Mastodon Chess

invented and implemented 2006 April
by Mats Winther

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Introduction

The objective in Mastodon Chess is checkmate. The name not only reflects on the Mastodon piece (also called Mammoth), but also on the size of the board, which is 10x10. Pieces move as in orthodox chess, with the exception of the additional piece, the Mastodon. It jumps two steps diagonally or orthogonally, or steps one square in all directions. It has the same value as Rook + Pawn. The Mastodon jump complements the jump move of the Knight. A Mastodon, together with a King, can give mate to a lonely King. The pawns move as in orthodox chess, inclusive of the initial double-step and 'en passant'. Castling exists, but the King jumps three squares instead of two. As usual, the Rook ends up beside the King. Promotion rules are the same as in orthodox chess (with the addition of the Mastodon).

Always give your King a protected position, preferably near the corner. If the Kings are placed on different wings the play is likely to be combative. Look for ways to exchange lower valued pieces for larger valued ones. The Mastodon equals Rook + Pawn.

Mastodon Chess was invented and implemented by undersigned, April 2006. It is related to Mammoth Chess, which uses the same pieces. The Mastodon piece is not new. In E. V. Greenwood's Renniassance Chess (not misspelt) from 1980, the piece is named Squire. The earliest known variant that makes use of this piece is Paulovits's Game, c.1890, where it is called Pasha.

In Mastodon Chess, unlike in Grand Chess, the castle move is retained. This makes the game more strategical. The idea behind this 10x10 variant is to create a calm strategical game where one doesn't immediately fall prey to some tactical tricks. It is essential to move the pawns on the wings and try to acquire a long-term initiative. The opportunities are better on the wings than in the centre. If White wants to try and create a majority in the centre, to move the bishop pawns (d and g) two steps is probably a good alternative. The Mastodon is a piece which is easily mastered, very suited for the congested environment in a game with many pieces and pawns. Although it is somewhat slow, as soon as it becomes active it is very powerful. It is sometimes better than the Queen in attacks on the enemy King. King + Mastodon wins against King + Bishop or Knight, and draws against King + Queen.



Variant with Guanacos

The Guanaco, belonging to the Lama family of pieces. They jump orthogonally on every second square, but have only four capture squares. On this big board the Guanaco's value corresponds to a knight (estimate).

The Guanaco jumps continuously two squares orthogonally to empty square (i.e. it slides on the same square colour). It can also step, and capture, one square orthogonally. A peculiarity is that jumps are allowed even if it has a capture possibility on the first square.

Variant with Kwaggas


In an alternative variant the knights are replaced by Kwaggas. The Kwagga moves like a Camelrider, that is, jumps 3+1 and can make continuous jumps in the same direction. However, the Kwagga can only capture on the first jump.



Variant with Donkeys


In an alternative variant Donkeys take the place of the knights. A Donkey moves and captures like a knight but can make an additional jump move in the same direction provided that the destination square and the intermediate square are both empty. Unlike the knight it can compete with a bishop on this big board. The Donkey is an invention by undersigned.



Variant with Swedish Cannons


In an alternative variant Swedish Cannons are added to the first row.


After having jumped any piece, the Swedish cannon can slide and capture like a rook. However, if no jump move exists it's allowable to slide like a rook, but without capturing. The Swedish Cannon has about the same value as a bishop (preliminary estimate).

The Swedish Cannon can take active part early in the game, so one ought to introduce it early. The Cannon can be exchanged for a light piece that has acquired a good position, or it can threaten an enemy rook on an half-open file. The Swedish Cannon is stronger than both its counterparts, the Korean Cannon and Chinese Cannon, making it easier to introduce it in a context of Western pieces. Its movement is similar to the Korean Cannon, but the Korean Cannon is stranded when no jump moves are available. This cannot befall the Swedish Cannon while it is then, and only then, allowed to slide like a rook, but without capture.

Interestingly, if the enemy Cannon has no jumps, then one can sometimes position a piece so as to provide a jumping option, thus preventing the Cannon from using his right to move like a rook. The closest relative of the Swedish Cannon is the Korean Cannon. The Swedish Cannon was invented and implemented by undersigned, April 2007.

To play you must have installed "Zillions of Games". Either double-click on MastodonChess.zrf or
1. Run "Zillions of Games"
2. Choose "Open Game Rules..." from the File menu
3. Select "MastodonChess.zrf" in the Open dialog and click "Open"

MastodonChess.zrf is a rules file used by the Windows program "Zillions of Games". Zillions of Games allows you to play any number of games against the computer or over the Internet. Zillions of Games can be purchased online. For more information please visit the Zillions of Games website www.zillions-of-games.com