(Complete) Variant test- Expandable Classic (DukeOfHelsinki vs Naviary)

This is an idea I thought of- Classical chess with an expandable board.

The black circles are obstacles, they are neutral and can be captured, they go out to infinity.

Anyone interested in testing?

We'd have to disallow the king capturing obstacles, or it could just run forever creating a path.

Also disallow pawns capturing obstacles or they could get to promotion line very easily.

Join

Let's play!

Alright! To make the rules in one place here they are.

All rules are same as in classical, except:

* Normally where you can't move to, the board out to infinity has been replaced with neutral obstacles which can be captured by any piece except a king or pawn.

* Remove draw by 50-move rule.

Win by checkmate. Pawns promote at ranks 1 and 8 (even if they're outside the normal bounds of classical chess, though the only way they could get there is by capturing opponent pieces already outside, not obstacles).

Unrated, no time control (try to play at least one move a day).

Is this alright?

Duke would you like to play white? If so you may start

"Pawns promote at ranks 1 and 8 (even if they're outside the normal bounds of classical chess, though the only way they could get there is by capturing opponent pieces already outside, not obstacles)."

I have a question about this one; so pawns still promote normally, and it does not matter if, for instance, the white f-pawn promotes at f8, even if there is an f9 square available that is not captured by any piece?

You are forced to promote once you reach rank 8.

Certainly. Now it is clear, I would play my first move, preferably as white, 

e4

Interesting. I will be a spectator.

1. e4 ... g5

https://www.chess.com/club/international-club-of-fishes Nice

d4

Very interesting variant.

That is true for the a- and h- pawns. But not for the other pawns. So for the sake of simplicity of rules (and elegance) you might consider to skip this rule of pawns not capturing obstacles.

I'm honestly fine either way. Allowing pawns to capture obstacles would change play by a lot, both sides would get 2 quick promotions right off the start (or maybe 1 side would prioritize the center?), and you'd strategically try to get pawns to the edge where they can start capturing obstacles, it could be very interesting!

What do you think Duke? Do you want to play pawns can capture obstacles?

If so I propose we start over (not bad because there's only been 2 moves)

If your not up for pawns capturing obstacles, I play e6

If you are up for pawns capturing obstacles, make your 1st move again (starting board at top of page)

I'm not up for it yet.

The problem really is, I can just play hx(3, 9) and promote eight moves later. Your counterstrategy, I think, would be doing the same. So soon we would have like, 3 queens each, and why would that be good as we have like 2 knights and 2 bishops...

UNLESS you play Rx(9,8) to prevent me doing that. Then my queen will roam, so it would get too much of an advantage to white.

so as I see that you have played e6.

Qh5

You may be right white could have a huge advantage