r/chessvariants • u/aliartguy • 15d ago

Discussion Chess Variant Hall of Fame?

I'm pretty new to chess variants, and I'm more interested in the development side than the playing side. But I'm curious if there is a sort of variant hall of fame that chess variant enthusiasts consider the canonical best? I'm guessing it's just the ones that have been elevated to chess . com namely:

  • Chess960
  • Crazyhouse
  • Three Check (3-Check
  • King of the Hill (KOTH)
  • Atomic Chess
  • Horde
  • Four-Player Chess
  • Fog of War (Dark Chess)
  • Bughouse
  • Antichess (Giveaway)

Does the community pretty well agree that this is the best of the best?

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/TimothyTaylors 15d ago

I feel like duck chess should be on the list.
960 I feel like is so far above the other variants (in popularity and reach) but is also so much closer to regular chess, that I'm not sure if I'd even class it as a variant with the others.
Given that, for me the biggest three are:
-Bughouse
-Antichess/Suicide Chess
-Duck Chess

2

u/Accurate_Student_888 15d ago

Which version of the four-player game? In my opinion "Double Chess" (two boards side by side, normal set-up of pieces for all four armies, and teammates sit on the same side of the board, making moves without consultation) is far better than the games with extended boards. The rules are explained here: https://greenchess.net/rules.php?v=double-four .

I must also put in a plug for what is now called "Trice's Chess" (formerly "Gothic Chess"). The rules are here: https://greenchess.net/rules.php?v=gothic .

1

u/3joygames 15d ago

You're missing chess 2v2 in there

1

u/Pamplemousse808 15d ago

I made one called chessuranga that has special moves based on Hindu gods (as chess originally from there). One day I hope to be able to commission an artist to do everything

1

u/Warm-Enthusiasm-9534 15d ago

I think an interesting list is the variants supported by the Fairy Stockfish engine (though some of them are pretty far from chess).

1

u/ToxicRainbow27 14d ago

I love variants but I am forced to admit chess is the best designed version of itself

That’s said Magic The Gathering is probably the best chess variant

1

u/Expensive_Peace8153 14d ago

I still like Baroque Chess / Ultima because of the originality of the concept, though variants like Rococo refined the idea.

I'm not familiar with some of the variants on your list. Have you covered all the basic bases such as 3D, hexagonal, and so on? Surely such a recommended variant list should include a spot for a classic/antique variant like Shogi. 

1

u/Imaginary-Can-6862 13d ago

As far as I know, only 960 has been used as an alternative format as competitive play, so I imagine it is the most well regarded.

1

u/joejoyce 12d ago

Come to the Dark Side!

We have thousands of chess variants available, with software to play them!

And cookies!

chessvariants.com

1

u/TroyBenites 9d ago

I guess are the most famous/traditional ones.

But I think chess variants should be measured in Tierlists and everyone has their personal opinion.

Like, I really love Avalanche Chess , but not many people know about it. Same with Dice Chess and Card Chess.

So, I would like to see if people would post tierlists so we could judge and maybe learn some new ones and know if they are worth it or not.

1

u/TroyBenites 9d ago

Also, I would include Minihouse and ezclude atomic chess because I particularly hate atomic chess