V. R. Parton - Cheshire Cat Chess

Cheshire Cat Chess

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Cheshire Cat Chess board and starting position ... then disappears; illus. by John Tenniel.
Game rules

In this variant, all normal chess rules apply, except: "Whenever a piece moves from its square, then that particular square must at once completely disappear out of the chessboard!"

Parton suggests using checker pieces to mark "disappeared" squares. Once vanished, a square may not be occupied again; however, pieces may move through disappeared square(s), including giving check through them.

Since castling is impossible in Cheshire Cat Chess (pieces which normally clear a path for castling cause needed squares to "disappear"), Parton permits the kings to be moved like queens once per game, on their first move.

Variation

The game can also be played using a regular 8×8 board and set, but Parton suggests the 10×10 board with two extra rooks in the corners as "best".

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