Paranoia Chess
“ Paranoia Chess” is, according to Ken Larsen, the best variant he ever invented. In addition to a CS2, this game requires that you have some means of secretly recording moves. This game plays like ordinary chess( the goal is to deliver checkmate and leaving yourself in check is not allowed) except that, before each move, a guess is made. For example, before White makes his first move, Black makes a guess as to what that move will be. Then White attempts to play his move. If Black guessed wrong, then nothing special happens— White’ s move is played, and it becomes Black’ s turn( with White guessing). However, if Black guessed correctly, then instead of getting to play his desired move, White loses the piece he was going to move. After this piece is removed, it is still White’ s turn( unless Black is thereby put in check; if both Kings are put in check, the game is immediately drawn), so Black makes another guess and the process is repeated. If you lose your King, you lose the game, and games normally end in this fashion( ordinary checkmate being relatively uncommon).
Since played moves must be legal in the Chess sense, delivering check can be very powerful as your opponent’ s move options will be severely restricted( and your chances of guessing correctly greatly enhanced). Indeed, allowing your opponent to play a check is often disastrous, so it is probably a good strategy to guess such moves. Of course, your opponent may assume that you’ re guessing such moves and refuse to play them, so it may be unnecessary for you to actually do so. A good strategy is to arrange lots of potential checks before finally attempting to play one. If you play this game, you will quickly become incredibly worried that, whatever you want to play, your opponent has guessed it; it is this feeling that justifies the name.
This game emphasizes psychological toughness( you can’ t play scared) as well as being on the lookout for all sorts of random checks. Each of these traits should serve you well in Chess.
Well, that’ s enough variety for now. Hopefully you’ ll enjoy these games as much as I have. What are your favorite variants? Let me know and I’ ll mention them in a future article. Until then, have fun!
The Chess Scholar Tactics Trove Solutions From Sept / Oct issue
1. Fischer vs Antillo Di Camillo 1. Bc7
2. Fischer vs J Bennett 1. Rd8 +
3. Fischer vs Pal Benko 1. Nh5 f5 2. Nef6 +
4. Fischer vs Reuben Fine 1. Qg3 Qxg3 2. Bf6 #
5. Fischer vs. Borislav Ivkov 1. f7
6. Fischer vs. Lhamsuren Miagmasuren 1. Qxh7 + Kxh7 2. hxg6 + Kxh6 3. Be4 #