Countless chess variants have been invented, some using boards that are larger or smaller, hexagonal, round, or even 3D. For many of these games, additional pieces are needed. The games described here, by contrast, can all be played with a standard chess set.
Two sources for many other variants are The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants by D.B. Pritchard and New Rules for Classic Games, by the author of this article.
Pre-Chess
This game uses a standard chess set but a variable opening setup. Pawns begin on the usual squares, and players take turns placing one of their pieces on a first-rank square until all the pieces are on the board. A player’s bishops must be placed on squares of
