Almost chess
Gameplay Mechanics of “Almost chess”
“Almost chess” is a chess variant invented by Ralph Betza in 1977. It is played using a standard chessboard and pieces, with the exception that each player’s queen is replaced by a chancellor, a piece that combines the moves of the rook and the knight. The game was featured in NOST magazine Nost-algia, beginning with issue 205.
The popularity and significance of “Almost chess” can be attributed to its similarity to standard chess and the naturalness of the change from queen to chancellor. Betza considered “Almost chess” a good introductory chess variant for players due to its resemblance to standard chess and the equal strengths of the queen and chancellor.
Around 1994, Betza invented “sort of almost chess,” a variation where one player owns a chancellor and the opponent owns a queen. Betza believed that the chances for both sides were equal, even for advanced players, since the queen and chancellor have equal strengths. This variation emerged from Betza’s research on the values of chess pieces.
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