Bob Greenwade wrote on Wed, Nov 15, 2023 02:47 PM UTC:
121. Basilisk (Jesus Lizard). The name Basilisk has appeared for fairy chess pieces before, most notably in Dragon Chess and (unsurprisingly) Basilisk Chess. This version is a rotary counterpart to yesterday's Frog; it steps one space orthogonally, or leaps three diagonally. (WG)
When I created this piece, I'd been unaware of Basilisk Chess, and only knew of various efforts to represent the mythical basilisk's deadly gaze, generally a rifle capture along Queen lines. While such an ability could be added to this one (caibQ), this is intended to represent the real-world animal with the ability to run along the surface of the water. That ability has earned the genus (a group of four species) the nickname of Jesus lizard; the piece may also go by that name, especially in a game where another type of Basilisk also appears, or in any other situation where the change can prevent confusion.
121. Basilisk (Jesus Lizard). The name Basilisk has appeared for fairy chess pieces before, most notably in Dragon Chess and (unsurprisingly) Basilisk Chess. This version is a rotary counterpart to yesterday's Frog; it steps one space orthogonally, or leaps three diagonally. (WG)
When I created this piece, I'd been unaware of Basilisk Chess, and only knew of various efforts to represent the mythical basilisk's deadly gaze, generally a rifle capture along Queen lines. While such an ability could be added to this one (caibQ), this is intended to represent the real-world animal with the ability to run along the surface of the water. That ability has earned the genus (a group of four species) the nickname of Jesus lizard; the piece may also go by that name, especially in a game where another type of Basilisk also appears, or in any other situation where the change can prevent confusion.