L. Legan's
Aviation Chess
featuring the Aviator
In Aviaton Chess "Aviators"
are placed on the b and g files instead of pawns. The Aviator flies on the
diagonals, over any number of men, to an empty square or to an opponent piece,
thus displacing it. The Aviator on the initial position can only be captured by
a pawn. The Aviator resumes its immunity when it returns to its initial
position. In all other respects the variant follows orthodox rules. The Aviator,
thanks to its relative immunity on the "hangar" squares, is initially
worth more than a rook, but in the endgame a rook is generally better.
The
Aviator in its initial position is a good protection for the king as it can only
be captured by a pawn. But it is a problem that the corner square, beside the
castled king, is controlled by an enemy Aviator.
The Aviators are
especially dangerous when they cooperate in an attack on the king. When only one
Aviator remains on each side it is often worthwhile to exchange it for a rook.
But this is seldom a good idea if the opponent is left with the Aviator pair,
which has a strong attacking potential. Unlike the rook, the Aviator cannot,
together with the king, achieve checkmate. The curious balance of the values of
the Aviator and rook is an interesting aspect of this game.
Aviation
Chess was invented by
Reference
The Classified
Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, 2007.
 You can download my free
Aviation Chess program
here (updated
2007-05-15), but you must own the software
Zillions of Games to be able to
run it (I recommend the download version). Don't miss my other
chess variants. |
© M. Winther (May
2007).
