Elements Chess - Rules

[Bootsza]

If that's the case, I am watching this like a hawk.  I'm an avid chessplayer.

Absolutely.  Avid chess player signing on his interest right here!

[artimies7]

Me like. Go.

[Tiko]

Updated first post, sorry again for the delay -- I told you it would be up soon..

Ruleset is tested, still, suggestion and feedback are welcome.

[TStar]

At first glance is looks horribly complex, but when you read it over it's amazingly simple and easy enough for even a chess novice to be able to take part in.

Some thoughts you guys for you guys to mull over.....
* Is it possible to number the board and just have players make moves in a simpler format?  For example "Pawn on 12 moves to 13".  The algebraic chess notation can be confusing to some and I don't want players to be discouraged from joining because they don't understand it well or are afraid they will mess it up.
* It seems a little bit anticlimactic to get all the way across the board to get a Queen but still only get to use the Pawn's deck.  Maybe during the initial deckbuilding everyone can submit a "Queen" deck too?  Or maybe the Queen gets to use any other deck from their own team they pick?  Or maybe Queens get to use upgrades?  I just think something special should happen for becoming a Queen instead of just getting to move differently.
* Why did you swap the placing of the Knight and Bishop?

[ddevans96]

I agree with TStar on most of his points - however, how much more difficult is it to write, for example, 'Pawn on F2 to F3'?

Personally I think that algebraic notation should be allowed in a spoiler or below the simplified version, for people who understand it to enjoy.

[Genuinous]

Wow this is amazing Though it might be a little long... Would it be possible to speed it up a little bit: If player 1 moves, finishes his movement and there are no battles to be fought, then player 2 could do his move immediately after, not having to wait 1 whole day? Otherwise it might take a week or so to get to the first duel...

@TStar I think Knight and Bishop had to be switched, because of the lay out of the board. If they wasn't, Bishop would end up on a red square and not being able to capture any Hourglasses.

[Shantu]

At first glance is looks horribly complex, but when you read it over it's amazingly simple and easy enough for even a chess novice to be able to take part in.

Some thoughts you guys for you guys to mull over.....
* Is it possible to number the board and just have players make moves in a simpler format?  For example "Pawn on 12 moves to 13".  The algebraic chess notation can be confusing to some and I don't want players to be discouraged from joining because they don't understand it well or are afraid they will mess it up.
* It seems a little bit anticlimactic to get all the way across the board to get a Queen but still only get to use the Pawn's deck.  Maybe during the initial deckbuilding everyone can submit a "Queen" deck too?  Or maybe the Queen gets to use any other deck from their own team they pick?  Or maybe Queens get to use upgrades?  I just think something special should happen for becoming a Queen instead of just getting to move differently.
* Why did you swap the placing of the Knight and Bishop?

I'm glad you find it simple. We were worried it would be a bit too complex.

1. I don't think it is important in what format do the players post their actions, as long as it is universal and everyone understands it. However, I think it is better to use the algebraic coordinates (F2, F3) because they aren't hard to use, they are there, and giving numbers to each square is extra work (+ if a piece stands on it, the number might not be visible).

2. I'm not sure about the Queen. It is a very powerful piece. Moving across the board without limits should be a big enough buff in itself. But if another bonus is needed, I'd support something like 'Gain (Deck Size/10) upgrades'. It is not gamebreaking, but a bonus nonetheless. I don't like changing decks though, as it is extra work for the player (14 decks in 1 week is a big task already, I think). Pawn decks also have the potential to be one of the strongest, due to being able to use cards from 5 elements.

3. Genuinous said it. If the Bishops were on dark squares, they could do little. No Hourglasses, no King. Knights would also be able to get to the middle too quickly.

Wow this is amazing Though it might be a little long... Would it be possible to speed it up a little bit: If player 1 moves, finishes his movement and there are no battles to be fought, then player 2 could do his move immediately after, not having to wait 1 whole day? Otherwise it might take a week or so to get to the first duel...

It might be good, but the Organizer(s) would have a hard time updating. After a while, the players couldn't follow what's up, if they play half the game in a few hours and the Organizer logs in only later.

[Genuinous]

Wow this is amazing Though it might be a little long... Would it be possible to speed it up a little bit: If player 1 moves, finishes his movement and there are no battles to be fought, then player 2 could do his move immediately after, not having to wait 1 whole day? Otherwise it might take a week or so to get to the first duel...

It might be good, but the Organizer(s) would have a hard time updating. After a while, the players couldn't follow what's up, if they play half the game in a few hours and the Organizer logs in only later.

Okay, but on the other hand, if we leave everything as it is now, this event will be longer than War... Each match will last 2-4 weeks, giving that just one round will last 1-3 months. And there are 4 rounds... So if some players will use all there time and play all their opponents 3 times, this event will last a year!

My suggestion would be the following, which would help players and organizers as well.

Each battle will have it's own topic (just like battle results), however the whole battle will take place there. Player A will post the move, then Player B, then Player A again. When they get to a battle they play it accordingly, and in the end post the decks there. Players will be allowed to move in their pace, which would be likely faster than the current version, but it cannot be slower! Organizers will only have to check the separate topics, and whenever they're online post the current position of the chess board.

IMO, this could be done in the following way: The Organizer starts the topic and has the first post, which he can edit with the results. This would give a nice overlook for everyone. Only Organizers and the Players would be allowed to post in this topic, which is good for 2 reasons. 1, easy to follow and not confusing, 2, they won't be bothered by continuous commenting about what should they do, which move to do, etc... In this topic only moves, battle results and deck images/comments on the battles, should have a place.

I think this could work. Of course this would mean more work for the Organizers (actually not more, just more concentrated), but the speed of the event would be significantly improved.

2 things I'm not sure about
-When someone steps on an Hourglass, do they know previously what is there (which action) or how is it decided? If it's the first, the Organizer could post that in the OP, if it's the latter, this event should have more Organizers, who can cover battles most of the time and in their comments state what happens on the Hourglass.
-How is the Queen working actually? Decks and etc.?

I really like this event and I'd be happily participating, however in it's current form it'd require Players to be online  on a daily basis for 3-12 months. This is even more demanding than War...

[Tiko]

Wow this is amazing Though it might be a little long... Would it be possible to speed it up a little bit: If player 1 moves, finishes his movement and there are no battles to be fought, then player 2 could do his move immediately after, not having to wait 1 whole day? Otherwise it might take a week or so to get to the first duel...

It might be good, but the Organizer(s) would have a hard time updating. After a while, the players couldn't follow what's up, if they play half the game in a few hours and the Organizer logs in only later.

Okay, but on the other hand, if we leave everything as it is now, this event will be longer than War... Each match will last 2-4 weeks, giving that just one round will last 1-3 months. And there are 4 rounds... So if some players will use all there time and play all their opponents 3 times, this event will last a year!

My suggestion would be the following, which would help players and organizers as well.

Each battle will have it's own topic (just like battle results), however the whole battle will take place there. Player A will post the move, then Player B, then Player A again. When they get to a battle they play it accordingly, and in the end post the decks there. Players will be allowed to move in their pace, which would be likely faster than the current version, but it cannot be slower! Organizers will only have to check the separate topics, and whenever they're online post the current position of the chess board.

IMO, this could be done in the following way: The Organizer starts the topic and has the first post, which he can edit with the results. This would give a nice overlook for everyone. Only Organizers and the Players would be allowed to post in this topic, which is good for 2 reasons. 1, easy to follow and not confusing, 2, they won't be bothered by continuous commenting about what should they do, which move to do, etc... In this topic only moves, battle results and deck images/comments on the battles, should have a place.

I think this could work. Of course this would mean more work for the Organizers (actually not more, just more concentrated), but the speed of the event would be significantly improved.

2 things I'm not sure about
-When someone steps on an Hourglass, do they know previously what is there (which action) or how is it decided? If it's the first, the Organizer could post that in the OP, if it's the latter, this event should have more Organizers, who can cover battles most of the time and in their comments state what happens on the Hourglass.
-How is the Queen working actually? Decks and etc.?

I really like this event and I'd be happily participating, however in it's current form it'd require Players to be online  on a daily basis for 3-12 months. This is even more demanding than War...

These are 1v1 matches, and 8 players fight simultaneously on 4 different boards. The players get 1 (or 2, but preferably 1) week for building decks for the different pieces. After that when the matches start (see the 5th point) Player 1 posts his move. Next day the other player posts his move. But by round 3 they will very likely capture the Hourglasses nearest to them (they are always on the same spots), which means, for every Hourglass captured they can/must make an additional move with seperate pieces in their respective turn.

For example: Player one occupies both of his Hourglasses by round 4, so he chooses to move a Pawn from F2 to F4, another Pawn from G2 to G3 to defend the previous. And he also moves out his Knight from F1 to E3 for some sneaky tactics only he knows.

Personally, I would wanted to make duel phase to last for 1 day too, but considering different people living in different time zones, two days is more acceptable for everyone. From the testings we made it seemed that a full match without surrender lasts for around 20-25 turns. So that means a full real-live match should no longer last than ~1 months. Hourglasses were meant to hasten things up a bit. But yes, it may take several months to declare the winner of the event..

About the topic, yes, there should be a seperate topic for different matchups, where only the players and the organiser should post. Still, there are only misunderstandings for people who can't keep a full chessboard with all of it's standings in their minds. It's much easier and better to see the current board while you're thinking on your next move(s) than trying to imagine the pieces everytime you have an idea.

And about the Queen: I didn't include it on the picture, and in the starting line-up willingly. The ability to move almost without limits paired with aimed deckbuilding would make it a far more powerful piece than anything else on the board. And paired up with hourglasses, it became ridiculous. Also, it's very hard to accumulate, so it's very unlikely that you'll ever see one on the board.

I hope I didn't miss anything.

Edit: Still, it would be nice to hasten it up a bit more. Maybe matching up people from similar time-zones, shortening duel phase to 1 day too, or even less players.. Now that I think of it, it can really last for quite long.. Ideas?

[truddy02]

Do you win with checkmate or do you have to beat the kings deck to win?  If you have beat the kings deck then is a player required to move out of check?  Making multiple moves per turn means that you could actually make a move that attacks a king that was not previously in check so I would assume that you have to actually take it but I am just looking for a little clarification. 

[Genuinous]

I think the disadvantaged of people being forced to think, keep the chess board in head (they could just draw it themselves to make it simpler!!) is far smaller than the possibility to speed up the event.

If it's possible to allow players or other organizers to post the changes to the board themselves it'd be easier. Not sure whether that'd work.

[Rainbowninja]

I love this idea. BTW your bishop is on dark not light squares, and in the wrong place.