Today's chess exists because of adjustments made to the rules of an earlier version of the game. For example, the queen was once able to move only a single square diagonally, and the piece was referred to as a ferz. Today, this piece still starts next to the king, but has gained new movement abilities and become today's queen. Thus, the ferz is now considered a non-standard chess piece. Chess enthusiasts still often create their own variations of the rules and the way the pieces move. Pieces which move differently from today's standard rules are called "variant" or "fairy" chess pieces.[2]
The names of fairy pieces are not standardised, and most do not have standard symbols associated with them. Most are typically represented in diagrams by rotated versions of the icons for normal pieces. This article uses common names for the pieces described whenever possible, but these names sometimes differ between circles associated with chess problems and circles associated with chess variants.
Many of the simplest fairy chess pieces do not appear in the orthodox game, but they usually fall into one of three classes.[3] There are also compound pieces that combine the movement powers of two or more different pieces.
Moves by a leaper may be described using the distance to their landing square – the number of squares orthogonally in one direction and the number of squares orthogonally at right angles. For instance, the orthodox knight is described as a (1,2)-leaper or a (2,1)-leaper.[4] The table to the right shows common (but by no means standard) names for the leapers reaching up to 3 squares, together with the letter used to represent them in Betza notation, a common notation for describing fairy pieces.
Although moves to adjacent squares are not strictly "leaps" by the normal use of the word, they are included for generality. Leapers that move only to adjacent squares are sometimes called step movers in the context of shogi variants.[5]
In shatranj, a Persian forerunner to chess, the predecessors of the bishop and queen were leapers: the alfil is a (2,2)-leaper (moving two squares diagonally in any direction), and the ferz a (1,1)-leaper (moving one square diagonally in any direction).[6] The wazir is a (1,0)-leaper (an "orthogonal" one-square leaper). The dabbaba is a (2,0)-leaper. The 'level-3' leapers are the threeleaper (0,3), camel (1,3), zebra (2,3), and tripper (3,3). The giraffe, stag, and antelope are level-4 leapers (1,4), (2,4), and (3,4). Many of these basic leapers appear in Tamerlane chess.
Riders can create both pins and skewers. One popular fairy chess rider is the nightrider, which can make an unlimited number of knight moves in any direction (like other riders, it cannot change direction partway through its move). The names of riders are often obtained by taking the name of its base leaper and adding the suffix "rider". For example, the zebrarider is a (2,3)-rider. A nightrider can be blocked only on a square one of its component knight moves falls on: if a nightrider starts on a1, it can be blocked on b3 or c2, but not on a2, b2, or b1. It can only travel from a1 to c5 if the intervening square b3 is unoccupied.
Some generalised riders do not follow a straight path. The gryphon from the historical game of Grant Acedrex is such a "bent rider": it takes its first step like a ferz and continues outward from that destination like a rook. The unicorn, from the same game, takes its first step like a knight and continues outward from that destination like a bishop. The rose from Chess on a Really Big Board traces out a regular octagonal path of knight moves: from e1, it can go to g2, h4, g6, e7, c6, b4, c2, and back to e1. The crooked bishop or boyscout follows a zigzag: starting from f1, its path could take it to e2, f3, e4, f5, e6, f7, and e8 (or g2, f3, g4, f5, g6, f7, and g8).
There are no hoppers in Western chess. In xiangqi (Chinese chess), the cannon captures as a hopper along rook lines (when not capturing, it is a (1,0)-rider which cannot jump, the same as a rook); in janggi (Korean chess), the cannon is a hopper along rook lines when moving or capturing. The grasshopper moves along the same lines as a queen, hopping over another piece and landing on the square immediately beyond it. Yang Qi includes the diagonal counterpart of the cannon, the vao, which moves as a bishop and captures as a hopper along bishop lines.
Compound pieces combine the powers of two or more pieces. The queen may be considered the compound of a rook and a bishop. The king of standard chess combines the ferz and wazir (ignoring restrictions on check and checkmate). The alibaba combines the dabbaba and alfil, while the squirrel can move to any square 2 units away (combining the knight and alibaba). The phoenix combines the wazir and alfil, while the kirin combines the ferz and dabbaba: both appear in chu shogi, an old Japanese chess variant that is still sometimes played today.
When one of the combined pieces is a knight, the compound may be called a knighted piece. The princess, empress, and amazon are three popular compound pieces, combining the powers of minor orthodox chess pieces. They are the knighted bishop, knighted rook, and knighted queen respectively. When one of the combined pieces is a king, the compound may be called a crowned piece. The crowned knight combines the knight with the king's moves. The dragon king of shogi is a crowned rook (rook + king), while the dragon horse is a crowned bishop (bishop + king). The knighted compounds show that a compound piece may not fall into any of the three basic categories from above: a princess slides for its bishop moves (and can be blocked by obstacles in those directions), but leaps for its knight moves (and cannot be blocked in those directions). (The names princess and empress are common in the problemist tradition: in chess variants involving these pieces they are often called by other names, such as archbishop and chancellor in Capablanca chess, or cardinal and marshal in Grand Chess, respectively.) Combinations of known pieces with the falcon from falcon chess are named winged pieces, in Complete Permutation Chess not only winged knight, bishop, rook, and queen are featured, but also winged marshal, winged cardinal, and winged amazon.[9]
Marine pieces are compound pieces consisting of a rider or leaper (for ordinary moves) and a locust (for captures) in the same directions. Marine pieces have names alluding to the sea and its myths, e.g., nereide (marine bishop), triton (marine rook), mermaid (marine queen), and poseidon (marine king). Examples named for non-mythical sea creatures include the seahorse (marine knight), dolphin (marine nightrider), anemone (marine guard or mann), and prawn (marine pawn).
In addition to combining the powers of pieces, pieces can also be modified by restricting them in certain ways: for example, their power might only be used for moving, only for capturing, only forwards, only backwards, only sideways, only on their first move, only on a specific square, only against a specific piece, and so on. The horse in xiangqi (Chinese chess) is a knight that cannot leap: it can be blocked on the square orthogonally adjacent to it. The stone general from dai shogi is a ferz that can only move forwards (and therefore is trapped when it reaches the end of the board).
Such restrictions may themselves be combined. The gold general from shogi (Japanese chess) is the combination of a wazir and a forward-only ferz; the silver general from shogi is the combination of a ferz and a forward-only wazir. The pawn has the power of a wazir, but only forward and for movement; the power of a ferz, but only forward and for capturing; the power of a rook with a limited range of 2 squares, but only forward and on its first move; the power of promotion to a more powerful piece, but only on its last rank; and the power to capture an enemy pawn en passant, but only immediately after it has moved two squares past it on an adjacent file. A piece that moves and captures differently, like the pawn, is called divergent.[10]
There are some powerful notation systems, described below, that can more succinctly represent arbitrary combinations of the basic restrictions of basic pieces.
All of the above pieces move once per turn and capture by replacement (i.e., moving to their victim's square and replacing it). A shooting piece (as in Rifle Chess) does not capture by replacement (it stays in place when making a capture). Such a shooting capture is termed igui 居喰い "stationary feeding" in the old Japanese variants where it is common. Baroque chess has many examples of pieces that do not capture by replacement, such as the withdrawer, a piece which captures an adjacent piece by moving directly away from it.
Some classes of pieces come from a certain game, and will have common characteristics. Examples are the pieces from xiangqi, a Chinese game similar to chess. The most common are the leo, pao and vao (derived from the Chinese cannon) and the mao (derived from the horse). Those derived from the cannon are distinguished by moving as a hopper when capturing, but otherwise moving as a rider.
Pieces from xiangqi are usually circular disks, labeled or engraved with a Chinese character identifying the piece. Pieces from shogi (Japanese chess) are usually wedge-shaped chips, with kanji characters identifying the piece.
Fairy pieces vary in the way they move, but some may also have other special characteristics or powers. The joker (in one of its definitions) mimics the last move made by the opponent. So for example, if White moves a bishop, Black can follow by moving the joker as a bishop.
Pieces, when moving, can also create effects (temporary or permanent) on themselves or on other pieces. In knight relay chess, a knight grants any friendly piece it protects the ability to move like a knight. This ability is temporary and expires when the piece is no longer protected by a knight. In Andernach chess, a piece that moves or captures changes its colour; in volage, a genre of fairy chess problems, a piece changes colour the first time it moves from a light square to a dark square (vice versa), after which its colour is fixed. In Madrasi chess, two pieces of the same kind but different colour attacking each other temporarily paralyse each other: neither may move until the mutual attack is broken by an outside piece. The basilisk from Ralph Betza's Nemoroth inflicts a permanent form of this paralysis (but paralysed pieces may be pushed by the go away, another piece in the game, so they are only prevented from moving of their own accord); the ghast from the same game restricts friendly pieces within two squares of it to moves that take them geometrically further from it, and compels enemy pieces to do so (similar to the compulsion of resolving check in orthodox chess). The immobiliser from Baroque chess immobilises any piece next to it; the fire demon from tenjiku shogi and poison flame from ko shogi capture any enemy pieces that end the turn next to them. The teaching king and Buddhist spirit from maka dai dai shogi are "contagious"; any piece that captures a teaching king or a Buddhist spirit becomes one. (This can be considered as a kind of forced promotion.)
Pieces may promote to other pieces, as the pawn automatically does in orthodox chess on the last rank: the pawn has a choice of what it promotes to. In xiangqi, pawns automatically promote as soon as they cross the river in the middle of the board, but this promotion is fixed and only gives them the power to move sideways as well as forward. In shogi, the pawn is not the only piece that can promote; promotion can occur if a move takes place partly or wholly in the last three ranks from the player's viewpoint, and is optional unless the piece could not move further, but a piece's promotion is fixed. In dai dai shogi, promotion (again fixed depending on the piece) happens when a piece that can promote makes a capture, and may not be refused.
Pieces may also have restrictions on where they can go. In xiangqi, the general and advisors may not leave their palaces (a 3×3 section of the board for each player). The topology of the board can also be changed, and some pieces may respect it while others ignore it. In Tamerlane chess, only a king, prince, or adventitious king may enter the opponent's citadel, and only the adventitious king may enter its own citadel. In cylindrical chess, the left and right edges are joined to each other so a rook can continue to the right from h1 and end up on a1. It would be possible to have both cylindrical pieces and normal pieces on the same board.
Pieces may also have restriction on how they can be captured. An iron piece may not be captured at all.[12] There are other possibilities, like a piece that can be captured by some pieces but not others, which is common in ko shogi (e.g. a shield unit is invulnerable to bows and guns). In Ralph Betza's Jupiter army, the Jovian bishop is a Nemesis ferz: it cannot capture, it cannot increase its distance from the enemy king, and it may not be captured (except possibly by the enemy king itself; Betza vacillated on this point).[13]
Such special characteristics of pieces are normally not included in the notations describing the movement of fairy pieces, and are usually explained separately.
Some three-dimensional chess variants also exist, such as Raumschach, along with pieces that take advantage of the extra dimension on the board.
The format (not including grouping) is: <conditions> <move type> <distance> <direction> <other>
Ralph Betza created a classification scheme for fairy chess pieces (including standard chess pieces) in terms of the moves of basic pieces with modifiers.[15]
Capital letters stand for basic leap movements, ranging from single-square orthogonal moves to 3×3 diagonal leaps: Wazir, Ferz, Dabbaba, KNight, Alfil, THreeleaper, Camel, Zebra, and G (3,3)-leaper. C and Z are equivalent to obsolete letters L (Long Knight) and J (Jump) which are no longer commonly used. Longer leaps are specified here by a vector, such as (1,4) for the giraffe.
A leaper is converted into a rider by doubling its letter. For example, WW describes a rook, FF describes a bishop, and NN describes a nightrider. The second letter can instead be a number, which is a limitation on how many times the leap motion can be repeated; for example, W4 describes a rook limited to 4 spaces of movement.
Combining multiple movement letters into a string means the piece can use any of the available options. For example, WF describes a king, capable of moving one space orthogonally or diagonally.
Standard chess pieces except pawns (which are particularly complex) and knights (which are a basic leap movement) have their own letters available; K = WF, Q = WWFF, B = FF, R = WW. R4 and W4 are synonyms.[16]
All mentioned capitals refer to a maximally symmetric set of moves that can be used for both moving and capturing. Lowercase letters in front of the capital letters modify the component, usually restricting the moves to a subset. They can be distinguished in directional, modal and other modifiers. Basic directional modifiers are: forward, backward, right, left. On non-orthogonal moves these indicate pairs of moves, and a second modifier of the perpendicular type is needed to fully specify a single direction. Otherwise, when multiple directions are mentioned, it means that moves in all these directions are possible. The prefix notations sideways and vertical are shorthands for lr and fb, respectively. Modal modifiers are move only, capture only. Other modifiers are jumping (basic distant leap must jump, cannot move without a hurdle), non-jumping like the Chinese elephant, grasshopper (rider that must land immediately after first piece it encounters, instead of on or before it), pao (rider that can only land behind the first piece it encounters, instead of on or before it), o cylindrical (moving off one side of the board wraps to the other), z crooked (moving in a zigzag line like the boyscout), q circular movement (like the rose), and then (for pieces that start moving in one direction and then continue in another, like the gryphon).
In addition, Betza has also suggested adding brackets to his notation: q[WF]q[FW] would be a circular king, which can move from e4 to f5 (first the ferz move) then g5, h4, h3, g2, f2, e3, and back to e4, effectively passing a turn, and could also start from e4 to f4 (first the wazir move) then g5, g6, f7, e7, d6, d5, and back to e4.
Example: The standard chess pawn can be described as mfWcfF (ignoring the initial double move).
There is no standard order of the components and modifiers. Betza often plays with the order to create somehow pronounceable piece names and artistic word play.
Note that this table is a special case of the Cartesian coordinate plane, where the Origin is always the current location of the piece about to move.
Non-final legs of a multi-leg move also have the option to end on an occupied square without disturbing its contents. To indicate this the modifier p is used, and thus has a slightly different meaning than on final legs; the traditional meaning can then be seen as shorthand for paf. To make the a notation more versatile, it can also be used when the moves of the two legs are not exactly congruent: g is an alternative to indicates a non-final leg to an occupied square, but in contrast to p it specifies a 'range toggle', converting a mentioned rider move into the corresponding leaper move (e.g. R ⟷ W) for the next leg, and vice versa (making the traditional g shorthand for gaf). A similar range toggle on reaching an empty square can be indicated by y, to indicate a slider spontaneously turns a corner after starting with a leap. Continuation directions will always be encoded in the 8-fold (K) system, even when the initial leg only had 4-fold symmetry. Mention of an intermediate direction on a 4-fold-symmetrical move would then swap orthogonal moves to the corresponding diagonal moves, (e.g. W ⟷ F) and vice versa. (So mafsW is the xiangqi horse, move to an empty W-square, and continue one F-step at 45 degree, and FyafsF is the gryphon.)
Bex notation also adds many extensions for indicating different modes of capture: where a simple c describes replacement capture as in chess, the notations [ca], [cw], [cl] describe capture by approach, withdrawal, leaping over, etc. [crM] describes rifle capture (i.e. annihilating enemy pieces without moving), and specifies with the atom M it contains what can be captured that way. Bex notation also introduces a way to describe exotic effects as a step in a longer move. E.g. [xo] as final move step indicates returning to the square of origin, [xiK] means immobilize all pieces a K step away from the current square, while [x!iK] would similarly mobilize such neighbors. [xwN] would denote a position swap with a piece an N leap away. None of these things can be specified in the original Betza notation, but the downside is that the notations are completely ad-hoc, and do not follow from an underlying principle.
The British Chess Problem Society (BCPS) provides notations for many fairy chess pieces,[18] extending the standard algebraic notation for chess. The notation consists of one or two capital letters or of one capital letter followed by a digit. It is noteworthy that the notation of the standard Knight is the letter S (from German Springer) and the single letter N denotes the Nightrider. The notation for the Wazir is WE (from German Wesir) while the notation WA denotes the Waran (Rook + Nightrider).
As with piece values in traditional chess, fairy pieces have values assigned for use in scoring & strategising. While a large amount of information can be found concerning the relative value of variant chess pieces, there are few resources where it is in a concise format for more than just a few piece types. One challenge of producing such a summary is that piece values are dependent upon the size of boards they are played on, and the combination of other pieces on the board: even when the same game format is assumed (board size and combination of other pieces), there is often little agreement on the specific value of many other pieces.
On an 8×8 board, the standard chess pieces (pawn, knight, bishop, rook, and queen) are usually given values of 1, 3, 3, 5, and 9 respectively. When the basic pieces wazir (W), ferz (F), and mann (WF = K), are played with a similar mix of pieces, they are typically valued at around 1, 1.5, and 3 points respectively. Three popular compound pieces, the archbishop (BN), chancellor (RN), and amazon (QN) have been estimated to have point values around 8, 8.5, and 12 respectively. The values of other pieces are not well established; compound pieces are sometimes approximated as the sum of their component pieces, or estimated to be slightly higher due to synergistic effects (such as it is for the archbishop and chancellor).[ citation needed ]
Name Notation Parlett Betza Found in Notes
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...
[18] (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...
[18] (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
[18] (4,0)-Zigzag Nightrider S4 Fairy Chess problems Takes Knight steps, in a general (4,0)-Rook direction e.g. b1-c3-b5-c7...
[18] A Aanca 1X.n+ t[FR] Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) A word borrowed in medieval Spanish from Persian/Arabic legendary
anka, 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* QNC = QNL Overkill Ecumenical Chess Combination of
Gnu and
Queen.
Admiral n+, 1X RF 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.
Advisor FE 1X F Xiangqi (Chinese chess)
Ferz that can't 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.
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.
Alibaba ~ 2* AD Fairy Chess problems Combines the powers of
Alfil and
Dabbaba.
Alibabarider n(~2*)in same direction AADD Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Dabbabarider and
Alfilrider. Sometimes named
Dayrider by problemists. Compare
Nightrider.
Amazon AM n*, ~ 1/2 QN Russian chess around 1770,
[23] 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*, 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 1-2X>,1>= fF2fsW Chu shogi, Dai shogi and other large shogi variant Moves forward and sideward as a Wazir and can make up to two Ferz moves forward.
Antelope AN ~ 3/4 (3,4) Fairy Chess problems Jumps three squares diagonally followed by one square orthogonally outwards.
Atlantosaur c1* 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 1* (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.
Archbishop PR nX, ~ 1/2 BN Carrera'chess (1617), Kaiserspiel (Peguilhen, 1819), Bird Chess (1874), Capablanca Chess, Janus Chess, Modern Chess (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 (Maura),
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 Once more, with Deans (C. Gilman, 2009), Teutonic Knight's Chess (J. Knappen, 2009)
[24] Heroine,
Superchancellor (Pocket Mutation Chess),
Octopus (original German term
Krake [25] 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).
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*,c2* WFcAcD Stealth chess
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).
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)
Banshee 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.
[26] Barc ~ 2/1> (wide), ~ 1/2< (narrow) fsNbbN ?
Wide/Narrow-Hunter: moves forward as a
wide Knight, and backward as a
narrow Knight. The name is
Crab spelled backwards.
Basilisk (Dragonchess) o1*>, c1*> 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.
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 or
Anti-Pawn. Compare with
Pawn.
Berolina Plus Pawn o1X>, c1>=, io2X> mfFcsfWimfF2 Berolina Plus chess
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.
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.
[27] Bishopper BH gB Fairy Chess problems
Grasshopper confined to diagonal lines. Also known as
Bishop-hopper.
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 Combination of
Drunk Elephant and
Ferz. 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 Combination of
Ferz and
Drunken backslider, or
Drunk Elephant and
Old Monkey. Moves one square in any direction except orthogonally forward.
Boa zNN Fairy Chess problems
[25] A Nightrider making an obtuse turn after every Knight's move. Discussed as
Crooked Nightrider by Ralph Betza, but not used in a game [1]. 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 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.
Bodygard 2* (
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 Bodygard. Called
Hia in Mongolian.
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.
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)
[28] Caliph (Fairy) [8] 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
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), or
Giraffe in Giraffe Chess.
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.
Cannon PA mRcpR Xiangqi, Shako (Chess) (1990), Metamachy (2012) Compare with
Korean Cannon, Originally
砲 Pào (Black
Catapult) and
炮 Pào (Red
Cannon)
Cannon (Korean) RL 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*, ~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.
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 ~ 1/2, 1* KN Fairy Chess problems, Courier-Spiel (Albers, 1820), 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'chess (1617) 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.
[23] 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.
[29] Champion (Omega) 1+, ~ 2* WAD Omega Chess Combines the powers of the
Wazir and the
Alibaba.
Champion (Begnis) 1*, ~ 2+ WFD Reformed Courier chess Combines the powers of the
Mann and the
Dabbaba.
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.
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), Chess on an Infinite Plane(2017), Etchessera (2017),
[30] 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*< fhNsbK Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) Moves forward as a
Knight, or backwards as a
King. Also known as
Forfnibakking (from Betza notation fhNrlbK)
Charging Rook n>=, 1*< 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 cn(^2X>), o1X> fmFcgA Checkers (Draughts) 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. Also called
Draughts Man.
Checker King cn(^2X), o1X mFcgA Checkers (Draughts) Promoted
Checker that can move diagonally backward. Also called
Draughts King.
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*, 3X> fbRKfB3 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 representing a
Crocodile, moving like the orthodox
Bishop.
Colonel n>, n=, 2/1>, 1* 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 EK 1* WF Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) See
Guard or
Mann Commuter [8] ~4X (4,4) Fairy Chess problems Leaps four steps diagonally (Jelliss, Simple Chess Variants).
Congo Pawn 1*>, 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*>=, 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*>, 1< fFfbW 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 1*>, io2> mfKcfFimfW2 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*, n>; n=; n< (see notes) Congo (1982) It's a
Mann (anywhere), a file-restricted
Rook towards the river (outside the river), or a rank-restricted Rook (inside the river)
Crocodile (Medieval) B nX B Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) See
Cockatrice. Predecessor of the Bishop.
Crocodile (Modern) VA 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). See
Vao.
Crowned Bishop nX, 1+ BW Shōgi, Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014) Combination of
Bishop and
Wazir. Also known as
Dragon Horse in Shogi.
Crowned Rook n+, 1X RF Shōgi, The Duke of Rutland's Chess (J. Manners, 1747),
[31] [23] Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014) Combination of
Rook and
Ferz. Also known as
Dragon King in Shogi.
Crown Princess nX, ~ 1/2, 1+ BNW Teutonic Knight's Chess (J. Knappen, 2009)
[24] Also known as
Supercardinal (Pocket Mutation Chess). Combination of
Princess/Archbishop and
Wazir. Originally
Kronprinzessin in German.
D 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
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.
Debtor vDsN Knavish Chess (Charles Gilman, 2011)
[32] 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.
[29] Dinosaur cn* 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.
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 NmfWcfFimfW2 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) Generalization of a
Bishop to higher dimensions. Quadragonal movement: Any moves must incorporate all of the game's four axes equally, resulting diagonal spacial dimension movements paired with "diagonal" temporal and multiversal movements. Compare with
Unicorn (5D).
Dragon Horse nX, 1+ BW Shōgi, Quintessential Chess (Knappen, 2002), Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014) Combination of
Bishop and
Wazir. Also known as
Crowned Bishop or a
Missionary (Kevin Pacey, Cazaux).
Dragon King n+, 1X RF Shōgi, The Duke of Rutland's Chess (J. Manners, 1747),
[31] [23] Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014) Combination of
Rook and
Ferz. Also called
Crowned Rook,
Sailor (Kevin Pacey) or
Admiral (Cazaux 2020).
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).
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
Knight . See
Minister.
Dullahan 1X,~ 1/2 FN Fearful Fairies
[33] 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> msfW cfF 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.
E Eagle nX>, n<, 1*, 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* (edges) Q (edges) Edgehog Chess I (John Driver, 1966) & III (P. Aronson, 2001)
[34] A queen that can move only to or from the edge of the board.
Edgehog (Limited) n* (see notes) Q (see notes) Edgehog Chess II (John Driver, 1966) & III (P. Aronson, 2001)
[34] Moves as a Queen, but if on an edge, must move to non-edge, and if on non-edge must move to edge.
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 (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.
Elephant (Ciccolini) ~ 2/3 Z = J = (2,3) Ciccolini's Chess (1820) Named
Giraffe (Grant Acedrex, 1283) or also
Zebra by problemists.
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 Chess.
Elephant (Musketeer) 1*, ~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 QNN Wolf Chess (1943),
[35] Fairy Chess problems (Jean Oudot, 1975) Combination of Queen and
Nightrider, also called
Amazonrider. Originally
Elefant(en) in German.
Empress EM n+, ~ 1/2 RN Carrera's Chess (Carrera, 1617), Tutti-Frutti Chess (Betza & Cohen), Wolf Chess (1943)
[35] 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),
[31] 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.
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
Jetan Pawn (Jetan),
Pikeman, or
Drunken Pawn.
F FAD 1X, ~ 2* FAD Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) Combines the powers of the
Ferz and the
Alibaba.
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.
Falcon (Falcon Chess) 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's a colorbound piece.
Faro FA cRmpR Fairy Chess problems (M. Rittirsch, 2016) Argentinian Rook, captures as a
Rook but needs to jump over a hurdle for non-capturing moves,
[18] compare
Cannon Ferocious Leopard 1X, 1<> FfbW 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.
Ferz 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 (narrow), 1X fbNF Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) Combination of
narrow Knight and
Ferz Fiveleaper [8] BU ~5+, ~3/4 (0,5)(3,4) Fairy Chess problems Leaper making moves of length 5 units, due to the Theorem of Pythagoras 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
[28] Combination of
Bishop and
Camel 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*) in same direction,1* KAADD = WFAADD Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) Combination of
Alibabarider and
Mann.
Flying Ox nX, n<> fbRB Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants Combination of
Bishop and
Reverse Chariot Flying Stag n<>, 1* fbRK Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants Combination of
Reverse Chariot and
Mann 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.
Forequeen n*>=, ~ 1/2<, 1*< 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 King Q n* Q = RB Chu shogi, large shogis Combines the powers of the
Bishop and
Rook. Called
Honno in Chu shogi and other large shogis.
Friend F Fairy Chess problems Moves like any friendly piece that is guarding it. Compare with
Orphan.
Frog [8] 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.
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 can't 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 (Ciccolini) nX,n(~ 2+) BDD Ciccolini's Chess (1820) Combine
Bishop and
Dabbabarider, a colorbound piece.
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 (Tamerlane, 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*, o1* ADmK Congo (1982)
Alibaba that moves but does not capture as a
Mann. Compare with
Pasha 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.
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 [18] Go-Between 1<> fbW 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.
Golden Bird fbRlrW2F3 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).
Grasshopper G 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 [25] 1*>, io2*> fWfFifmW2ifmF2 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> fBvRsF2 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 triagonally (
Ferz pattern) below or above.
Gryphon 1X.n+ t[FR] Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283), Metamachy 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.
Guard EK 1* WF (=K) Courier Chess, Chess on an Infinite Plane, 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
[30] When the King moves, the Guard follows the King by moving to its last occupied square. The Guard otherwise cannot move.
H Half-Duck 1X, ~ 2+, ~ 3+ HFD Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) Combination of
Kirin and
Threeleaper.
Harvester nX,1+.nX Bt[WB] Tripunch Chess (Betza, 2002) Combination of
Bishop and
Manticore. Compare with
Reaper.
Hawk ~ 2/2, ~ 3/3, ~ 0/2, ~ 0/3 (2,2)(0,2)(3,3)(0,3) = ADGH Chess on an Infinite Plane, Musketeer Chess
[21] [19] [36] 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* 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 triagonally (
Ferz pattern) below or above.
Heroine n+, ~ 1/2, 1X RNF K. Pacey 2019 Combination of
Empress/Chancellor and
Ferz. Also known as
Archchancellor.
Hia 2* (
Hia power) Q2 (
Hia power) Hiashatar (Mongolian decimal chess) Mongolian
Bodyguard (see).
High Priestess [37] 1X, ~ 2X, ~ 1/2 FAN Two large Shatranj variants (J.Joyce 2005) Combines the powers of
Ferz,
Alfil, and
Knight 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 [38] ~ 1/2, ~ 2X NA Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Knight and
Alfil. Also known as
Kangaroo Howling Dog n>, 1< fRbW Dai dai shogi and other large Shōgi variants Combination of
Lance and
Backslider.
Holy Bishop h nX B = FF Moves any number of squares diagonally as a Bishop but can hop over any pawn. The Holy Bishop piece is hollow underneath and can land on spaces occupied by pawns of either colors. While ontop of a pawn, the pawn cannot be moved. It is unable to capture pawns. If captured while over a pawn, both pieces are lost.
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),
[23] as
Archer. Also known as
Rook/Bishop-Hunter, and
Multi General in Tenjiku shogi and Taikyoku shogi.
Huygens [39] ~ (prime number)+ (0,2), (0,3), (0,5), (0,7), (0,prime number)... Chess on an Infinite Plane
[39] Jumps in a rook's direction any prime number of squares (causing pursuing jumpers to make an inefficient maneuver when chasing it).
I Ibis [8] ~ 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* (Immo1*) 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*> fK Dai shogi, Tenjiku shogi, other Shōgi variants. Moves one square in any direction forward. Also called
Forward King.
J Joker 1*, ~ 2*, ~ 1/2 KAND = WFAND Waterloo Chess, Amsterdam Medieval Chess Identical to the KAND
Lion K Kangaroo ~ 1/2, ~ 2X NA Outback Chess (T. Newton 2002) Combination of
Knight and
Alfil. Also known as
Hospitaller 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.
King K 1* 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 sDffbbN Knavish Chess (Charles Gilman, 2011)
[32] A six-directional piece, moving sidewards as a
Dabbaba and forwards and backwards as a
Knight. Also see
Debtor.
Kneen o~ 1/2, cn* 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.
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.
L Lama o1>, c1X>, io2>, ~ 1/3 CmfWcfFimfW2 Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Camel and
Pawn. Invented by Pierre Monréal and Jean-Pierre Boyer (1965).
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)
[40] Combines the powers of
Quintessence and
Rook Left General 1X, 1<>, 1= (only right) FfbrW 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*, c^& mQcpQ 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
Sorceress.
Leon ~ 1/3, ~ 3+ CH = LH Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) Spanish
Lion. Combination of
Camel and
Threeleaper.
Leopard (Musketeer) ~ 1/2, n2 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*, c(n*) (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*, ~ 2*, ~ (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*, ~ 2*, ~ 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*, c1* 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* 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.
Loco LO cBmpB Fairy Chess problems Fairy Chess problems (M. Rittirsch, 2016) Argentinian Bishop, captures as a Bishop and needs a hurdle to move without capturing, compare
Faro [18] Locust L ^* 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.
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*, ~ 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*, ~ 2* KAD = WFAD Mastodon Chess and Mammoth Chess (M.Winther, 2006) Combination of
Mann (non-royal King),
Alfil and
Dabbaba. Also known as
Pasha(Paulovits),
Mastodon or
Squire (Renn Chess).
Mann EK 1* 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, or spelled as
Man.
[41] Manticore 1+.nX t[WB] Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283) 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.
[42] 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 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*, ~ 2* KAD = WFAD Mastodon Chess and 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*, 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.
Metropolitan nX, 1X.n+ Bt[FR] Conclave Ecumenical chess Combination of
Gryphon and
Bishop.
Minister [37] 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 (Maura) PR nX, ~ 1/2 BN Modern chess (Maura) Combines the powers of
Bishop and
Knight. Also called
Princess or
Archbishop.
Missionary nX, 1+ BW Sac Chess (Pacey, 2014) 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*, cn(^2*) Congo (1982)
Checker King allowed to play orthogonally too.
N N2R4 2(~ 1/2), 1−4+ N2R4 Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979)
Nao NA 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 [38] ~2X, ~3+ AH Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Alfil and
Threeleaper. A simple amphibian.
Nightrider N n(1/2) (in same direction) NN Wolf Chess (1943),
[35] Edgehog Chess II (John Driver, 1966) & III (P. Aronson),
[34] 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 gNN Fairy Chess problems
[18] Move to next square beyond any piece in lines of knight moves. Also known as
Knight-line-hopper 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.
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* 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),
[43] 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 pNNK Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979) Combination of
Mann and cannon-style
Nightrider Pao PA 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*, ~ 2* 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).
Pawn P o1>, c1X>, io2> mfWcefFimfnD Chadarangam (Telugu chess), Orthodox chess 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's 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's the Pawn from Xiangqi (Chinese chess), after crossing the river and the Pawn from Janggi (Korean chess). Also called
Soldier.
Pawn (Shatranj) o1>, c1X> mfWcfF Chaturanga (Indian chess), Makruk (Thai chess), Shatar (Mongolian chess), Shatranj (Persian chess)
Baidaq (Persian Pawn). Orthodox Pawn without double step on first move. It's the same Pawn from Chaturaji (4 player Indian chess), Ouk Chatrang (Cambodian chess), and Senterej (Ethiopian chess). Also called
Padah (pawn or soldier) in chaturanga.
Pawn of piece(s) Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405), Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries)
[44] A
Pawn 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,
[45] 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 Nighrider.
[46] 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.
Priest 1X,~ 1/2 FN Scirocco Combination of
Ferz and
Knight. Known as
Prince among problemists and named
Dullahan in Fearful Fairies by J. Knappen
[33] Prince 1* 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 (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*, o2> WFmfW2 Metamachy Moves as a
Mann (non-royal King) or as a
Pawn, can be promoted like a Pawn.
Princess PR nX, ~ 1/2 BN Kaiserspiel (Peguilhen, 1819), Grand Chess (1984), Tutti-Frutti Chess (Betza & Cohen), Wolf Chess (1943)
[35] 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 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.
Pterodactyl [8] ~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.
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 moves two squares forward without capture like a Pawn. Originally called a
Fusilier (1770). Also called
Steward,
Hobbit.
Queen Q n* 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 [38] ET n*, 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 [47] 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*,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.
Quintessence QN Quintessential Chess (J. Knappen, 2002)
[40] A
Nightrider who takes 90-degree turns in a zigzag manner on each step. First described in 2002 by Jörg Knappen.
R Raiding Falcon n<>, 1+, 1X> fbRWfF Wa shogi Combination of
Vertical Mover and
Stone General (
Reverse Chariot and
Flying Cock). Occurs in Taikyoku shogi with a different move.
Raven [38] WA 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)
[34] 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.
[48] Revealer (Tamerlane) ~ 3X G = (3,3) Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries)
[44] See
Tripper. Also known as
Sentinel.
Reverse Chariot n<> fbR 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)
Right General 1X, 1<>, 1= (only left) FfblW 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 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 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^+ 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 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
units (i.e. a (0,5)-leaper or a (3,4)-leaper). Also called
Fiveleaper.
[49] and
Bucephalus (Fairy Chess problems)
Root-50-leaper RF ~ 1/7, ~ 5X (1,7)(5,5) Fairy Chess problems Leaper making moves of length
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.
Rutabaga 1-2+,nX W2B Chess with different armies (R. Betza, 1979)
Running Rabbit n>, 1X fRFbW Taikyoku shogi, Wa shogi Combination of
Lance and
Old Monkey.
S Saltador SA 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
[18] Scorpion KgQ Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Mann (non-royal King) and
Grasshopper Scorpion (Winther) mfWcefFimfnDmfsN Scorpion Chess (Mats 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.
Señora SE 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 [18] Sergeant 1*>, io2> fKimfW2 Wolf Chess (A. von Wilpert, 1943)
[35] 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.
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.
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 (Silberschmidt) o1>=, c1X> mfWmsWcfF
Silberschmidt's Game (1827) Extended
Pawn, moves one square orthogonally forward, left or right, and captures diagonally forward.
Spider (Musketeer) ~ 1/2, n2, ~ 2+ NDF2 Musketeer Chess 5 (Zied Haddad, 2012) Moves like a Knight or a limited Bishop to 2 squares or a Dabbaba
Sorceress LE on*, c^& 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.
Spy 1+ or
2>, 2=, (1/1)> or
1* W = (0,1) or
fsDfF or
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*, ~ 2* 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).
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)
[40] 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).
[49] Sylph (Dragonchess) Dragonchess (3D) See
Berolina Pawn (on upper board). 3D movement: Can capture to the cell below it and return without capturing.
T Templar [38] ~ 2+, ~ 1/2 ND Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Knight and
Dabbaba. Also known as
Doughnut (Betza) or
Scribe (Joyce and Bagley-Jones)
Teutonic Knight 1+, ~ 1/2, ~ 1/3 WNC = WNL Teutonic Knight's Chess (J. Knappen, 2009)
[24] Combination of
Knight,
Wazir and
Camel. Originally
Ordensritter in German.
Thief (Dragonchess) Dragonchess (3D, 1985) See
Bishop (bound to middle board). No 3D movement.
Threeleaper ~ 3+ H = (0,3) Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries)
[44] Jumps three squares orthogonally, leaping over any intermediate piece. Also called
Trébuchet. 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 [38] ~2+, ~3+ DH Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Dabbaba and
Threeleaper. A simple amphibian.
Treacherous Fox 1X, 1<>, ~ 2*<> FfbWAfbD Wa shogi
Ferocious Leopard that can move forward or backward as
Alibaba. Occurs in Taikyoku shogi with a different move.
Tripper ~ 3X G = (3,3) Jumps three squares diagonally, leaping over any intermediate piece.
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 triagonal rider: moves through the vertices of the cubes (see diagram below).
Unicorn (Unicorn Chess) BNN Unicorn Chess (D. Paulowich 2000) Combines the powers of
Bishop and
Nightrider, see
Banshee Unicorn (Dragon Chess) Dragonchess (3D, 1985) See
Knight (bound to middle board). No 3D movement.
Unicorn (Grant Acedrex) BimN Grant Acedrex (Alfonso X, 1283, interpreted by H.J.R. Murray, 1913)
Bishop with a first movement of a
Knight that can't 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) Generalization of a
Bishop to higher dimensions. Triagonal movement: Any moves must incorporate three of the game's four axes equally, resulting in either diagonal spacial dimension movements paired with orthogonal temporal and multiversal 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.
V Vanguard nX (except 1X) B (except F) Tamerlane Chess (1336–1405)
Bishop that can't move as a
Ferz (adjacent diagonal squares must be free and skipped). Originally known as
Talî'a in Persian. Also known as
Scout.
Vao VA 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.
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 KgQ2 (over friendly pieces), KcjQ2 Edgehog Chess III (P. Aronson)
[34] Combination of omni-directional
Checker and
Grasshopper restricted to 2 squares over friendly pieces.
Waran WA RNN Fairy Chess problems Combination of
Rook and
Nightrider. Also spelled
Varan. Also known as
Raven.
War Machine ~ 1−2+ = 1+, ~ 2+ WD Chess with different armies, Terachess, Zanzibar Chess Combination of
Wazir and
Dabbaba. Also called
Wazaba,
Woody Rock (Betza, 1979) or simply
Machine.
Warrior (Dragonchess) Dragonchess (3D, 1985) See
Pawn (Shatranj) (bound to middle board). No 3D movement.
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< fbRbB Chu shogi and other large Shōgi variants Combination of
Hunter and
Reverse Chariot.
White Horse n<>, nX> fbRfB 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.
Withdrawer [cw]Q Ultima Also known as
Retreater 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.
X, Y, Z Yaksha 3=, 1X>, 1+< fFbWsW3 Taikyoku shogi Move as forward
Ferz, backward
Wazir, and up to 3 squares horizontally
Zabel Pawn [25] 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
Zebra Z ~ 2/3 Z = J = (2,3) Full Tamerlane Chess (al-Âmulî & Arabshâh, 14th–15th centuries),
[44] 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.
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
[29] 
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