Chess for Deviants
Some still think that chess is a classic that will never change.
Oh, sure. There's a law of life: as soon as something good is invented, there will be perverts who will inevitably tarnish it. I admit, I like this... At least when it comes to chess.
Just take a look at what these... Well, you know, these.
Three-player Chess
You may have seen this demotivator before. But you didn't know that the game depicted actually exists.
The first version of the rules for three-player chess was invented in 1972, and since then many other versions have appeared, with authors trying to balance the game as much as possible.
However, all the rules are very similar to standard chess, pieces move almost like in regular chess, and you can learn to play it in 10 minutes. For more details, see Wikipedia.
Three-player chess is sold in Russia, including online stores. Those interested can easily google them.
Swedish Chess
There is a Swedish family, and then there is this. This game is for four players, which kinda hints at something... Another name for this game is bughouse, which also kinda hints at something.
In the photo, we see a Swedish family of four men playing this version of chess.
The rules are as follows: two pairs play, each on their own board. If one player "captures" a white piece, he gives it to the player playing with white on the other board. And that player, on his turn instead of the usual move, can place a new piece on the board from what his teammate provided. There are some restrictions on what pieces can be placed and where, but overall players are given a lot of freedom.
Moves do not have to be made synchronously. Moreover, it is normal in this game to sit and take your time while your partner gives you the needed piece.
If one of the players is checkmated, both lose. So there is a reason for them to help each other. And, strangely enough, this is quite playable.
Drunken Chess
This game is not for the faint-hearted. Everything is very adult here.
The pieces consist of stacks with drawings of... uh... pieces on them. Whoever takes one must drink its contents. This leads to various steamy situations - something you won't see at any official chess tournament.
However, losing in this is very disappointing. Because it means you got checkmated and didn't get to drink.
And I still don't understand why no one has combined this with three-player chess. The idea, you could say, is begging to be made.
Chapayev
Official sources claim that Chapayev is played with checkers. But we’re not fooled - we have evidence from real Soviet classics.
The cartoon "Well, Just You Wait!" episode 13. Time 5:14. The Wolf shows how to play it properly. The Hare shows him later as well.
Maharaja
There are more perverts than you think. To grasp the true scale of the disaster, peek into Wikipedia and read about unconventional chess. There are several dozen variations described there. Religion prevents me from copy-pasting them here.
However, I will tell you about one, because it is magnificent in its madness. Black starts the game with a full set of pieces, while white starts with one "maharaja" piece, which can move like a knight and a queen. Black is forbidden to promote pawns to other pieces.
The maharaja is a terrible killing force. It can single-handedly clear the board and checkmate the black king. Though actually, black does have a winning strategy, but executing it without mistakes is difficult.
Well, that’s all for today, dear lovers of perversion. What, you ask, why did I call you that? Because you read this article! To the end! So who are you after that?