The Crossbishop is a bifurcation piece. It slides like a rook. It can make a capture by jumping over a piece of any colour. If an enemy piece is positioned immediately behind the jumped piece it will be captured (this is a "strong" Crossbishop). But if the square behind the jumped piece is empty then the Crossbishop continue diagonally in the prolonged movement direction (two alternative directions), and capture an enemy piece. The strong Crossbishop's value is 5, that is, the same as a rook. Otherwise the rules are the same as in standard chess, except for the possible promotion to Crossbishop.
Although the Crossbishop loses 'screens' to jump over when the pieces become fewer, it becomes more mobile when the orthogonals are cleared from pieces. Thus it often retains its value in the endgame. Note that the Crossbishop can have a big influence from behind the friendly pawn chain, especially if it can slide along the first rank. Crossbishop Chess (8x10) and the new Crossbishop piece, were invented by undersigned, August 2006.
The Crossbishop, slides like a rook, but captures by a jump followed by a bishop's slide. Had there been an enemy piece at the position marked with a green ring, it could have been captured (as this is a "strong" Crossbishop).
The Crossbishop's capture principle. The screen occurs anywhere on the first leg. Compare with the Chinese cannon's capture principle below.
Chinese cannon: the screen occurs anywhere on the one leg. (Movement occurs in four directions.)
• You can download my free Crossbishop Chess (8x10) program here (updated 2006-09-12), but you must own the software Zillions of Games to be able to run it.
• Don't miss my other chess variants.
© M. Winther (August 2006).
