Currierspiel
(Grossenspiel, Grossen-Spiel, Currier-Spiel, Currier-Schach-Spiel, Courier Chess)DLP Game
PeriodMedieval, Modern
RegionWestern Europe
CategoryBoard, War, Replacement, Checkmate, Chess
Description
Currierspiel is an enlarged form of Chess played in medieval and early modern Germany. It was particularly popular and long-lived in the village of Ströbeck.
Rules
8x12 board. Each player begins with a complement of pieces, each with their own powers of movement as follows: King (x1): may move one space in any direction; Queen (x1): moves one space diagonally, may leap two spaces diagonally on its first move over any intervening pieces; Man (x1): moves one space in any direction; Fool (x1): moves orthogonally one space; Courier (x2): moves diagonally any distance; Bishop (x2): moves diagonally two spaces, jumping over any intervening pieces; Knight (x2): moves orthogonally one space and then diagonally another space, jumping over any intervening pieces; Rook (x2): moves orthogonally any distance; Pawns (x12): move forward one space or diagonally forward one space to capture. Only the Rooks' and Queens' pawns may move forward two spaces for their first move. Each player must move the Rooks' Pawns and Queens' Pawn in this way in their first three moves. A piece is captured when an opponent's piece moves onto its space. The King is in check when it can be taken on the opponent's next turn; it must not remain in check at the end of the player's turn. When the king cannot move out of check, it is checkmated and the opponent wins.
