Chess, 4 Player Style
Finding someone to play chess with can be hard work. I taught my son how to play chess but he grew up and left home! Of course living 48 miles from the nearest neighbor does limit your options for chess companions.
For years I played chess against myself and since I do not know what move I am going to make until I make it, it isn't boring.
I have even made chessmen out of nuts, bolts and washers!
One day I set up a fresh game and just studied the board. I imagined 4 players, 4 sets of chessmen and the home positions set back two rows.
The picture in my mind wouldn't go away. I dug out a cardboard chessboard and cut it into 4, 2 row strips.
Note: I used a fine-toothed hacksaw.
I taped, on the back of the boards, the extra row to each side of another cardboard chessboard. I used a set of black wood chessmen, a set of white wood chessmen, a set of clear glass chessmen and a set of green plastic chessmen for the game pieces.
I studied the visual effect. Of course the original board was larger because there were no chessmen on it.
I began to play using the same rules for standard chess. It was a blast!
I continued playing by myself until a bunch of chess players happened to meet at my place.
Wow! 4 real players was even better!
Several of the children who had no interest in chess got involved and began playing chess, 4-player style.
Keep your mind on the game, it moves very fast!
Oh yes, one minor modification of the rules; Make it to any one of the three 'new home back row' and you can exchange your men for your higher captured chess pieces!
I give any patent rights to all people.
Rhondalyn Teel is a researcher and correlator. Search Rhondalyn Teel on http://www.lulu.com or on Kindle at http://www.amazon.com
Dear Abby - DEAR ABBY: Unbelievable as it may seem, this actually happened. I was in the ladies' room in my office building when a woman came in talking on her cell phone. She went into the stall next to mine and continued carrying on a conversation throughout her visit -- even while washing her hands!
