Life is a kind of Chess, with struggle, competition, good and ill events -- Benjamin Franklin
Created: 25 Sep 2007
Updated: 25 Sep 2007
The following description of the game was written by Edward Jackman, with some final editing done by Hans Bodlaender. The description below addresses some ambiguities and typos in the original description of Gygax. After all that, I went through the document with a fine tooth comb, and eliminated the rest of the typos and discrepancies that existed in the document, bringing everything into agreement with the rules as laid out by Gygax. :)
At the start of the game, each player's pieces are positioned as shown below. Each force on the upper board consists of six Sylphs, two Griffons, and one Dragon. On the middle board, each side possesses one King, one Mage, one Paladin, one Cleric, two Heroes, two Unicorns, two Oliphants, and twelve Warriors. Each side's force on the lower board is made up of six Dwarves, two Basilisks, and one Elemental. In all, there are 42 pieces per side, or a total of 84 pieces in the game.
8 - - g - - - r - - - g - 7 s - s - s - s - s - s - 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - Upper Board (3) 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 S - S - S - S - S - S - 1 - - G - - - R - - - G - 8 o u h t c m k p t h u o 7 w w w w w w w w w w w w 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - Middle Board (2) 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 W W W W W W W W W W W W 1 O U H T C M K P T H U O 8 - - b - - - e - - - b - 7 - d - d - d - d - d - d 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - Lower Board (1) 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 - D - D - D - D - D - D 1 - - B - - - E - - - B - a b c d e f g h i j k l
In all other respects, movement and capture notation is essentially the same as for standard chess. See the section on Notation for a full description.
In the diagrams of movement that accompany the description of each piece, "m" designates a square that a piece can move into, if that square is unoccupied (i.e., no capture is permitted); "c" designates a square that can be occupied only if a capture is involved; and "x" designates a square that can be occupied either by a capturing or a non-capturing move.
A designator in brackets [] or braces {} shows the movement of the piece when not on it's starting board (i.e. a Hero on level 1 or 3).
|
1) W2f3 2) S/3e2-3d3 |
A basic non-capturing move; notation 1 is the first non-capturing move that the Gold Warrior starting at 2f2 can make. (Read it as "Warrior moves to 2f3.") In most cases, a non-capturing move can be noted simply by naming the type of piece being moved (W) and the square it moves to (2f3). When more than one piece of the same type is capable of making the same move, the moving piece is specifically identified by naming the square it is moving from, using a "/" to indicate "at." (Read notation 2 as "Sylph at 3e2 moves to 3d3.") In this notation, a hyphen is used to separate the location square from the destination square. |
|
3) W2e3 4) Wx2e3 5) W/2d2x2e3 6) WxU2e3 7) WxU |
Five ways of describing a capture; the correct notation depends upon the position of the pieces and, to some extent, the preference of the players. Notation 3 can be used if only one Warrior is capable of moving to 2e3, and if that move involves a capture. Notation 4 is more specific, using the "x" to indicate a capture. (Read as "Warrior captures (unspecified piece) at 2e3.") Notation 5 is necessary when more than one Warrior would be capable of making a capture at 2e3, again using the "/" (as in notation 2 above) to indicate "at." (Read as "Warrior at 2d2 captures at 2e3.") Notation 6 includes the identification of the type of piece captured -- in this case, the Unicorn located at 2e3. Notation 7, read simply as "Warrior captures Unicorn," can be used if only one such capture is possible. In most cases, the proper notation would be 4, 5, or 6, or a minor variation on one of those. The important thing is to describe each move in such a way that the notation could only refer to one specific move by one specific piece. This will avoid possible confusion if the moves of a game are to be studied or replayed. [Or played via email!] |
| 8) W2f8(H) | The move and promotion of a Warrior. (Read as "Warrior moves to 2f8 and is promoted to a Hero.") |
| 9) Rx2c4 | [Same as notation 4 - I don't see any difference. This is for the Dragon.] |
| 10) UxOch | Illustrating the use of "ch" to indicate a move that puts the opposing King in check. (Read as "Unicorn captures Oliphant with check.") |
|
Other symbols: dbl ch dis ch mate |
These three terms, taken from standard chess notation, indicate certain special occurrences. Double check (dbl ch) occurs whenever a move enables one or more pieces to give check at the same time. Discovered check (dis ch) occurs when the move of one piece opens a path that enables a different piece to give check. And "mate," of course, is checkmate -- noted on the final move of a game, when the King is attacked in such a way that it cannot avoid being captured on the attacker's next move. |
| Piece | Value |
| King | - (infinite) |
| Mage | 11 |
| Paladin | 10 |
| Cleric | 9 |
| Dragon | 8 |
| Griffin | 5 |
| Oliphant | 5 |
| Hero | 4.5 |
| Thief | 4 |
| Elemental | 4 |
| Basilisk | 3 |
| Unicorn | 2.5 |
| Dwarf | 2 |
| Sylph | 1 |
| Warrior | 1 |
Sylph
Moves as a Berolina pawn (converse to that of a regular Chess pawn). When not capturing, it moves one space diagonally towards the opponent's side. It may capture by moving directly ahead one space towards the opponent's side. It may also capture by moving straight down to the middle board.While on the middle board, the Sylph cannot move at all except to make a non-capturing move back to the top board. It may move to the cell directly above it OR any empty one of the six home cells that any friendly Sylph occupied at the start of the game.
Sylphs do NOT promote.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - m c m - - - - - - -
5 - - - S - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - -[m]- - TOP (3)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 [m]-[m]-[m]-[m]-[m]-[m]-
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - c - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - -[S]- - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Griffon
While on the top board, the Griffon makes an unblockable move or capture three squares one direction and then two squares perpendicularly -- for example, a Griffon at 3a1 can move to 3c4 and 3d3.A Griffon may make an unblockable move or capture from the top to the middle board by moving to any of the cells diagonally adjacent to the cell directly below it.
While on the middle board, the Griffon can move or capture one square diagonally, or return to the top board by making a unblockable move or capture to one of the cells diagonally adjacent to the cell above it.
8 - x - - - x - - - - - -
7 x - - - - - x - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - G - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - TOP (3)
3 x - - - - - x - -[x]-[x]
2 - x - - - x - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - -[x]-[x]
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - x - x - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 - - x - x - - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - - - - -[x]-[x]
2 - - - - - - - - - -[G]-
1 - - - - - - - - -[x]-[x]
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Dragon
The Dragon cannot move off the top board. It may move or capture with the power of a chess Bishop or King.Instead of moving, the Dragon has the additional power of 'capturing from afar'. To do this, the Dragon does not move and one enemy piece that is either in the cell directly below the Dragon or orthogonally adjacent to the cell below the Dragon is removed from the board. The Dragon MAY NOT move and capture from afar in the same turn!
8 - - x - - - - - x - - -
7 - - - x - - - x - - - -
6 - - - - x x x - - - - -
5 - - - - x R x - - - - -
4 - - - - x x x - - - - - TOP (3)
3 - - - x - - - x - - - -
2 - - x - - - - - x - - -
1 - x - - - - - - - x - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - a - - - - - -
5 - - - - a a a - - - - -
4 - - - - - a - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Warrior
The Warrior has nearly the same move as the chess Pawn. It may move but not capture one cell forward. It may a capturing move one cell diagonally forward. It does NOT have the option of moving two cells on its first move.On reaching the opponent's baseline, the Warrior promotes to a Hero only.
It is restricted to the middle board.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - c m c - - - - -
4 - - - - - W - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Oliphant
Moves and captures exactly like a Rook in chess. It never leaves the middle board.
8 - - - - - x - - - - - -
7 - - - - - x - - - - - -
6 - - - - - x - - - - - -
5 x x x x x O x x x x x x
4 - - - - - x - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - x - - - - - -
2 - - - - - x - - - - - -
1 - - - - - x - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Unicorn
Moves and captures exactly like a Knight in chess. It never leaves the middle board.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - x - x - - - - -
5 - - - x - - - x - - - -
4 - - - - - U - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - x - - - x - - - -
2 - - - - x - x - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Hero
While on the middle board, the Hero may move or capture one or two cells diagonally, jumping over a piece of either color if necessary. The Hero can also move or capture to the top and bottom boards by making an unblockable move to a cell diagonally adjacent to the cell directly above or below it. While on the top or bottom board, the Hero cannot move except to return to the middle board by making an unblockable move or capture to a cell diagonally adjacent to the cell directly above or below it as the case may be.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - x - x - - - - - -{H}-
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - x - x - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - TOP (3)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 x - - - x - - - -{x}-{x}
7 - x - x - - - - - - - -
6 - - H - - - - - -{x}-{x}
5 - x - x - - - - - - - -
4 x - - - x - - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - - - - -[x]-[x]
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - -[x]-[x]
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - x - x - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - x - x - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - BOTTOM (1)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - -[H]-
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Thief
Moves and captures exactly like a Bishop in chess. It never leaves the middle board.
8 - x - - - - - - - x - -
7 - - x - - - - - x - - -
6 - - - x - - - x - - - -
5 - - - - x - x - - - - -
4 - - - - - T - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - x - x - - - - -
2 - - - x - - - x - - - -
1 - - x - - - - - x - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Cleric
The Cleric moves and captures exactly as a chess King does on whichever board it happens to be on. It may also move or capture to the cell directly above or below it.
8 x x x - - - - - - - - -
7 x C x - - - - - - - - -
6 x x x - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - TOP (3)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - -[x]- - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - x - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - -[x x x]- - - - - -
2 - - -[x[C]x]- - - -{x}-
1 - - -[x x x]- - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - BOTTOM (1)
3 - - - - - - - - -{x x x}
2 - - - -[x]- - - -{x{C}x}
1 - - - - - - - - -{x x x}
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Mage
The Mage moves and captures exactly as a chess Queen while on the middle board and may also move and capture to the cell above and below it.While on the top or bottom board, the Mage may only move or capture one cell forward, backward, right or left. It may also move or capture one or two cells straight up or down. It may NOT leap over a piece on the middle board while going from top to bottom or vice versa.
8 -[x]- - - - - - - - - -
7 [x[M]x]- - - - - - - - -
6 -[x]- - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - x - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - TOP (3)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - -{x}-
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - x - - x - - x - - -
7 -[x]- x - x - x - - - -
6 - - - - x x x - - - - -
5 x x x x x M x x x x x x
4 - - - - x x x - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - x - x - x - - - -
2 - - x - - x - - x -{x}-
1 - x - - - x - - - x - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 -[x]- - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - x - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - BOTTOM (1)
3 - - - - - - - - - -{x}-
2 - - - - - - - - -{x{M}x}
1 - - - - - - - - - -{x}-
a b c d e f g h i j k l
King
While on the middle board, the King has the normal move and capture of a chess King and may also move and capture to the cell above and below it.While on the top or bottom board, the ONLY thing the King may do is move or capture to the cell directly above it or below it back on the middle board. The King is a sitting duck when driven off the middle board.
There is no castling move.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 -[K]- - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - x - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - TOP (3)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 -[x]- - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - x x x - - - - -
5 - - - - x K x - - - - -
4 - - - - x x x - -{x}- - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - x - - -{K}- -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - BOTTOM (1)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Paladin
The Paladin may move and capture as a chess King or Knight while on the middle board. It moves and captures as a chess King while on the top or bottom boards. It may move or capture from board to board by making a 3d Knight's move -- two cells in any direction and then one cell in a perpendicular direction. It's move is unblockable.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 -[x x x]- - - - -{x}- -
6 -[x[P]x]- - - -{x}-{x}-
5 -[x x x]- x - - -{x}- -
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - TOP (3)
3 - - - x - - - x - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - x - - - - - -
8 - -[x]- - - - - -{x}- -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 [x]- - -[x]- -{x}- - -{x}
5 - - - - x - x - - - - -
4 - -[x]x x x x x -{x}- - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - x P x - - - - -
2 - - - x x x x x - - - -
1 - - - - x - x - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - -[x]- - - - -{x x x}-
6 -[x]-[x]- - - -{x{P}x}-
5 - -[x]- - x - -{x x x}-
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - BOTTOM (1)
3 - - - x - - - x - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - x - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Dwarf
While on the bottom or middle board, the Dwarf may move or capture one cell diagonally forward or move without capturing one cell forward or laterally.It may move up to the middle board by capturing to the cell directly above.
It may move back to the bottom board by making a non-capturing move to the cell directly below.
Once it reaches the opponents side, it does NOT promote.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - -[c m c]- MIDDLE (2)
3 - - c - - - - -[m[D]m]-
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 - c m c - - - - - - - - BOTTOM (1)
3 - m D m - - - - -[m]- -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Basilisk
The Basilisk may move or capture one cell directly or diagonally forward and may also move without capturing one cell straight backwards.Though the Basilisk is restricted to the bottom board, it has the power to freeze any opposing piece on the cell directly above it on the middle board. Freezing is automatic whether an opposing piece moves over the Basilisk or the Basilisk moves under the opposing piece. Freezing is temporary -- once the Basilisk moves away or is captured, the frozen piece regains its normal powers.
If the opposing King is the piece being "frozen", the King is checkmated if any other piece attacks it and the opponent is unable to capture the attacking piece or interpose a piece to blunt the attack.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - f - - - - - - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - x x x - - - - -
4 - - - - - B - - - - - - BOTTOM (1)
3 - - - - - m - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
Elemental
While on the lower board, the Elemental may move or capture one or two cells orthogonally. (It may NOT leap over occupied cells.) It may also move but not capture one cell diagonally.It may also make a capturing move to the middle board by moving one cell orthogonally and then one cell up. The intermediate (lower board) cell MUST be empty.
The Elemental may not move while on the middle board except to return to the bottom by moving or capturing one cell down and then one cell orthogonally. The intermediate (lower board) cell MUST be empty.
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 - - c - - - - - - - - -
4 - c - c - - - - -[E]- - MIDDLE (2)
3 - - c - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - - x - - - - - - - - -
5 - m x m - - - - -[x]- -
4 x x E x x - - -[x]-[x]- BOTTOM (1)
3 - m x m - - - - -[x]- -
2 - - x - - - - - - - - -
1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
a b c d e f g h i j k l
I've also created a 'cheat sheet' (abbreviation of all the moves). Enjoy!