Probably the craziest position I've ever seen

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Aron_08

This is a variant where you can't capture pieces, which are defended.

I played some games and got this position, which look absolutely ridiculous.

Would love to get your opinion on the position to see who is better and some ideas what the plans in the position are.

kinneticsand

What is the name of the variant? Seems interesting.

Aron_08

It's commonly known as Islandic chess or Guard chess. I'm little bit sad that it doesn't have that much attention.

kinneticsand

Agreed, it seems like a great variation.

comradM
Aron_08 wrote:

Would love to get your opinion on the position to see who is better and some ideas what the plans in the position are.

I would prefer to play it with Black.

An idea is a check with the Quuen and to capture on a1, i.e

1. Rb4-d4 Qh6-h1
2. Kg1-f2 Qh1x a1
3. Qh7-h1 Qa1-b2
4. c7-c8Q Rg8x c8
5. g5-g6 a2-a1Q

 
chessterd5

Im confused? in the diagragmed position, is it black to move? He is currently in check from the white rook on b4.

comradM

He cannot be captured because he is defended by the Be4, so he is not in check. In this riddle it was not said if White or Black is to move. In both cases I would prefer to play as Black

Aron_08
chessterd5 wrote:

Im confused? in the diagragmed position, is it black to move? He is currently in check from the white rook on b4.

Yes, it is Black to move.

HGMuller

What is the point of a variant where even the weakest player can trivially score a draw? When white opens Nf3, Nc3, b3, Bb2, Rb1, Rg1, and then limits himself to moving his Queen between c1 and d1, there is nothing black can achieve, as all white pieces are protected, and c1 or d1 can never be attacked twice so that you could block the Queen move.

comradM

@Aron_08: Do there exist in this variant real played games that didn't end in a draw?

Even in the above posted position, where Black can win material and promote, I can say only that I would prefer Black, but cannot find a way for him to mate. White has various ways to reach positions where all his pieces are defended, and the question is, if Black can drive him due to his material advantage in such a Zugzwang, that he must leave successive unprotected pieces alone, that Black can capture.

Obviously, this can be answered only with a program, but even if I were such a good programmer like HGM, I would not waste my time to implement a complete variant engine only for a riddle. 
For the start position of this variant, there is no doubt that it is draw, here I am 100% with HGM

Aron_08

I'm sure there exists many games online, but I don't know where. Indeed the beginning position is certainly a draw, as HGMuller mentioned it.

Aron_08
HGMuller wrote:

What is the point of a variant where even the weakest player can trivially score a draw? When white opens Nf3, Nc3, b3, Bb2, Rb1, Rg1, and then limits himself to moving his Queen between c1 and d1, there is nothing black can achieve, as all white pieces are protected, and c1 or d1 can never be attacked twice so that you could block the Queen move.

Yes, you are correct about the fact that both sides can get a fortress, where the other side can't break through. I still find it fun to play games where neither side is quickly trying to make a draw and both sides are trying to play for a win.