The royal pieces start the game on the central 4 X 4 board. Nearly all other pieces may be moved onto the central 4 X 4 board at its edge spaces, accessible from the surrounding spaces.
Draws are nearly impossible.
There are 2 variants- one featuring royal frozen kings, one featuring royal queens. No pawns or knights are used. Development is faster, more dangerous, less tedious than with standard chess. The theoretical depth is NOT disappointing. Both opening setups have perfect, bilateral symmetry.