Omega Chess

One thing that we as reviewers always get to see is new versions of old classic games. Stuff like Pac-Man, Mario, and Metroid have dominated store shelves for many adults, and many times we have heard “I loved that growing up, I can’t wait to play the new version”. In addition, old classic board games like Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and even my daughter’s favorite Candy Land have been brought to life through video games. One classic game that has been around since before the time of Christ himself is of course chess, and no doubt gamers all over the world have seen thousands of programs and difficulties, tutors, teaching software, and tons of colorful piece variances added to this ancient and strategic game of wits. One thing that always rings true in each version that comes out though is that it’s ALWAYS the same game and rules, no matter what it looks like, so why buy new software only to get some colorful new graphics to look at? Well, I had a chance to sit down and play Omega Chess, a new standard in chess developed by a gentleman named Dan Macdonald. While Omega Chess retains the same rules as the known and loved classic chess game, it adds some new features that could really help to bring new life into what could probably be called the most long lasting and popular strategy game of all time.

To visualize how Omega Chess works, picture a regular chess board, and add all of the pieces on and know that they can all do the same moves that they are supposed to (Knights are still 3-space jumpers, Bishops still can move X squares diagonally, etc). OK, now add another column to each side of the board, then add a new row at the top and bottom and slide all of the pieces back one row. Got it? Cool. Now, add a single space off of each of the four corners, and you have the board design for Omega Chess. The question you probably have now is “OK, but what goes in the empty corner spaces hanging off of the board and in that empty space next to the rooks and the pawns on the end”? Glad you asked …

The real draw to Omega Chess is the addition of two new pieces onto the playing field … the Champion and the Wizard. The Champions are placed next to the rooks in the back row, with a new pawn in front of them, and the Wizards occupy the single spaces off to the corner … now giving the chess board 44 total pieces to work with instead of the normal 32 (hence the need for a bigger board). This of course offers old players a little something new to work with and learn, and adds new possibilities to the overall playing of the game while keeping the standard chess rules in place. Think of possible strategies with a bigger board and more spaces and traps to set with Knights and the Queen (or your own combination). Think about moving your King into a corner space and building defenses around him. Basically, you now have a lot of new opportunities and strategies to develop.

      
Champion Move

  
Wizard Move

One thing that many chess fanatics notice whenever playing the game is that opening moves and lead ins are normally done through memorization of sometimes hundreds of possibilities and counters to possible opponent openings. The addition of the two new pieces will now force players to think about new combinations and openings, since using one designed to protect or move against 16 opponent pieces does not take into account an extra 6 to worry about, plus with the extra row added in pawns can now move up to three spaces in the opening versus only two. The other thing that helps in this area is that the Champion and the Wizard are both jumpers, and are not hindered by other pieces being in their way. The Champion can move one or two spaces both vertically and horizontally, or jump two spaces diagonally, while the Wizard becomes a new weapon for the Knight savvy players by moving in a modified Knight pattern (three spaces vertically or horizontally and one space over, staying on it’s starting color) or simply moving one space diagonally. As you can see, they can not only jump, but have a couple of different move options as well forcing you to have to keep an eye of them from two different possible threats.

I got the chance to sit down and play a beta version of the game (you can check it out on the official website, www.omegachess.com ) and I can say that as a chess player, although not a great one by any means, I was impressed at the balance that the new pieces had being introduced into a classic and well known title. My main concern here was that they wouldn’t work well or would totally throw the whole game off as I knew it. While it does take some getting used to, two or three games and I now have to try and figure out some new openings and strategies, the new pieces blended in very well to the classic pieces and rules of chess and made it a simple new addition to make the game a little newer and fresher. The real test was letting my younger brother (who is a daily chess player and takes the game VERY seriously) have a crack at it. After three games, he stated that he really liked it, the format and the idea behind it and it is something that he would like to play more of … even though he did have the same “I have to get used to it” comment. But almost any new game takes a few tries to get used to it. My ten-year-old son (also a chess player and fan) played it as well, and he really liked it, especially the new pieces … since he is into the whole Wizards and Warriors thing (like his Dad of course).

Now, before you hop into the car or send a bunch of e-mails asking when this will be released, there is no definite release date to it at this time. Also, know that Omega Chess may not be packaged by itself up front, but rather as an addition to classic chess software, giving players a good opportunity to pick up a kind of “two for one” deal. Play Omega Chess, but also have the option of playing the regular version if you are simply a chess purist, or switch back and forth to mix it up a bit. Some of the top chess players in the world have played the game, enjoyed it, and are ready to endorse it as a new chess standard as I understand it, and since approximately 40% of the chess world is ready for something a little newer in the game, this could be what they are looking for. If this write up peaks your interest, head on over to the official website (again, www.omegachess.com ) and check it out and send your thoughts to info@omegachess.com … and Mr. McDonald also would like to request to please send feedback to him at this address as well.
If you enjoy playing chess, you will enjoy playing Omega Chess. I recommend giving it a run.