King with a Shotgun

Here's a weird variant for those who too often get a midgame draw from too few pieces:

Each side starts with two checkers under their king, or at least held by the side. Twice a game, (that's what the checkers count) the king can attack any space that's a rook's move away, but the king doesn't move. He just shoots that first piece on the same rank or file as he's on, whatever direction you shoot.

This makes knights MUCH more useful for giving check...