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This page is written by the game's inventor, Gary Gifford.

Desert Oasis Chess

by Gary K. Gifford Desert Oasis Chess is a variant which evolved from my Desert Pub Chess. Desert Kings were added. This piece, a combination of Desert Wazir and Desert Ferz, was first suggested by Abdul-Rahman Sibahi and later Sam Trenholme agreed that such a piece would be a great addition that would even minimize draws. In addition, Oasis pieces have been added, as well as two Camels [per side]. I could not resist adding Camels to this larger variant, only because they seem to be quite at home in this larger desert region. The Oasis pieces have movement/capture characteristics that are pretty much a reversal of what is seen in their Desert piece counterparts.

Setup

As in the partial image, with the Black setup mirroring White's.  Played on a 12 x 12 board.

Pieces

Pawns – move only one space at a time (as in Desert Pub Chess).  Capture as do western pawns, but no pawn en passant.  PROMOTION: White Pawns promote on Rank 8.  Black Pawns promote on Rank 5.  Thus, when a Pawn has advance 5 spaces it promotes to any non-pawn piece. They cannot move again on the same turn that they promote.  Thus a pawn promoting to a Desert Wazir could not immediately jump.

Desert Wazir  –  As in Desert Pub Chess.  Moves 1 space orthogonally (+) without capturing.  Much like an orthogonal kinged-checker piece would move.  Captures only by jumping over enemy piece(s).  It can make multiple jumps when possible. It cannot jump over friendly pieces or over empty spaces.

Oasis Wazir - Sort of the reverse of a Desert Wazir.  The Oasis Wazir Captures by displacement, moving 1 space orthogonally (+) to capture.  To move [without capturing], the Oasis Wazir must jump like an orthogonal kinged-checker piece - it can jump over friendly and enemy pieces - but NEVER CAPTURES BY JUMPING.  It can make multiple jumps when possible.

Desert Ferz - As in Desert Pub Chess. Moves 1 space diagonally (x) without capturing.  Much like a kinged-checker piece would move.  Captures only by jumping over enemy piece(s).  It can make multiple jumps when possible.  It cannot jump over friendly pieces or over empty spaces.

Oasis Ferz - Sort of the reverse of a Desert Ferz.  The Oasis Ferz Captures by displacement, moving 1 space diagonally (x) to capture.  To move [without capturing] the Oasis Ferz must jump like a kinged-checker piece - it can jump over friendly and enemy pieces (diagonally) - but NEVER CAPTURES BY JUMPING.  It can make multiple jumps when possible.

Knights – As in Western chess.

Camels - As attributed to today's Camel rules.  Can leap 2 spaces orthogonally, followed immediately by 1 diagonal move.  Thus they move like a Knight, but extended 1 space orthogonally.

Princes – Move like Kings in Western chess.  But they are immune from
check.  They can, however, be captured.

Desert Kings - Move and capture like a Desert Wazir and/or Desert Ferz.  They can change diagonal or orthogonal movement while on a jumping spree.  They can be captured.

Oasis Kings - Move and capture like an Oasis Wazir and/or Oasis Ferz.  They can change diagonal or orthogonal movement while on a jumping spree.  They can be captured.

Rules

As with piece movements described above.  Win by capturing all opponent's
pieces and pawns.  Also, see Desert Pub Chess for a movement diagram of Desert pieces.  Oasis pieces behave opposite of desert pieces in regard to movement and capture.

IMPORTANT:
           White Pawns promote on Rank 8.
           Black Pawns promote on Rank 5.

Notes

There was also the idea of having a Desert Knight (or Desert Horse) suggested by Abdul-Rahman Sibahi.  And the idea has much merit.  While thinking of implementing such a creature, I realized that it would need an Oasis Horse - or at least it seemed logical to have such a piece.  And then, same with the Camel.  But with the good bit of jumping, and repeat jumping, capturing jumps and non-capturing jumps - well, the new Desert and Oasis Horse and Camel pieces would make the game a bit difficult... I think.  But, perhaps they can show up in a different game.


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By Gary K. Gifford.
Web page created: 2007-05-18. Web page last updated: 2007-05-18