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This game uses the annular ranks and limited files. The pieces cannot step to the X and Y polar squares neither can they pass over these squares (64 squares).
In this version of Ambit Chess, the lower and the upper edge of the chessboard remains on the outer edge of the 1st and 8th annular rank (around squares X and Y), but here the traditional corner squares disappear. The vertical movement of the pieces along the files is restricted as they cannot pass over the X and Y polar squares.
As the pieces move on the files from the central to the polar squares, their power is reduced gradually (similar to classic chess). On the other hand, since there are no edges and corners on the annular ranks, the power of the pieces are greatly enhanced along the ranks and diagonals. The opponent’s pieces can be attacked from the left and right direction around the sphere.
| The Rook |
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Along the files the rook can move between the polar square Ra1 to a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a7, and a8. Along the ranks the rook can either move around the sphere in the direction Ra1, to b1, c1, d1, e1, f1, g1, and h1 or backwards (Ra1 to h1, g1, f1, e1, d1, c1, b1). That is, 7 squares can be attacked from two directions.
In contrast to the classic chessboard, a given square on the Ambit Chess sphere can be reached from two directions. In this case, the rook on a1 can reach the opposite square e1 in two ways, either from the right (Ra1 – b1 – |
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e1) or from the left (Ra1 – h1 – e1). The base ranks, as well as the other ranks behave as endless rings on the sphere.
The path of a rook on the first rank can either be obstructed by the player’s own pieces or his opponent’s pieces, though the rook can move in the opposite direction if the squares are unoccupied. |
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| The Bishop |
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The bishop is confined to squares of a single color for the entire chess game. Compared to the classic game, the power of the bishop is greatly enhanced as here it can pass over the invisible boundary between the “a” and “h” file.
The path of the bishop from c1 to the right leads through the squares: Bc1, d2, e3, f4, g5, h6, a7, b8. This way the bishop doesn’t step on the Y square.
The second possibility is to use the other diagonal (to the left): Bc1, b2, a3, h4, g5, f6, e7, d8. The Y square hasn’t been used.
These two routes meet at g5, where they cross each other at an angle of 90° |
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| Therefore, this square can be reached from two directions. In case one of them is obstructed by the player’s own pieces or his opponent’s pieces, there is still an option to use the other diagonal for attack or defense. |
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| The Queen |
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The queen combines the chess moves of the rook and the bishop on the sphere. From the first rank it exerts its influence over 14 squares (7 in each direction) if it moves like a rook, and 13 additional squares moving like a bishop.
This makes it the most powerful piece on the sphere. The movement of the queen as a bishop and as a rook cannot cross each other in the simple version of the Ambit Chess (e.g. Qd1). |
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| The Knight |
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| The knight on “b1” can reach the following four squares: a3, c3, h2, d2. The knight on the Ambit Chess board has more power when compared to the classic chess version as on the classic board it would not be able to reach h2. The knight can horizontally travel around the sphere in four L–shaped moves, e.g. Nb1 – d2 – f1 – h2 – b1, coming back to its original position. If the knight is positioned on the crossing point of the diagonals used by the queen and the bishop, its movement and attacking potential would be greatly increased compared to its usual power (with protection in two directions). |
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| The King |
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| The king can move one square in any direction, including movement from the “a” to the “h” file (and back), e.g. Ka1 – h1, Kh2 – a3. Along the ranks the king can travel around the Ambit Chess sphere. |
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| Castling |
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| Due to the structure of endless ranks, a new possibility emerges for the king to be protected by the annular protection of the rooks. This is a new way of castling on the Ambit Chess; the rooks protect the king from two directions. On a single annular rank the king is protected by two rooks, each using two directions in their movement. |
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| The pawn |
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| Because the board has no horizontal edges, the pawn can capture from the “a” file to the “h” file and back. If the pawn reaches the last rank, it is promoted to a chosen piece of the same color (except for the king). |
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| Summary |
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Ambit Chess requires a certain amount of practice, greater knowledge and concentration, because the player sees only half of the “board”. This is compensated by the new capabilities of the pieces and new variations of the game. The simple version of Ambit Chess provides means to explore new uncharted territories, to understand them, to solve more demanding problems, and to realize the beauty of the game. |
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