From: grega@hpcuhd.HP.COM (Number 6)
Newsgroups: rec.games.board
Subject: DragonChess rules here!
Date: 15 Aug 90 17:52:07 GMT
Organization: The Village

Hi,

Since several people are looking for rules to Dragon Chess, here is a posting
of rules which I scarfed off this string some months ago.  Disclaimer: I
haven't played so I don't know how good these rules are.  Anyway, enjoy:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

				DRAGONCHESS (TM) Rules

	Initial warning: This is not the complete article.  I only transcribed
what I thought was necessary in order to get a decent working knowledge of the
rules.  I left out things like "Movement and Capture Notation" and "Strategic
and Tactical Tips".  Enjoy!

	DRAGONCHESS is played on three rectangular boards, with each board
composed of a grid 12 squares wide and 8 squares deep.  The squares are alter-
nately colored light and dark, configured so that a light colored square is in 
the near right hand corner.  The upper board represents the air, the middle
board represents the land, and the lower board represents the subterranian
world.  Each force on the upper board consists of six Sylphs, two Griffons and
one Dragon.  On the middle board, each player has one King, one Mage, one
Cleric, one Paladin, two Thieves, two Heroes, two Unicorns, two Oliphants, and
twelve Wariiors.  Each side's force on the lower board is made up of six
Dwarves, two Baslisks, and one Elemental.  In all, there are 42 pieces per side
for a total of 84 in the game.

	The initial setup is as follows:

		   Starting Position, Upper Board
			     Black
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|G_|__|__|__|Dr|__|__|__|G_|__|
		|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|S_|__|
		|__|__|G_|__|__|__|Dr|__|__|__|G_|__|
			     White


		   Starting Position, Middle Board
			     Black
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|O_|U_|H_|T_|C_|M_|K_|P_|T_|H_|U_|O_|
		|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|W_|
		|O_|U_|H_|T_|C_|M_|K_|P_|T_|H_|U_|O_|
			     White


		   Starting Position, Middle Board
			     Black
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|B_|__|__|__|E_|__|__|__|B_|__|
		|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|__|D_|
		|__|__|B_|__|__|__|E_|__|__|__|B_|__|
			     White


Notation:
	In the following descriptions of how pieces move and capture, squares
on the board(s) are described in algebraic notation, with files (columns)
labeled "a" through "l" reading left to right from white's view point, and
ranks (rows) numbered 1 (nearest white player) through 8.  A numerical prefix
of 1 (upper board), 2 (middle board), and 3 (lower board) designates the board
on which a certain square is located.  Thus, "1a1" is the square in the near
left-hand corner of the upper board, as viewed from white's position, and "3l8"
is the square of the far right-hand corner of the lower board.  Each piece is 
represented by the initial letterof its name except for the Dragon, which is 
identified by "Dr" to distinguish it from the Dwarf piece.  In the diagrams of 
movement that accompany the description of each piece, "m" designates a square 
that a piece can move onto if that square is unoccupied; "c" designates a 
square that can be occupied only if a capture is involved; and "x" designates a
square that can be occupied by a capturing or a non- capturing move.
	Because many pieces can move in three dimensions, nomenclature for 
movement between squares has been standardized as follows:  "horizontal" refers
to a side-to-side move as viewed by the player moving the piece; "vertical" is
a move forward (toward the opponent's side of the board) or backwards (towards
one's own side) aling the file occupied by the piece; and "up" and "down" refer
to movement from one board to another.


THE UPPER BOARD
---------------

	Sylph: The Sylph's move on the upper board is essentially the converse
of the pawn's in standard chess.  It moves forward only, one square diagonally
either left or right, and it can capture a piece on the upper board which lies
directly ahead of it.
	The Sylph can capture an opposing piece on the middle board.  This is
the only way the Sylph can move to the middle board.  It cannot move to or make
a capture on the lower board.  Once located on the middle board, the Sylph 
cannot move except to return to the upper board.  It may do this by moving 
directly upward, in a non-capturing move, to the square it previously occupied,
or by moving to any of the six staring squares for Sylphs of the appropriate
color.
	A Sylph located at 3c4 can move to 3b5 or 3d5.  It can occupy 3c5 or
2c4 by capturing an opposing piece, if one is located on either of those
squares.  After making a capture at 2c4, the Sylph can move back to 3c4 on a 
subsequent turn, if that square is enpty, or it can move to any unoccupied
starting square.  For a white Sylph the legal destinations are 3a2, 3c2, 3e2,
3g2, 3i2, and 3k2.
	A Sylph that reaches the eigth rank of the upper board can move no
further on that board, but it retains the power to capture downward.  If such
a capture is accomplished, the Sylph can regain mobility on the upper board by
moving to one of the staring squares for Sylphs of the appropriate color.

			Sylph (upper board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|m_|c_|m_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|S_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Griffon: When on the upper board, a Griffon moves three squares
horizontally or vertically and then two squares perpendicular to its previous
movement (horizontally if initailly moved vertically and vise versa).  Like a
knight of standard chess, it vaults over the intervening squares (even if
occupied) and only exerts control over the destination squares.  A Griffon at
3d4 can move to or capture a piece at 3a2, 3b1, 3f1, 3g2, 3g6, 3l7, or 3a6.
	In addition, a Griffon may occupy the middle board by a move down to
one of the four (or two if the Griffon is at the edge of the board) squares 
on the diagonal from the square directly below the upper board square it
started from.  A Griffon returns to the upper board by a move to any of the
four (or two) squares diagonally above the Griffon (opposite of the move to
the middle board).  I can move between the upper and middle boards wheter or
not a capture is involved.  A Griffon at 3d4 can move to or capture at 2c5,
2c3, 2e3, or 2e5.
	While a Griffon is on the middle board, it forfeits the power of
flight, and as such it can only move and capture in the squares diagonally
adjacent to it.  A Griffon located at 2e5 commands all of the following
squares: 2f6, 2f4, 2d4, 2d6, 3f6, 3f4, 3d4, and 3d6.


			Griffon (upper board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|G_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


			Griffon (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|G_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Dragon: A Dragon's Movement  and capture powers on the upper board are
a coombination of the moves of the king and the bishop: unlimited along the
diagonals, or one square in any horizontal or vertical direction.  While the 
Dragon cannot move downward, it does have the unique ability to capture an
opposing piece on the middle board which lies in the square directly beneath it
or on any of the squares horizontally or vertically adjacent to that square.
The captured piece is removed from the middle board, but the Dragon remains on
the upper board.  A Dragon at 3c4 could capture "from afar" an opposing piece
located at 2c4, 2c5, 2d4, 2c3, or 2b4.  The rules do not say wheter the Dragon
must move in order for this form of capture to occur, and it does not state
wheter a capture "from afar" may be done immediately after capturing an
opposing piece on the upper board.  I have interpreted the rules in such a way
to allow the Dragon to control the squares on the middle board whether a move
occurs or not, but if a capture is involved on the upper board the Dragon can't
capture "from afar" until the player's next turn (in other the Dragon is not
able to make two captures in one turn, but it can capture without moving).
For anyone using my Dragonchess Pascal program the capture "from afar" may be
accomoplished by selecting the Dragon and moving it to an unoccupied square on
the upper board.  If a capture can occur it will ask the player to select a
piece to remove.


			Dragon (upper board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|Dr|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|


THE MIDDLE BOARD
----------------

	Warrior: The move of the Warrior is identical to that of the pawn,
except that a Warrior cannot advance two squares on its first move.  The
Warrior can move into an unoccupied square vertically ahead of its location,
and it can capture an opposing piece located on either adjacent diagonal square
ahead of it.  The white Warrior which startsthe game at 2c2 can move to 2c3, or
it can occupy either 2b3 or 2d3 by capturing an opposing piece located on
either of those squares.  A Warrior that reaches the opponent's back rank is
promoted to a Hero, in the same fashion that a pawn is promoted.  However,
unlike standard chess, the owning player does not have a choice; a pawn can be
promoted to a queen, bishop, knigh, or rook, but a Warrior can only become a 
Herro.  A Warrior cannot move to or capture pieces located on the upper or
lower boards.


			Warrior (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|c_|m_|c_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|W_|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Oliphant:  The Oliphant for each side start on the corner squares of
the middle board - 2a1 and 2l1 for white, and 2a8 and 2l8 for black.  The move
of an Oliphant is identical to that of a rook - that is, as many squares
horizontally or vertically as desired, as long as no piece interferes with its
path of movement.  An Oliphant cannot move to or capture pieces located on the
upper or lower boards.


			Oliphant (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|O_|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Unicorn:  The Unicorn for each side start on the squares horizontally 
adjacent to the Oliphants - 2b1 and 2k1 for white, and 2b8 and 2k8 for black.  
The move of a Unicorn is identical to that of a knight including the ability
to vault over pieces and intervening squares. A Unicorn cannot move to or 
capture pieces located on the upper or lower boards.


			Unicorn (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|U_|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Hero: The Heroes for each side start adjacent to the Unicorns - 2c1 and
2j1 for white, 2c8 and 2j8 for black.  On the middle board, a Hero moves either
one or two squares in any diagonal direction, with the ability to vault over an
intervening piece on a two square move.  Capture is accomplished in the same
manner.  A Hero can also move up or down one board at a time, going to any
square diagonally adjacent to the square directly above or below its former lo-
cation.  A move back to the middle board is accomplished in the same manner. 
Once a Hero is on the upper or lower board its only move is to return to the 
middle board.  A move from one board to another can involve a capture if so 
desired.


			Hero (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|H_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Thief: The two Thief pieces for each side start the game adjacent to
the Heroes - 2d1 and 2i1 for white, 2d8 and 2i8 for black.  A Thief moves and
captures exactly as a bishop, going any number of squares diagonally as long
as no piece interferes with its path of movement.  It cannot move to or capture
pieces on the upper or lower boards.


			Thief (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|T_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|


	Cleric: The white Cleric starts on 2e1, the black Cleric on 2e8.  The
basic, two-dimensional move of a Cleric is the same as that of the king: one
square in any direction.  In addition a Clericcan move one square directly up
or down, and retains its full movement (and capture) abilities on both the
upper and lower boards.


			Cleric (all boards)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|C_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Mage: The Mage for each side starts on the square adjacent to the 
Cleric - 2f1 for white, 2f8 for black.  On the middle board, a Mage moves and
captures in the same way as the queen, able to follow an unobstructed path in
any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction.  In addition, a Mage can move 
(and capture, if applicable) diectly upward or downward across one or more
boards (it cannot vault intervening pieces).  However, a Mage on either the 
upper or lower boards is limited to a move of one square in a horizontal or 
vertical direction.  A Mage located at 2c4 could move up to 3c4, and on its 
next move go downward two boards to 1c4.  If the Mage then remained on the
lower board, it could only move to 1c5, 1d4, 1c3, or 1b4.


			Mage (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|x_|__|__|x_|__|__|x_|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|M_|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|x_|__|__|x_|__|__|x_|__|__|__|
		|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|x_|__|__|


			Mage (upper or lower boards)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|M_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	King: The King for each side begins on the square adjacent to the Mage
- 2g1 for white, 2g8 for black.  The King moves and captures similarly to a
king in standard chess.  In addition, the King may move (and capture) by shift-
ing one square directly up or down.  A King which has moved to the upper or
lower boards cannot move upon those boards, and must return to the middle board
before it can again move and capture normally.


			King (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|K_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Paladin: The Paladin for each side begins in the square adjacent to
the King - 2h1 for white, 2h8for black.  On the middle board, a Paladin's 
movement and capture abilities are a combination of those of the king and the
knight.  It can also move upward and downward with a knight-like move, i.e.
one board up and two squares horizontally or vertically, or two boards up and
one square horizontally or vertically, and it can vault over intervening pieces
with this sort of move, just as if the move did not involve a change in boards.
Upon the upper or lower board, the Paladin is limited to a king-like move (and
capture) of one square in any direction.  A Paladin located at 3c4 can move 
between board to any of the following squares: 2c5, 2e4, 2c2, 2a4, 1c5, 1d4,
1c3, or 1b4.


			Paladin (middle board)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|P_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


		   Paladin (upper or lower boards)
		 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|P_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
		|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


THE LOWER BOARD
---------------

	Dwarf: Similar to a Warrior, a Dwarf can make a non-capturing move
one square vertically ahead, and captures ahead diagonally.  In adition, a
Dwarf can make a non-capturing move one square in either horizontal direction,
and it can move to the middle board by capturing an opposing piece that lies 
directly above the Dwarf, i.e., the upward move MUST involve a capture.  If a 
Dwarf moves to the middle board by means of a capture, it retains the movement 
and capture powers it has on the lower board, but a Dwarf cannot move to or 
capture pieces located on the upper board.  It may return to the lower board by
a move directly down to an unoccupied square, i.e., the downward move cannot 
involve a capture.  A DWarf on 1d4 could move (without capturing) into 1d5, 
1c4, or 1e4; it could capture an opposing piece located on 1c5, 1e5, or 2d4.  A
Dwarf on 2d4 could return to the lower board by moving to 1d4, but only if that
square is unoccupied.  A Dwarf that reaches the opponent's back rank is limited
to horizontal moves on the board it occupies, and also retains the ability to 
move between the lower and middle boards in the manner described above.


			    Dwarf (lower or middle boards)
			 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|c_|m_|c_|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|m_|D_|m_|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Basilisk: The two white Basilisks start on 1c1 and 1k1; the black 
Basilisks start on 1c8 and 1k8.  A Basilisk moves one square at a time, either 
ahead diagonally or vertically or backwards vertically.  It captures by forward
movement only.  A Basilisk also has the unique ability of "freezing" an 
opposing piece - but not a friendly piece -located directly above it on the 
middle board, such that the opposing piece cannot move until the Baslisk is 
moved or captured.  (This "freezing" is automatic and involuntary; the play 
owning the Baslisk cannot choose not to immobilize the piece, and does not have
to specifically declare that the freeze is in effect.)  If the opposing King is
the piece being "frozen", the King is checkmamted if any other piece attacks it
and the opponent is unable to capture the attacking piece or interpose a piece 
to blunt the attack.
	A Basilisk located on 1d4 can make a move or a capture into 1c5, 1d5,
or 1e5.  It can move to 1d3 if that square is unoccupied, and it automatically
"freezes" any opposing piece on 2d4, or one that is subsequently moved into
2d4.  A Basilisk cannot move off the lower board or (with the exception of the
"freezing" power) capture a piece on any other board.


				Basilisk (lower board)
			 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|x_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|B_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|m_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


	Elemental: The white Elemental starts on 1g1; the black Elemental
begins the game on 1g8.  An Elemental can move one square diagonally or one or
two squares horizontally or vertically.  It captures only on horizontal or
vertical moves.  It may move up to the middle board to make a capture by
moving one square horizontally or vertically.  The upward move can only be
made if a capture is involved, but the downward move can be made without
capturing.
	An Elemental on 1d4 can move (but not capture) into 1c5, 1e5, 1e3,
or 1c3.  It can move or capture into 1d5, 1d6, 1e4, 1f4, 1d3, 1d2, 1c4, 1b4.
It can capture upward into 2d5, 2e4, 2d3, or 2c4.  An Elemental on 2d4 can
move or capture downward into 1d5, 1e4, 1d3, or 1c4.


				Elemental (lower board)
			 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|m_|x_|m_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|x_|x_|E_|x_|x_|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|m_|x_|m_|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|x_|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
			|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


Movement Between Boards

	The general rule is this: if a piece is unable to vault over inter-
vening squares in its basic (two-dimensional) move, then it is likewise un-
able to mve between boards if a piece blocks the path it must take.  Specific
applications for particular pieces are as follows:
	The Griffon, the Hero, and the Paladin all have the knight-like
ability to vault intevening squares, and this applies on any board on any
upward or downward  move made by those pieces.  (The squares directly above
or below the piece in question need not be vacant.)
	The Mage can move from the lower board to the upper board (or vice
versa) in a single move, bu it cannot vault intervening squares.  Thus, in
order for the Mage to trave upward from 1d4 to 3d4, the square at 2d4 must
be vacant.
	The Elemental is something of a special case.  Its move between boards
is a two-step process, and it cannot vault over intervening squares.  Its up-
ward move begins with a shift of one square horizontally or vertically on the
lower board; thus, at least one ofg the square horizontally or vertically
adjacent to the Elemetal must be vacant in order for it to make an upward
move.  The Elemental is even more restricted when moving down from the middle
board; since the horizontal or vertical move is preceded by a move directly
down, the square immediately beneath the Elemental must be vacant in order
for it to make a downward move.


Chess Rules That Do Not Apply

	Two Two conventions of standard chess are not part of the DRAGONCHESS
rules.  The Warrior is unable to move two squares on its first move, and as
such it is not possible for a Warrior to capture en passant as a pawn does.
Also, because of the multiple boards, greater area of play, and larger number
of men, castling is not possible in DRAGONCHESS.


Values of the Pieces (approximation)

	Piece               Value
	-----               -----
	King                infinite
	Mage                11
        Paladin             10
        Cleric              9
        Dragon              8
        Griffon             5
        Oliphant            5
        Hero                4 1/2
        Thief               4
        Elemental           4
        Basilisk            3
        Unicorn             2 1/2
        Dwarf               2
        Sylph               1
        Warrior             1

==============================================================================
|  Greg Anderson  |   hpcuhd!grega      |      grega@hpcuhd.HP.COM           |
==============================================================================
| "It isn't necessary to be rich and famous to be happy.  It's only          |
|  necessary to be rich." -- Alan Alda                                       |
==============================================================================
Xref: sparky rec.games.board:8210 news.groups:17146