Comparison of Dice Chess and Superpermutation d8 Chess
Superpermutation d8 Chess has no relation to Dice Chess or its numerous variants. The only common element between these two games is the use of a die.
The mechanics, strategy, and—if you will—the philosophy of Superpermutation d8 Chess are entirely different.
Role of the Die
In Dice Chess, the die selects which piece must move (e.g., 1=pawn, 6=king). The player must move only that piece.
Randomness: Severely restricts piece selection.
In Superpermutation d8 Chess, the die selects the file (a-h) where any chosen piece must end its move.
Randomness: Allows piece choice but dictates geometry.
Gameplay Dynamics
There is a certain predictability to Dice Chess: players know which pieces are "active."Tactics resemble classical chess.
Weakness: Can feel repetitive (e.g., rolling pawns repeatedly).
Unpredictability in Superpermutation d8 Chess: even routine moves may trigger cascading swaps.
Tactics demand adapting to absurdity (e.g., a pawn suddenly on the 8th rank).
Strength: Each game is unique due to chaotic permutations.
Winning Conditions
Dice Chess:The player wins by capturing the opponent’s king. Concepts of check and checkmate do not exist. The king can be defended by any piece, if the die allows.
King is a standard piece (except castling).
Superpermutation d8 Chess:The concepts of check and checkmate are fully preserved, as in classical chess.
Defending against check disables Superpermutations—players follow classical rules.
King is the sole attacker (only piece that captures) and can teleport.
Contrast
Dice Chess (8x8 board):
A simplified version of classical chess. Adds randomness but does not alter the core gameplay.
Superpermutation d8 Chess deconstructs classical chess:
Pieces lose their "identity" (due to swaps).
Victory requires controlling chaos, not calculating variations.
Conclusion
Dice Chess and Superpermutation d8 Chess are fundamentally different games.
Dice Chess: Chess with limited choices. Randomness simplifies but does not create new logic.
Superpermutation d8 Chess: Chess through a surrealist lens. Randomness doesn’t restrict—it rewrites reality, turning the board into an arena of controlled absurdity.
Final Verdict: Dice Chess is a variation on a theme. Superpermutation d8 Chess is a new language of strategy.
Superpermutation d8 Chess: Official Rules
Core Mechanics
1. The Octahedral Die (1d8):
— Determines the destination file (vertical column) for a moving piece.
— Players interpret the die from their perspective:
White: 1=a, 2=b, ..., 8=h.
Black: 1=h, 2=g, ..., 8=a.
2. Movement Rules:
— Chess pieces move according to the rules of standard chess.
— Choose any piece, but it must end its move on the rolled file.
— Exception: If no legal move exists for the rolled file, make any legal move ("free move").
— King’s Unique Power: Only the king can capture enemy pieces.
— No castling.
3. Superpermutation (Recursive Swaps):
— If a moved piece lands adjacent to another piece on the same file, they must swap places.
— The swap triggers a cascade: The piece continues "climbing" the file until it hits an empty square or the board’s edge.
— Directional Lock:
White’s swaps ascend toward the 8th rank.
Black’s swaps descend toward the 1st rank.
— No Superpermutations during check: Resolve checks via standard moves (block, move king, or capture with king).
4. Teleportation:
— Swap your king with any non-pawn friendly piece (unlimited uses).
— Illegal: Teleporting into check or during check.
5. Pawns:
— No en passant.
— Promote upon reaching the opponent’s back rank (queen/rook/bishop/knight).
6. Victory Condition:
Standard checkmate: Trap the opponent’s king with no legal escapes.