4 Extra squares to be added to the chess board. Knights only

[NickFaulks]

I really ought to let Tim Harding answer this, but

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Ga ... _Variation

In the second position, the white knight on a8 is doomed. If it could hide away safely and reappear in the ending, White would be winning very easily.

[Kevin O'Rourke]

yesss.. found a use for my idea

[Roger de Coverly]

What is that?

It's a line of the Vienna where non forced play starts at move 11. Engines usually like White, but there are few recent over the board examples.
[FEN "N1bk1b1r/p2pq2p/1pnn2p1/3Qpp2/8/1B6/PPPP1PPP/R1B1K1NR w KQ - 0 11"]

The name was coined by Tim Harding of this forum many years ago for a magazine piece.

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Nc6 6. Nb5 g6 7. Qf3 f5 8. Qd5 Qe7 9. Nxc7 Kd8 10. Nxa8 b6

5. Qxe5 or 5. Bb3 Be7 can be played by those wanting to avoid it.

[John Moore]

There is a horrible book on the Frankenstein-Dracula variation by, you guessed it, Eric Schiller. The cover is, itself, rather unpleasant but I don't suppose that was Mr Schiller's fault. What was his fault was to decide that it would be a good idea to "sprinkle" excerpts from Dracula and Frankenstein throughout his opus.

"Merciful God, let me be calm, for out of that way lies madness indeed."

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Merciful God, let me be calm, for out of that way lies madness indeed."

Surely, everyone says that in time-scrambles?

[Paul McKeown]

Imagine 4 extra squares beyond each corner that can only be reached by a Knight. After the Knight lands on A1 it can move off the board to secret square where it now attacks A1. It would be rarely used and might be a bit whacky, but do you think it could catch on. An extra super power for the steed. Applies to all 4 corners.

Kevin - I think it is a very fine idea, and I would certainly be willing to give it a go. It would certainly change the balance of strength between the bishop and the knight, and it would change the valuation of many endgames, e.g. KN -v- Kp(r7) would be a draw if the knight managed to get to the queening square.

[Kevin O'Rourke]

Yes.. more power the steed. I’ve said before the Knight is unique in the way it moves and once you’ve lost them both you can never again move a piece that way (underpromtion aside)