Veles Chess
introducing the Veles piece
The Veles is a
bifurcation piece. It can move in two legs, the
first is an orthogonal slide, and the second is a diagonal deflection-move,
along either of two diagonals in the prolonged movement-direction. Any piece
functions as screen, and the Veles bends around it, as if affected by gravity.
Capture can only occur orthogonally, on the first leg. The Veles's value is 3,
that is, the same as a bishop or knight (preliminary estimate). While the Veles
slides along an orthogonal, several diagonals (in the prolonged movement
direction) could be chosen, provided that there exist screens for deflection.
The Veles can also be deflected by the margin. In this case there is only one
diagonal movement direction available, namely to the corner square. Other rules
are the same as in standard chess, except for the possible promotion to Veles.
The Veles is a highly cooperative piece, something which makes it interesting
for the positional player. Although the Veles is dependent on screens for moving
it is a dynamic piece that puts great demands on the chessplayer. In an
alternative variant, Kwaggas replace the
knights.
The
Velites (sing: Veles) were a type of Roman Gladiator who fought on foot
using a spear called a hasta. They were also armed with a gladius
sword. They had neither body armour, nor helmet or shield.
|
|
|
|
 You
can download my free Veles Chess program
here, 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 (August 2010).
The Veles can move in two legs, the first is an
orthogonal slide and the second is a diagonal deflection-slide. Capture can only
occur on the first leg (red = capture).
The Veles's movement principle. In any of its four
orthogonal movement directions, there could be many screens to choose from. The
screens, that are used for deflection, occur anywhere on the first leg.