Mastodon Chess (10x10)
a new big-board chess
Mastodon Chess (10x10)
a new big-board chess
Introduction
The objective in Mastodon Chess is checkmate. The size of the
board is 10x10. Pieces move as in orthodox chess, with the exception of the
additional piece, the Mastodon. It jumps one or two steps
diagonally or orthogonally. Its value is at least a rook. The Mastodon jump
complements the jump move of the Knight. A Mastodon, together with a King, can
give mate to a lonely King. The pawns move as in orthodox chess, inclusive of
the initial double-step and 'en passant'. Castling exists, but the King jumps
three squares instead of two. As usual, the Rook ends up beside the King.
Promotion rules are the same as in orthodox chess (with the addition of the
Mastodon). This variant is an attempt to overcome common problems in big-board
variants, namely that they are sometimes too slow or overly technical.
Always
give your King a protected position, preferably near the corner. If the Kings
are placed on different wings the play is likely to be combative. The Mastodon
equals Rook + two Pawns on a standard 8x8 board, but on this big board it has
the same value as the Rook, perhaps a little more. Rook and Mastodon cooperate
effectively in the attack on the enemy king. 
The Mastodon jumps
one
or two steps diagonally
or orthogonally.
Mastodon Chess is related to
Mammoth Chess and
Mastodon Chess (8x10), which use the same
pieces. The Mastodon piece (also called Mammoth) is not new. In
In
Mastodon Chess, unlike in Grand Chess, the castle move is
retained. This makes the game more strategical. The idea behind this 10x10
variant is to create a calm strategical game where one doesn't immediately fall
prey to some tactical tricks. It is essential to move the pawns on the wings and
try to acquire a long-term initiative. The opportunities are better on the wings
than in the centre. If White wants to try and create a majority in the centre,
to move the bishop pawns (d and g) two steps is probably a good alternative. The
Mastodon is a piece which is easily mastered, very suited for the
congested environment in a game with many pieces and pawns. Although it is
somewhat slow, as soon as it becomes active it is very powerful. It is sometimes
better than the Queen in attacks on the enemy King. King + Mastodon wins against
King + Bishop or Knight, and draws against King + Queen.
On this big
board one would expect that advancing the pawn line and acquiring territory
would not be particularly rewarding while the opponent has enough space for
maneuvering his pieces anyway. But a spatial advantage leads to much better
chances when attacking the enemy king. While the game proceeds many squares in
the vicinity of the king will become weak. In the typical case, the party with
spatial advantage will have escape routes for his king, but the other party
could be in a worse situation, especially if the king is threatened by a
Mastodon.
Alternative variants
In alternative variants the
following pieces are employed: Kwaggas, Guanacos, Donkeys, or Swedish
Cannons (see the downloadable zip-file).
Examples
Despite the powerful long range
Rooks, the party with the Mastodon often has the upper hand. At a first glance
this position looks fine for black, but this example shows how efficient the
Mastodon is when utilizing the fact that the enemy King is unprotected. 1.Mg6
Rj2 2.Nf5 Rxj7 3.Nxg7 Rjxg7 4.Mi8+ Kh10 5.Mh8+ Ki10 6.Rj1 and...
...mate follows on j10.
 You can download my free
Mastodon Chess program
here (updated
2009-04-28), but you must own the software
Zillions of Games to be able to
run it.
Try playing
Mastodon Chess by e-mail, against a human opponent,
here. Don't miss my other
chess variants. |
© M.
Winther 2006
