Check out Atomic Chess, our featured variant for November, 2024.

Seirawan Chess

This page contains one or more presets for playing a game online with Game Courier, an online server for playing Chess variants by correspondence.

In Seirawan Chess the rules are the same as in orthodox chess, except that two pieces, the Elephant and the Hawk, are placed in the reserve. The Elephant (Chancellor) combines the powers of a Rook and a Knight. It is comparable in strength to the Queen. The Hawk (Archbishop) combines the powers of a Bishop and a Knight. It is somewhat weaker than a Queen. These pieces are known from Capablanca's Chess.



Whenever a piece leaves its initial square, one of the extra pieces can immediately be introduced to the vacant square. So this is a double move, comparable to castling. Should a player refrain from inserting his extra pieces at these occasions, then he has forfeited his chance of introducing them. When castling, one of the extra pieces can be placed on either of the squares left vacant, namely the corner square, or the e1/e8 square. Pawns can, additionally, promote to Elephant (Chancellor) or Hawk (Archbishop).

The following preset makes a good validity check of Hawk moves, etc. Moves are automated. You can move pieces by clicking on them. At promotion, and when external pieces can be introduced, you will be asked what piece you prefer.

Seirawan Chess (with Hawk and Elephant images)

Seirawan Chess (with traditional compound images: R+N and B+N)

Seirawan Chess (small graphics)

Keep in mind that it's against the rules to introduce an external piece by going back and developing a piece anew, although this preset allows it.



You can also download a Zillions implementation here.

See also www.seirawanchess.com

See also Accessory Chess with Divaricator





This 'user submitted' page is a collaboration between the posting user and the Chess Variant Pages. Registered contributors to the Chess Variant Pages have the ability to post their own works, subject to review and editing by the Chess Variant Pages Editorial Staff.

By M Winther.
Web page created: 2010-11-21. Web page last updated: 2010-11-21