Fairy chess comprises chess problems that differ from classical (also called orthodox) chess problems in that they are not direct mates. The term was introduced by Henry Tate in 1914 and has resisted change since then. While selfmate dates from the Middle Age, helpmate was invented by Max Lange in the late 19th century. Thomas Dawson (1889–1951), pioneer of fairy chess, invented many fairy pieces and new conditions. He was also problem editor of Fairy Chess Review (1930–51).
Pritchard, in The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, acknowledges that the term is sometimes used for games although it is more usually applied to problems where the board, pieces or rules are changed to express an idea or theme impossible in orthochess.
Read more about Fairy Chess: Types of Fairy Chess Problems
Famous quotes containing the words fairy and/or chess:
“Fairy tales are loved by the child not because the imagery he finds in them conforms to what goes on within him, but because—despite all the angry, anxious thoughts in his mind to which the fairy tale gives body and specific content—these stories always result in a happy outcome, which the child cannot imagine on his own.”
—Bruno Bettelheim (20th century)
“It’s a great huge game of chess that’s being played—all over the world—if this is the world at all, you know. Oh, what fun it is! How I wish I was one of them! I wouldn’t mind being a Pawn, if only I might join—though of course I should like to be a Queen, best.”
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)