In Pioneer Chess the rules are the same as in orthodox chess, except that one extra piece (or two) per player is placed in the reserve. Standard chess is included as an option.

Before starting, the players must decide whether they want to use the extra piece. To make a decision, press on the little black square. Only if both players choose not to use the extra piece, then it becomes a regular game of chess. If white turns down the extra piece, then black can overrule this. (Should both players exclude the external piece(s), then they must be removed by clicking on them.) Each variant features a particular extra piece. Choose your own favourite. Right-click on a piece to get more information.

If players have elected to include external pieces, they must now be placed on the file on which the player intends to introduce the piece(s). If, for instance, the player places the external piece behind his own queen, then the piece is automatically introduced on the queen's initial square when the queen moves away. If a piece is placed behind the king then it is also introduced at castling. The same is true if the external piece is placed behind the rook. Should a piece on the initial position be captured (exchanged), then the player has forfeited his right to introduce an external piece placed behind it. Note! In variants with two external pieces per player, the player is not allowed to position one piece on the king file and one on the rook file. This rule will prevent him from introducing two pieces simultaneously at castling.

The players, in their first move, decide from which file they aim to introduce the external piece. In this case, the external piece has previously been positioned on the knight file. It is introduced to g1 when the knight moves. Black introduces his piece when the bishop moves.

Pioneer Chess is intended as an alternative to standard chess. This method of introducing an external piece, or two, is probably ideal while the strategical situation is clarified before play begins. This implementation will allow the user to test which pieces are suitable. Tip! If you have a favourite piece then you can save the initial position in a game file, where the particular piece and the green button have already been chosen. When you double-click on the gamefile, this initial choice will start directly.

This program will be enhanced with more alternative pieces in later editions. Pioneer Chess is closely related to Alternative Chess, Accessory Chess and Pilgrim Chess. So far, these pieces have been implemented: Swedish Cannon, Chancellor, Archbishop, Amazon, Mastodon, Dimachaer, Trebuchet, Kwagga, Divaricator, Murmillo, Culverin, Belfry, Adjutant and Zeppelin, Consul, Dragonet, Camel (3+1), Llama, Alpaca, Guanaco, and Vicuņa (see below).

The Consul jumps like a Camel (3+1), or slides orthogonally on the same square colour only. The other square colour is simply ignored. It is a colourbound piece which is worth 5 (estimate). Note that it cannot jump over occupied squares of its own colour.

The Dragonet ('little dragon') flies to any empty square, of the same colour, in any direction. It captures an enemy piece by landing immediately beyond its victim. The Dragonet's value is 4, i.e. light piece + pawn (estimate). It's a colourbound variant of Schmittberger's Airplane, and was invented by me in Oct 2009.

The Lama family of pieces jump orthogonally on every second square, but have only four capture squares. They can, however, easily change square colour by moving to the adjacent orthogonal square. Any pair of these pieces can achieve checkmate together with a king.

The Llama jumps one or two steps orthogonally, capturing only on the second. Its value is 2.

The Alpaca jumps one or two steps orthogonally, capturing only on the first. Its value is 2.

The Guanaco jumps continuously two squares orthogonally to empty square (i.e. it slides on the same square colour). It can also step, and capture, one square orthogonally. Its value is somewhat less than a knight. A peculiarity is that jumps are allowed even if it has a capture possibility on the first square.

The Vicuņa jumps two squares orthogonally, and continues jumping as long as there are empty squares. It can also move one square orthogonally. It can only capture on its first two-square jump. Its value is somewhat less than a knight.

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To play you must have installed "Zillions of Games". Either double-click on PioneerChess.zrf or
1. Run "Zillions of Games"
2. Choose "Open Game Rules..." from the File menu
3. Select "PioneerChess.zrf" in the Open dialog and click "Open"
PioneerChess.zrf is a rules file used by the Windows program "Zillions of Games". Zillions of Games allows you to play any number of games against the computer or over the Internet. Zillions of Games can be purchased online. For more information please visit the Zillions of Games website www.zillions-of-games.com

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