Cold War Chess
I do not know what sparked the idea, but I designed this game with the idea of a Cold War inspired chess variant. Cold War Chess is a game for those who are experienced in traditional Chess and can play it well, but want to experience a new challenging way to play chess, although it plays very differently, the game very much helps to make you see connections between your pieces, as even one bad move could mean the end to you. One game of Cold War Chess can take 1–2 hours and can become very fun over time. The players are the West (USA) and the East (Soviet Union). Players take role of these massive empires trying to gain advantage over each other. I recommend listening to some Cold War music while playing, for example like in the game Twilight Struggle.
Setup
The setup is the same as in orthodox Chess.|
satellite=main
files=8
ranks=8
graphicsDir=/graphics.dir/companionPNG/
promoZone=1
maxPromote=0
promoChoice=
symmetry=mirror
squareSize=50
graphicsType=png?nocache=true
theme=OS
borders=0
firstRank=1
useMarkers=1
holdingsType=0
pawn::vmW'fkF'fmnD::a2-h2
morph=!/!/!/!
knight:N:mkN::b1,g1
bishop::mkB::c1,f1
rook::mkR::a1,h1
queen::mkQ::d1
king::KisO2::e1
morph=+
|
|
Pieces
With only a couple of exceptions, pieces move the same as they do in orthodox Chess, although pieces have different names. The black side embodies the Soviet Union, and the white side embodies the United States of America. The knights are now the KGB and the CIA; the Rooks are the Red Army and the USA Army; the Bishops are the Comecon and the Marshal Plan; the Queens are the Warsaw Pact and the NATO; and the pawns are countries of the eastern and the western block.
The pawn has the added ability to step one space backwards without capturing. Any pawn on the first or second rank may make a two-space move.
Rules
Rules are as in orthodox Chess except as described below.
How the game is like the cold war: pieces cannot capture! The only exception is that a king can capture any piece, and any piece can capture a king. Pawns reaching the other side will remain pawns, there is no promotion.
The game is won by capturing the enemy king or by moving your king to the last rank. There is no check, checkmate, or stalemate.
Notes
It is common for players to negotiate and make agreements. A player does not need to follow these agreements, however - he can break his word.
Be aware that this game takes a long time. Sometimes there might be no way to advance, and you need to make an agreement to do it. Be aware, that you might create a Iron Curtain accidentely. Try to avoid it, and gain the upper hand! Good luck commander!
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By Márton Kutasi.
Last revised by H. G. Muller.
Web page created: 2020-10-17. Web page last updated: 2025-04-05