You can find the most recent versions of these rules here: http://www.chessvariants.org/index/msdisplay.php?itemid=MSnearchess
The rules below are show to lay out how Near Chess differs from normal chess. In the zrf file are other variants, whose rules are not listed. Consult each game in the zrf to see how exactly they play.
INTRODUCTION
This version of Near Chess attempts to place Near Chess on an 8x9 and an 8x10 board. There are three ZRF Files attach include one for 8x9 that follows normal 8x8 Near Chess rules. There is a second ZRF file that covers an 8x9 board, but enables pawns to also capture the same way they move, capturing an enemy piece in front ofin front of them. This addition to pawns on an 8x9 board was found to increase the effectiveness of Near Chess Pawns on a larger board. Also included is a 8x10 version of Near Chess, which also has an option for the pawns that captures straight in front of it. Also included among these files is normal chess adapted to an 8x9 and an 8x10 board.
SETUP FOR NEAR CHESS
White's back rank is empty and White's chessmen are moved up to the third rank (pawns) and the second rank (non-pawns). Black's chessmen are similarly arrayed, with pawns on the sixth rank and non-pawns on the seventh rank. Pawns do not have a double-step option on their first move.
BASE RULES TO NEAR CHESS
Same as in standard FIDE Chess, except for the set-up and these rules which have been removed or changed:
- Pawns only move one space forward and capture one space diagonally. There is also no En Passant. This is because pawns start forward.
- There is no castling.
- Game is won by capturing the opponent's king, rather than checkmating it. This eliminates stalemate.
- Pieces only promote to those pieces that have been captured, except a pawn. In other words, the player is limited to only one queen, two rooks, two knights, etc... A pawn is not permitted to move into the back row, unless it is able to be promoted to some other pieces, besides another pawn.
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