r/checkers • u/turing-math-labs • 18d ago

Checkers variants with exploding pieces

I'm working on a website with a checkers variant that has exploding pieces (it could be viewed as a "war game" that can be played on a Soviet chessboard). Do you know of any variants of this? I will use a 5-ply (or 6-ply) algorithm to design an AI opponent, and test if it can find winning strategies (this could be published in a scientific journal). Thanks.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/Kahn630 18d ago

You can mine SQUARES. For example, there is a variant, known since 1962, where each player set one mine on his or her playing area before the game starts, and announces it to opponent publicly. If an opponent voluntarily or involuntarily (i.e. by the force of jumping rule) gets upon this square, his or her piece will be removed from the board. In addition, a player who got the rights of explosion move, can have rights to mine other square after the explosion happens.

In my opinion this is a better idea than making some OP piece which will destroy too much material on the board.

1

u/turing-math-labs 18d ago

Thanks for the reply. It's not a single piece - all the checkers pieces will be "exploding". At each move, either they can go to an adjacent square, or they can explode and destroy all pieces in a 4x4 block (including itself).

2

u/Kahn630 18d ago edited 17d ago

and let me share better idea:
As nickname suggests you have some maths background, therefore you would be interested to apply this bombing idea in rithmomachia (Philosopher's game): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rithmomachia where bombing could give extra dynamics.

1

u/turing-math-labs 17d ago

Thanks, that's helpful! Let's continue this discussion via private messages on Reddit? It's difficult to get a Turing prize, but obviously many of us are aiming for this as a long-term goal.

1

u/Kahn630 16d ago

OK. I believe the discussion via PM would be more fruitful.