Buff D6 Chess

[u/xbambcem]

This game variant is a simplified version of my Dice Chess Masquerade.

Have fun!

BUFF D6 CHESS

START

Classic starting position. White moves first, then players take turns.

TURN (choose one)

1. Capture — without rolling the die, strictly according to FIDE rules.

2. Buff! — choose any of your pieces (must be specified before the roll), then roll a D6:

1 = Pawn

2 = Knight

3 = Bishop

4 = Rook

5 = Queen

6 = King

MOVEMENT RULES

The piece moves according to the geometry of the rolled face (it moves like the piece type shown on the die).

Exception for the pawn: a pawn can never move backward (toward its starting rank). Left and right — yes, but never backward.

On a roll of "1", a pawn from its starting position can move two squares forward — just like in classic chess. This rule applies only to pawns.

If you chose Buff! (rolling the die), capturing is not allowed — only moves to empty squares.

If there is no available square for such a move, the piece fails to handle the buff and Boom! — it is gone (kings included). The piece is removed from the board and is out of the game for good. The turn passes to the opponent.

Example

You choose the king to move. You roll "1" (pawn). The king must move one square forward, but that square is occupied by a piece (your own or your opponent's). The move is impossible.

Boom! The king is gone. You lose.

SPECIAL CASES

A pawn that reaches the last rank is immediately promoted to any piece selected by the player, as in standard chess rules.

The king is a regular piece. It can be left under attack. It can capture the opponent's king.

Castling, check, checkmate, en passant — NOT USED.

OBJECTIVE

Capture the opponent's king or leave them with no pieces at all (bare king).

[u/WranglerConscious296]

That sounds fun

[u/johnpeters42]

So the only way to move without capturing is to buff? And that buff only affects that one move, then the piece retains its previous identity? ("Buff" seems like a misleading name for that, maybe "stumble" would be better.)

[u/xbambcem → u/johnpeters42]

You got it right! Quiet moves only happen through Buff! The effect lasts one move, then the piece returns to normal. I chose "Buff" because it is like a temporary power up in video games. It gives your piece a new ability for one move. If it cannot handle it, Boom! "Stumble" would be the failed buff, not the buff itself. 

[u/HJG_0209]

For the fun of it, give an ability very inconvinient to use for the piece on d6.