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CHESMAYNE
CHESS DICTIONARY
Copyright (1994/98 by Raymond Reid.
Chesmayne@tinet.ie
HYPERLINK http://homepage.tinet.ie/~rayreid/
The 8 x 8 chess board and pieces.
Please see 'Index' for a complete list of terms used.
Chesmayne: 8 x 8, 10 x 10, 12 x 12 etc. Ornamental sets are used for
decoration. A small cheap set is adequate when you start to play traditional
chess. But for big events a larger Chesmayne set is used (2-inch/50mm). On
:L01 each player has eight MPs which start on the back rank, posted behind
the eight PAs. Each player has two ROs (in the corners), two KTs (next to
the ROs), two BSs (next to the KTs), and in the centre the KI and QU1. Note
that QU1 is placed to the left of your KI for :A. Take careful note of the
following when reading, talking or writing about Chesmayne:-
01 The word 'pieces' can be used to denote all the units including the
PAs (mps), or it can be used for only the MPs as distinct from the PAs. The
term 'winning a piece' always means winning a MP or mp.
02 The term minor piece (mp) refers to the PAs or other minor pieces
that may be used in Chesmayne.
03 The term major piece (MP) refers to all the pieces (MPs) on the first R$.
04 Of all the board :gms, traditional chess has by far the most extenґ
sive literature. There are books on general :&O theory, there are books on
specific :&Os, and there are even monographs on single &OVs. Numerous studґ
ies of the :MG and the :EG have been published, as well as biographies of
the greatest players, books on individual tournaments and matches and, of
course, histories of the :gm itself. Many of the chess classics are still in
print such as 'My System' by Aron Nimzowitsch, but local libraries are the
best hunting grounds for books that are out of print.
05 Chesmayne is a war :gm played on a battlefield between two armies.
You and your adversary are the two KIs in charge of the armies, taking it in
turns to move one of your MPs/mps. In the paragraph below we look at the
battlefield and learn the names of the F$ and R$.
06 In a :gm of Chesmayne your battlefield is a chequered board of 8 x
8, 10 x 10, 12 x 12 etc. The cells on your board are coloured alternately XL
(light) and XD (dark). The XL and XD cells have different names to describe
their function ie: light, dark or blocked. Always remember that when you set
up the board to play Chesmayne that the cell in the lower right hand corner
can be either an XD or XL cell.
07 The cells going up and down the board are called files (F$). The
paths going to the left and right are called ranks (R$). F$ go up and down -
R$ from side to side. The cells going from corner to corner are called diagґ
onals, D$. See B$ (Block).
08 It is easier to talk about Chesmayne if we give each cell a name. At
the bottom of a Chesmayne board you will see the letters A to H (8 x 8
board) - these are the names of the letters of the F$. The F$A, the F$B and
so on, to F$H. On the side of the board are the numbers 1 to 8. These are
the numbers of the ranks on an 8 x 8 board. You should have a Chesmayne
board with these letters and numbers on the bottom and sides (see below on
how to print your own board and MPs/mps).
09 The name of a cell is made up from the letter of its F$ followed by
the number of its R$ ie, $A01, $A02 to $A08. Please see the section on notaґ
tion for further details.
10 French: echiquier. German: brett. Italian: scacchiera. Spanish: tablero.
11 The chequered pattern of the chess board was introduced before the
12th century, probably from the draught boards which were common at this
time. Chequered boards (of 10 x 5 cells) were used by accountants in England
and were called 'Eschecker', which was later spelt 'exchequer'. Drawing
Board:- symbol of a master Freemason.
12 Harold James Ruthven Murray identified five types of board :gm,
01 Alignment and configuration (merels).
02 Hunt (fox and geese).
03 Race (backgammon).
04 Mancala.
05 War.
05A Battle (chess).
05B Territory (Go).
05C Clearance (Solitaire).
05D Blockade.
Traditional chess sets have varied enormously down the ages from
the exquisitely carved ivory MPs/mps from the Chinese sets made in the 1850s
to the inlaid wooden chessboard's and delicate MPs/mps from the late 17th
century belonging to the diarist Samuel Pepys. In the 20th century many
amusing sets have been created. The traditional chess MPs/mps became stanґ
dardised in the 19th century. Howard Staunton commissioned Nathaniel Cook in
1849 to design the chess set which is used in all international traditional
chess competitions. The height of the KI in the Staunton set is usually
about 9.5 cm (3.75 inches) and the boards have 5.5cm, (2.25 inch) cells. The
Staunton chess MPs/mps are manufactured objects which have been promoted to
the dignity of art and function today as a decisive comment on chess tradiґ
tion and dogma. As an icon, logo or trademark, the Staunton set is likely to
be remembered for many years to come. Many suggestions for a change in the
size of the traditional chess board (8 x 8) have been made in the past (usuґ
ally designed to counter :&O knowledge and the advantage this gives to the
more experienced player).
The boards themselves are made from various materials including
cloth, wood, rigid and roll-up plastic, and even paper boards are common.
Folding chess boards are a convenient type produced. Other types of sets are
produced including large sets for public parks and pocket portable chess
sets. Demonstration boards are used for exhibiting the moves of important
competitions or for lectures to large crowds and sets for blind chess playґ
ers are also available. Timing devices, special stationery, scoresheets, and
adjournment envelopes are also produced. Since the mid-19th century slight
variations on the original Staunton pattern have been manufactured in many
countries and plastic MPs/mps produced in Hong Kong are used the world over.
Yugoslavia designed a special variant of the Staunton chess set for the
Dubrovnik 1950 Olympiad and Olga Kazic produced a design for the 1972 Skopje
Olympiad. Although traditional chess is centuries old, there were no offiґ
cial unified rules (:ru) until 50 years ago. How the MPs/mps move in tradiґ
tional chess basically assumed their present day form by the end of the 15th
century. A hodge-podge of various regulations existed in different countries
concerning castling, stalemate, en passant, promotion of mps and many of
these rules went through a complicated evolution before becoming generally
accepted.
Different sized boards
A board (theoretically) can have any number of cells. In the table of
cellular boards you will see that the :gm of X's and O's has a board of 3 x
3 or 9 cells. The traditional chess board has a board of 8 x 8 or 64 cells.
The Japanese :gm of 'Go' has a board of 19 x 19 cells (361). Japanese chess
has a board of 81 cells (9 x 9). Chinese chess has a board of 90 cells (10 x
9). A Chesmayne board can have any number of cells either vertically or horґ
izontally. A board may be 9 x 17, 6 x 21 or, 50 x 50 cells if so desired.
The board is like the connective tissue that binds all of the MPs/mps toґ
gether.
The centre of the board
|-----|-----|
| A04 | A03 |
|-----|-----| B$A A01 to A04
| A01 | A02 | Middle of the board
|-----|-----|
Until your early manoeuvres are completed B$A is the most important
place on the board. The player who controls B$A is well placed to dictate
the future course of events and switch play at will from one wing to the
other. The centre is defined as the cells A01, A02, A03 and A04 (Chesmayne
Notation). Much of a well-played :&O revolves around the struggle for conґ
trol of these cells. The reason for this is simply understood: B$A is the
hub of the Chesmayne board - where attack and defense can meet and where the
KIs side of the board rubs shoulders with the QUs side. If you are to keep
lines of communication open, control of the centre cells is essential. As
the pattern of the :gm develops it may become necessary to shift the emphaґ
sis from attack to defence or, from one side of the board to another. Cenґ
trally placed MPs can move into action on all four corners of the board at a
moment's notice - so until priorities become clear, B$A remains the most
useful and important-area. In Burmese Chess B$A is referred to as 'the four
cells of the death of the KI' (see 'Burmese Chess' for details).
The middle centre of the board
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| B10 | B09 | B08 | B07 |
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| B11 | | | B06 |
|-----|-----|-----|-----| B$B B01 to B12
| B12 | | | B05 | Middle Centre of board
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| B01 | B02 | B03 | B04 |
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
Just as you should give attention to the four cells which form the cenґ
tre, the twelve cells surrounding them B$B, (B01 to B12 in the Chesmayne Noґ
tation) should also be treated with respect. The area bounded by B$B has
been termed the 'Middle-Centre'. These cells also form useful bases for MPs
which can maintain some flexibility of action. See section on 'Notation' for
further details.
The Board:-
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below. 8 x 8 Board Part-01.
Print each section on a separate sheet of A4 coloured paper/card. Place the
completed board in a plastic envelope for protection of the playing area
(available at good stationers).
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| TRADITIONAL 8 x 8 Chess-Chesmayne Board |
|---|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---|
| | A | B | C | D | |
| |***************|---------------|***************|---------------| |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| 8 |***** D22 *****| D21 |***** D20 *****| D19 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| | Part-01 of 4
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 7 | D23 |***** C16 *****| C15 |***** C14 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| 6 |***** D24 *****| C17 |***** B10 *****| B09 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 5 | D25 |***** C18 *****| B11 |***** A04 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|---------------|***************|---------------|***************|---|
| | Glue or Sellotape here |
|---|---------------------------------------------------------------|
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below.
8 x 8 Board Part-02. Print each section on a separate sheet of A4 coloured
paper/card. Place completed board in a plastic envelope (available at good stationers).
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Make a record of your moves on a scoresheet |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---|
| E | F | G | H | |
|***************|---------------|***************|---------------| |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | | Part-02 of 4
|***** D18 *****| D17 |***** D16 *****| D15 | 8 |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| C13 |***** C12 *****| |***** D14 *****| 7 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***** B08 *****| B07 |***** C10 *****| D13 | 6 |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| A03 |***** B06 *****| C09 |***** D12 *****| 5 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|---------------|***************|---------------|***************|---|
| Glue or Sellotape here |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below.
8 x 8 Board Part-03. Print each section on a separate sheet of A4 coloured
paper/card. Place completed board in a plastic envelope (available at good stationers).
|---|***************|---------------|***************|---------------|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |---|
| 4 |***** D26 *****| C19 |***** B12 *****| A01 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | | Part-03 of 4
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 3 | D27 |***** C20 *****| B01 |***** B02 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| 2 |***** D28 *****| C01 |***** C02 *****| C03 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 1 | D01 |***** D02 *****| D03 |***** D04 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|---------------|***************|---------------|***************| |
| | A | B | C | D | |
| |---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---|
| Chesmayne ( Copyright 1994/98 Raymond Reid |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below.
8 x 8 Board Part-04. Print each section on a separate sheet of A4
coloured paper/card. Place completed board in a plastic envelope (available
at good stationers).
|***************|---------------|***************|---------------|---|
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***** A02 *****| B05 |***** C08 *****| D11 | 4 | Part-04 of 4
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| B03 |***** B04 *****| C07 |***** D10 *****| 3 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|***************|***************|***************|---------------|---|
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***** C04 *****| C05 |***** C06 *****| D10 | 2 |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| D05 |***** D06 *****| D07 |***** D08 *****| 1 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|---------------|***************|---------------|***************|---|
| E | F | G | H | |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------| |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
The chess pieces for traditional chess.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| | | | | | | |
RO-01 RO-02 KT-01 KT-02 BS-01 BS-02 QU-01
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
RO1 RO2 KT1 KT2 BS1 BS2 QU1
| | | | | | | |
| ROOK | ROOK | KNIGHT | KNIGHT | BISHOP | BISHOP | QUEEN |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
RO-01 RO-02 KT-01 KT-02 BS-01 BS-02 QU-01
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
Print twice, once for :A and once for :B. Use two different coloured papers.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| | | | | | | |
KI RO-03 KT-03 BS-03 QU-03 QU-04 QU-05
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
--------------------------------------------------------
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
KI RO3 KT3 BS3 QU3 QU4 QU5
| | | | | | | |
| KING | ROOK | ROOK | BISHOP | QUEEN | QUEEN | QUEEN |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
KI RO-03 KT-03 BS-03 QU-03 QU-04 QU-05
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
Print twice, once for :A and once for :B. Use two different coloured papers.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
-----------------------------------------------
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
PA1 PA2 PA3 PA4 PA5 PA6 PA7
PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
PA-01 PA-02 PA-03 PA-04 PA-05 PA-06 PA-07
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
Print twice, once for :A and once for :B. Use two different coloured papers.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
-----------------------------------------------
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
PA8 PA9 PA10 PA11 PA12 PA13 PA14
PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
PA-08 PA-09 PA-10 PA-11 PA-12 PA-13 PA-14
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
When you have printed the chess pieces you should cut them out
with a sharp scissors and bend them into a triangular shape (as indicated in
the diagrams).
Use sellotape (glue is even better) to fix the triangular shape of
each chess piece. In actual practice, it should take you only a few seconds
to assemble each chess piece.
The 8 x 8 chess board is made from 4 separate sections. Print each
section on an A4 sheet of paper (plain A4 paper is sufficient for the
board). Cut with a scissors where marked on each sheet of paper. The squares
(cells) of the 8 x 8 chess board are 30 millimeters square. You may use
plain white, buff, green or, blue paper to give a different background to
your board. The 8 x 8 chess board is 265mm (10.5 inches) to a side when asґ
sembled. If you wish you may now go to the bottom of this section and try
some of the sample games for yourself?
You may wish to place your chessboard in a plastic envelope for
protection (available at good stationers). Use a black sheet of paper as a
background for your chess board. With your chessboard and chessmen assembled
you will now be able to play levels 01, 02 and 03 etc, of Chesmayne.
Japanese, Chinese, Burmese, Thai, Korean, Shatranj, German etc are dealt
with elsewhere in this dictionary.
I don't have a printer - what do I do?
Ask a friend to print the chessboard and chess pieces for you (simple)!
CHESMAYNE
Copyright 1994-1998 Raymond Reid.
END OF TEXT
full page view of this text.
CHESMAYNE
CHESS DICTIONARY
Copyright (1994/98 by Raymond Reid.
Chesmayne@tinet.ie
HYPERLINK http://homepage.tinet.ie/~rayreid/
The 8 x 8 chess board and pieces.
Please see 'Index' for a complete list of terms used.
Chesmayne: 8 x 8, 10 x 10, 12 x 12 etc. Ornamental sets are used for
decoration. A small cheap set is adequate when you start to play traditional
chess. But for big events a larger Chesmayne set is used (2-inch/50mm). On
:L01 each player has eight MPs which start on the back rank, posted behind
the eight PAs. Each player has two ROs (in the corners), two KTs (next to
the ROs), two BSs (next to the KTs), and in the centre the KI and QU1. Note
that QU1 is placed to the left of your KI for :A. Take careful note of the
following when reading, talking or writing about Chesmayne:-
01 The word 'pieces' can be used to denote all the units including the
PAs (mps), or it can be used for only the MPs as distinct from the PAs. The
term 'winning a piece' always means winning a MP or mp.
02 The term minor piece (mp) refers to the PAs or other minor pieces
that may be used in Chesmayne.
03 The term major piece (MP) refers to all the pieces (MPs) on the first R$.
04 Of all the board :gms, traditional chess has by far the most extenґ
sive literature. There are books on general :&O theory, there are books on
specific :&Os, and there are even monographs on single &OVs. Numerous studґ
ies of the :MG and the :EG have been published, as well as biographies of
the greatest players, books on individual tournaments and matches and, of
course, histories of the :gm itself. Many of the chess classics are still in
print such as 'My System' by Aron Nimzowitsch, but local libraries are the
best hunting grounds for books that are out of print.
05 Chesmayne is a war :gm played on a battlefield between two armies.
You and your adversary are the two KIs in charge of the armies, taking it in
turns to move one of your MPs/mps. In the paragraph below we look at the
battlefield and learn the names of the F$ and R$.
06 In a :gm of Chesmayne your battlefield is a chequered board of 8 x
8, 10 x 10, 12 x 12 etc. The cells on your board are coloured alternately XL
(light) and XD (dark). The XL and XD cells have different names to describe
their function ie: light, dark or blocked. Always remember that when you set
up the board to play Chesmayne that the cell in the lower right hand corner
can be either an XD or XL cell.
07 The cells going up and down the board are called files (F$). The
paths going to the left and right are called ranks (R$). F$ go up and down -
R$ from side to side. The cells going from corner to corner are called diagґ
onals, D$. See B$ (Block).
08 It is easier to talk about Chesmayne if we give each cell a name. At
the bottom of a Chesmayne board you will see the letters A to H (8 x 8
board) - these are the names of the letters of the F$. The F$A, the F$B and
so on, to F$H. On the side of the board are the numbers 1 to 8. These are
the numbers of the ranks on an 8 x 8 board. You should have a Chesmayne
board with these letters and numbers on the bottom and sides (see below on
how to print your own board and MPs/mps).
09 The name of a cell is made up from the letter of its F$ followed by
the number of its R$ ie, $A01, $A02 to $A08. Please see the section on notaґ
tion for further details.
10 French: echiquier. German: brett. Italian: scacchiera. Spanish: tablero.
11 The chequered pattern of the chess board was introduced before the
12th century, probably from the draught boards which were common at this
time. Chequered boards (of 10 x 5 cells) were used by accountants in England
and were called 'Eschecker', which was later spelt 'exchequer'. Drawing
Board:- symbol of a master Freemason.
12 Harold James Ruthven Murray identified five types of board :gm,
01 Alignment and configuration (merels).
02 Hunt (fox and geese).
03 Race (backgammon).
04 Mancala.
05 War.
05A Battle (chess).
05B Territory (Go).
05C Clearance (Solitaire).
05D Blockade.
Traditional chess sets have varied enormously down the ages from
the exquisitely carved ivory MPs/mps from the Chinese sets made in the 1850s
to the inlaid wooden chessboard's and delicate MPs/mps from the late 17th
century belonging to the diarist Samuel Pepys. In the 20th century many
amusing sets have been created. The traditional chess MPs/mps became stanґ
dardised in the 19th century. Howard Staunton commissioned Nathaniel Cook in
1849 to design the chess set which is used in all international traditional
chess competitions. The height of the KI in the Staunton set is usually
about 9.5 cm (3.75 inches) and the boards have 5.5cm, (2.25 inch) cells. The
Staunton chess MPs/mps are manufactured objects which have been promoted to
the dignity of art and function today as a decisive comment on chess tradiґ
tion and dogma. As an icon, logo or trademark, the Staunton set is likely to
be remembered for many years to come. Many suggestions for a change in the
size of the traditional chess board (8 x 8) have been made in the past (usuґ
ally designed to counter :&O knowledge and the advantage this gives to the
more experienced player).
The boards themselves are made from various materials including
cloth, wood, rigid and roll-up plastic, and even paper boards are common.
Folding chess boards are a convenient type produced. Other types of sets are
produced including large sets for public parks and pocket portable chess
sets. Demonstration boards are used for exhibiting the moves of important
competitions or for lectures to large crowds and sets for blind chess playґ
ers are also available. Timing devices, special stationery, scoresheets, and
adjournment envelopes are also produced. Since the mid-19th century slight
variations on the original Staunton pattern have been manufactured in many
countries and plastic MPs/mps produced in Hong Kong are used the world over.
Yugoslavia designed a special variant of the Staunton chess set for the
Dubrovnik 1950 Olympiad and Olga Kazic produced a design for the 1972 Skopje
Olympiad. Although traditional chess is centuries old, there were no offiґ
cial unified rules (:ru) until 50 years ago. How the MPs/mps move in tradiґ
tional chess basically assumed their present day form by the end of the 15th
century. A hodge-podge of various regulations existed in different countries
concerning castling, stalemate, en passant, promotion of mps and many of
these rules went through a complicated evolution before becoming generally
accepted.
Different sized boards
A board (theoretically) can have any number of cells. In the table of
cellular boards you will see that the :gm of X's and O's has a board of 3 x
3 or 9 cells. The traditional chess board has a board of 8 x 8 or 64 cells.
The Japanese :gm of 'Go' has a board of 19 x 19 cells (361). Japanese chess
has a board of 81 cells (9 x 9). Chinese chess has a board of 90 cells (10 x
9). A Chesmayne board can have any number of cells either vertically or horґ
izontally. A board may be 9 x 17, 6 x 21 or, 50 x 50 cells if so desired.
The board is like the connective tissue that binds all of the MPs/mps toґ
gether.
The centre of the board
|-----|-----|
| A04 | A03 |
|-----|-----| B$A A01 to A04
| A01 | A02 | Middle of the board
|-----|-----|
Until your early manoeuvres are completed B$A is the most important
place on the board. The player who controls B$A is well placed to dictate
the future course of events and switch play at will from one wing to the
other. The centre is defined as the cells A01, A02, A03 and A04 (Chesmayne
Notation). Much of a well-played :&O revolves around the struggle for conґ
trol of these cells. The reason for this is simply understood: B$A is the
hub of the Chesmayne board - where attack and defense can meet and where the
KIs side of the board rubs shoulders with the QUs side. If you are to keep
lines of communication open, control of the centre cells is essential. As
the pattern of the :gm develops it may become necessary to shift the emphaґ
sis from attack to defence or, from one side of the board to another. Cenґ
trally placed MPs can move into action on all four corners of the board at a
moment's notice - so until priorities become clear, B$A remains the most
useful and important-area. In Burmese Chess B$A is referred to as 'the four
cells of the death of the KI' (see 'Burmese Chess' for details).
The middle centre of the board
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| B10 | B09 | B08 | B07 |
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| B11 | | | B06 |
|-----|-----|-----|-----| B$B B01 to B12
| B12 | | | B05 | Middle Centre of board
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| B01 | B02 | B03 | B04 |
|-----|-----|-----|-----|
Just as you should give attention to the four cells which form the cenґ
tre, the twelve cells surrounding them B$B, (B01 to B12 in the Chesmayne Noґ
tation) should also be treated with respect. The area bounded by B$B has
been termed the 'Middle-Centre'. These cells also form useful bases for MPs
which can maintain some flexibility of action. See section on 'Notation' for
further details.
The Board:-
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below. 8 x 8 Board Part-01.
Print each section on a separate sheet of A4 coloured paper/card. Place the
completed board in a plastic envelope for protection of the playing area
(available at good stationers).
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| TRADITIONAL 8 x 8 Chess-Chesmayne Board |
|---|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---|
| | A | B | C | D | |
| |***************|---------------|***************|---------------| |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| 8 |***** D22 *****| D21 |***** D20 *****| D19 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| | Part-01 of 4
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 7 | D23 |***** C16 *****| C15 |***** C14 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| 6 |***** D24 *****| C17 |***** B10 *****| B09 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 5 | D25 |***** C18 *****| B11 |***** A04 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|---------------|***************|---------------|***************|---|
| | Glue or Sellotape here |
|---|---------------------------------------------------------------|
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below.
8 x 8 Board Part-02. Print each section on a separate sheet of A4 coloured
paper/card. Place completed board in a plastic envelope (available at good stationers).
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Make a record of your moves on a scoresheet |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---|
| E | F | G | H | |
|***************|---------------|***************|---------------| |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | | Part-02 of 4
|***** D18 *****| D17 |***** D16 *****| D15 | 8 |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| C13 |***** C12 *****| |***** D14 *****| 7 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***** B08 *****| B07 |***** C10 *****| D13 | 6 |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| A03 |***** B06 *****| C09 |***** D12 *****| 5 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|---------------|***************|---------------|***************|---|
| Glue or Sellotape here |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below.
8 x 8 Board Part-03. Print each section on a separate sheet of A4 coloured
paper/card. Place completed board in a plastic envelope (available at good stationers).
|---|***************|---------------|***************|---------------|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |---|
| 4 |***** D26 *****| C19 |***** B12 *****| A01 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | | Part-03 of 4
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 3 | D27 |***** C20 *****| B01 |***** B02 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| 2 |***** D28 *****| C01 |***** C02 *****| C03 | |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
| |***************| |***************| | |
|---|***************|***************|***************|***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| 1 | D01 |***** D02 *****| D03 |***** D04 *****| |
| | |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
| | |***************| |***************| |
|---|---------------|***************|---------------|***************| |
| | A | B | C | D | |
| |---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---|
| Chesmayne ( Copyright 1994/98 Raymond Reid |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
Use a sharp scissors to cut-out the diagram below.
8 x 8 Board Part-04. Print each section on a separate sheet of A4
coloured paper/card. Place completed board in a plastic envelope (available
at good stationers).
|***************|---------------|***************|---------------|---|
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***** A02 *****| B05 |***** C08 *****| D11 | 4 | Part-04 of 4
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| B03 |***** B04 *****| C07 |***** D10 *****| 3 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|***************|***************|***************|---------------|---|
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***** C04 *****| C05 |***** C06 *****| D10 | 2 |
|***** *****| |***** *****| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************| |***************| | |
|***************|***************|***************|***************|---|
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| D05 |***** D06 *****| D07 |***** D08 *****| 1 |
| |***** *****| |***** *****| |
| |***************| |***************| |
| |***************| |***************| |
|---------------|***************|---------------|***************|---|
| E | F | G | H | |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------| |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
The chess pieces for traditional chess.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| | | | | | | |
RO-01 RO-02 KT-01 KT-02 BS-01 BS-02 QU-01
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
RO1 RO2 KT1 KT2 BS1 BS2 QU1
| | | | | | | |
| ROOK | ROOK | KNIGHT | KNIGHT | BISHOP | BISHOP | QUEEN |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
RO-01 RO-02 KT-01 KT-02 BS-01 BS-02 QU-01
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
Print twice, once for :A and once for :B. Use two different coloured papers.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| | | | | | | |
KI RO-03 KT-03 BS-03 QU-03 QU-04 QU-05
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
--------------------------------------------------------
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
KI RO3 KT3 BS3 QU3 QU4 QU5
| | | | | | | |
| KING | ROOK | ROOK | BISHOP | QUEEN | QUEEN | QUEEN |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|Bend
| | | | | | | |Here
KI RO-03 KT-03 BS-03 QU-03 QU-04 QU-05
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
Print twice, once for :A and once for :B. Use two different coloured papers.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
-----------------------------------------------
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
PA1 PA2 PA3 PA4 PA5 PA6 PA7
PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
PA-01 PA-02 PA-03 PA-04 PA-05 PA-06 PA-07
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
Print twice, once for :A and once for :B. Use two different coloured papers.
Glue, bend and cut with sharp scissors where shown below.
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
| | | | | | | |
GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE GLUE HERE
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
-----------------------------------------------
| | | | | | | |
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
PA8 PA9 PA10 PA11 PA12 PA13 PA14
PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN PAWN
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|Bend
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
PA-08 PA-09 PA-10 PA-11 PA-12 PA-13 PA-14
|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
When you have printed the chess pieces you should cut them out
with a sharp scissors and bend them into a triangular shape (as indicated in
the diagrams).
Use sellotape (glue is even better) to fix the triangular shape of
each chess piece. In actual practice, it should take you only a few seconds
to assemble each chess piece.
The 8 x 8 chess board is made from 4 separate sections. Print each
section on an A4 sheet of paper (plain A4 paper is sufficient for the
board). Cut with a scissors where marked on each sheet of paper. The squares
(cells) of the 8 x 8 chess board are 30 millimeters square. You may use
plain white, buff, green or, blue paper to give a different background to
your board. The 8 x 8 chess board is 265mm (10.5 inches) to a side when asґ
sembled. If you wish you may now go to the bottom of this section and try
some of the sample games for yourself?
You may wish to place your chessboard in a plastic envelope for
protection (available at good stationers). Use a black sheet of paper as a
background for your chess board. With your chessboard and chessmen assembled
you will now be able to play levels 01, 02 and 03 etc, of Chesmayne.
Japanese, Chinese, Burmese, Thai, Korean, Shatranj, German etc are dealt
with elsewhere in this dictionary.
I don't have a printer - what do I do?
Ask a friend to print the chessboard and chess pieces for you (simple)!
CHESMAYNE
Copyright 1994-1998 Raymond Reid.
END OF TEXT