |website=Mayhematics |at=§ [http://www.mayhematics.com/v/gm.htm "All the King's Men"]}} §§: [http://www.mayhematics.com/t/2a.htm "Geometry: Theory of Moves"]; "History" & "Other Pieces". *{{cite web |last=Poisson |first=Christian |year=2003–2011 |title=Catégories de pièces – Types of pieces |url=http://christian.poisson.free.fr/problemesis/categories.html |website=Problemesis |language=fr, en |access-date=2008-04-18}} *{{cite web |last=Poisson |first=Christian |year=2002–2006 |title=Pièces féeriques – Fairy pieces |url=http://christian.poisson.free.fr/problemesis/pieces.html |website=Problemesis |language=fr, en |access-date=2008-04-18}}
==External links== * [http://www.chessvariants.org/index/mainquery.php?type=Piececlopedia&orderby=LinkText&displayauthor=1&displayinventor=1&usethisheading=Piececlopedia Piececlopedia] An extensive list of fairy chess pieces, their history and movement diagrams *[http://www.chessvariants.org/piececlopedia.dir/whos-who-on-8x8.html Who is Who on Eight by Eight] Compiled by Ivan A Derzhanski, also shows piece values *[http://www.chessvariants.com/unequal.dir/genericchesssystem.html Generic Chess Piece Creation System] Easy ways to estimate piece values *[http://www.mayhematics.com/v/gm.htm A Guide to Variant Chess: All the King's Men]
{{Chess piece}} {{Chess variants}}
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