New Chess Variant... Actually, More Like A Variant Of A Variant

In the "original version" of Chess on an Infinite Plane, a backyard attack is possible due to the basic setup. With the switch King/Queen on the right side, the king can no longer be attacked diagonally from behind. I think the switch should be made for the symmetry on the left side and the game could be more interesting.

Now it's loading.

But now I see another problem. The queens can't go backwards diagonally. I think the solution would be to shift the jager units accordingly, for example, as I suggested in the picture for white.

@McGoohan, I'm glad you're thinking about the starting position because it has a big impact in how the game will be played. But I'm not sure why you feel that there should be open lines to the king, or why the queen should be free to slide backward diagonally.

My preference is for the starting position to slightly favor classical frontal attacks (as in classical chess), and if one side wants to try a flanking attack they must do so even knowing not all lines are open. The queen is already very maneuverable, so giving her more open lines is not necessary in my view.

Also the king already has exposure to attacks from behind (rook, queen, and chancellor), and also from inside the jäger units if a queen wants to go there (yellow and black lines below).

Is there any reason to make the back side even more open? My view is to keep the back side somewhat closed, and each army can then choose a "backyard" strategy if and when they feel the position and material available is enough to try it. Let me know your thoughts.

Like @hitthepin says, I can't wait to start this game too. But I'm OK if we discuss the starting position for a while before the game starts. It's possible this game could last weeks (or even months) so plenty of discussion now is ok for me. But my goal is to get the game started before the Super Bowl.

Btw, since McGoohan is the only non-U.S. player, can we name it in honor of a medieval Swiss battle? How is this?

Infinite Chess - The Battle of Morgarten!

(picture from Wikipedia)

Why Not? Does Anyone Have Any Other Questions?

We should wait until @McGoohan makes a comment about the starting position. I think he wanted it more open from the back, but I'm OK with it. Let's see what he says. Also, we still need to add the blue and red pieces. I can work on it tomorrow morning. If McGoohan is OK with the set-up, then maybe the game can start Sunday (exactly one week before the Super Bowl).

The game title is "Four Player Infinite Chess - The Battle of Morgarten". It's @hitthepin and @McGoohan (White) vs. @LukeHands and @vickalan (Black). Time control is 3 days max per move because messaging is allowed. I also made this graphic - is all this OK?

Yeah.

Oh cool variant! I wish I could play. Would I spoil it if I posted moves for BOTH sides?

I mean not often... just once in a while

Also can you help me? How to follow a post?

You should not really be posting moves for a game that is in progress. It won't feel good if you find a good move and it causes the other side to lose. But you can discuss "old" moves and talk about game theory at this thread. I'll check if there is anyone who might want to play against you (I get messages occasionally).

I started from my 3 experiences with Infinite Chess when we played the variant with the Griffon and Falcon. There it was possible to develop an opening strategy with a rapid backyard attack. With the current starting position I don't see a direct possibility for such an opening.

But that doesn't matter, because the game also offers enough challenges to develop new concepts for the opening. So I agree, we can start the game and "Infinitife Chess - The Battle of Morgarten" is a very funny idea, also because I live only 10 kilometers away from Morgarten. So I hope that our team will find an unexpected new tactic in the one that lives up to the name of the game.