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This page is written by the game's inventor, M Winther.

External Link: Basilisk Chess

If players have elected to include external pieces (Basilisks), they may either move a piece or pawn, or drop the extra piece from the reserve. The Basilisks may only be dropped on the first rank, on an empty square behind a friendly pawn. The friendly pawn is immediately relocated one square ahead, to a position which must be empty. If these conditions aren't satisfied then the Basilisk cannot be dropped. This is a new and good way of introducing an extra piece.

After having jumped any piece, the Basilisk cannon can slide and capture like a queen. However, if no jump move exists it's allowable to slide like a queen, but without capturing. Enemy pawns, however, can restrict its movement. The Basilisk can only reach the square immediately behind the enemy pawn, regardless of leaping direction. By example, if the black king is checked on the g-file, it can defend itself by moving the pawn forward. While its tactical capacity is truncated the Basilisk can harmonize with the positional qualities of the game. Positioned two or more steps behind a friendly pawn, it can threaten an enemy Basilisk, which cannot threaten back. This is an important positional aspect. Its value is bishop + pawn (preliminary estimate).

You can download a Zillions implementation here.


External Link: http://www.two-paths.com/bg/basiliskchess.htm

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By M Winther.
Web page created: 2008-10-13. Web page last updated: 2008-10-13