Dragonfly (chess variant)
Dragonfly is a chess variant invented by Christian Freeling in 1983. There are no queens, and a captured bishop, knight, or rook becomes the property of the capturer, who may play it as their own on a turn to any open square. The board is 7×7 squares, or alternatively a 61-cell hexagon with two additional pawns per side.
The game is an offshoot and simplification of a Freeling game named Loonybird. Still, "Play is complex and interesting. Draws are rare too."
Game rules
The standard rules of chess apply, including winning by checkmate. But Dragonfly follows these special rules:- A bishop, knight, or rook that is captured enters the capturing player's pieces in hand in their own color. As a move, a player may drop any one of the pieces they have in hand on any open square. Captured pawns do not go in hand and are instead removed from the game.
- Pawns do not have an initial double-step option. A pawn promotes when reaching the furthest to any piece of the player's choosing from those currently held in hand by their opponent. The chosen piece is removed from the opponent's in-hand stock.
- Castling is permitted, and normal castling conventions apply, with the king shifting over two squares in either direction. But castling with a dropped rook is not allowed.