Turnover Chess Variant

Turnover Chess - Official Rules

Created by Brazilian Designer Lúcio José Patrocínio Filho

Turn the Tide, Conquer the Board!

Siege

In Turnover Chess, a stalemate is considered a siege, so the game will NEVER end with a stalemate draw. It's considered that the "King" is in siege inside his Castle, and in this case the player must move, even to a square under attack.

Stalemate:

In Chess, a Stalemate is a kind of draw that happens when one side has NO legal moves to make. If the King is NOT in check, but no piece can be moved without putting the king in check, then the game will end with a stalemate draw. But this is for traditional chess!
In Turnover Chess, a stalemate is considered a siege, so the game will NEVER end with a stalemate draw. It's considered that the "King" is in siege inside his Castle, and in this case the player must move, even to a square under attack, and his opponent must take this last Castle to win.
In game app: the software just wait for the last Castle taken, so the player must resign or move his Castle in Siege to let it be taken by the opponent. It means the software doesn't need to check for Sieges, it only needs to check if the player is unable to move all pieces, in this rare case of Siege he loses the game.
In real life: players can end the game in a siege.

Siege:

If no piece can be moved,
If no piece can be moved without putting the last Castle in check,
If the last Castle is in checkmate,
then the player lose the game!

g6 is in Siege. Black lose!

If g6f7: Te7+

If g6g7, g6 h7, g6f5, g6f6: Tf7+

If g6h6: Fg5+

If g6g5: it is a turnover so Black lose with no Castles.

Forced Stalemate

it only needs to check if the player is unable to move all pieces, in this rare case of siege he loses the game.

In Turnover Chess, the traditional concept of a stalemate from classic chess is transformed into a siege scenario, introducing a unique dynamic to the game and ensuring a decisive outcome in every match. Here's a breakdown of this rule:

The Concept of Siege

1. Definition of Siege:

In Turnover Chess, a stalemate, known as a siege, is a condition where a player has no legal moves left, but his last Castle (equivalent to the King in traditional chess) is not currently in "check". Unlike in traditional chess, where such a scenario would result in a draw, in Turnover Chess, this leads to a loss for the player unable to make a legal move. It is considered that the last Castle is in siege.

2. Siege Conditions:

No Moves Available: If a player cannot make any move or any legal move without putting his last Castle in check, it is considered that the Castle is under siege.

Checkmate: If the last Castle is in checkmate, which traditionally signifies a loss, the same rule applies here. Checkmate is a siege, and the game must stop in a siege in real life games.

Strategic Implications

1. Avoiding Siege:

Piece Mobility: Ensuring that pieces remain mobile and have available moves is crucial. This involves strategic foresight to prevent your pieces from being blocked or limited in their movement capabilities.

Castle Protection: Protecting the last Castle is paramount since its loss or inability to move without entering check results in losing the game. Strategic placement and the use of other pieces to safeguard the Castle are essential tactics. Keep more than 1 Castle on board is a good strategy if possible.

2. Using Siege to Your Advantage:

Forcing Opponent Into Siege: Players can strategically use their pieces to limit the opponent’s options, effectively maneuvering them into a siege scenario where they might be forced to immobilize their Castle or have no legal moves left.

Control of the Game: Maintaining control over the board and crucial areas can help create situations where the opponent has limited options, potentially leading them into a siege.

3. Endgame Strategy:

Piece Reduction: As the game progresses and fewer pieces are on the board, the strategy should shift towards maintaining mobility and options for the last Castle while trying to restrict the opponent's moves.

Positional Play: Positioning of the Fortress, Citadel, and other pieces becomes increasingly crucial in the endgame to support the last Castle and prevent a siege.