Conquer the Kings – a four-way variant of chess 26.10.2009– Here's a new angle on our beloved game: four players, who can strategically vary their starting position, and then play independently or join forces to capture the enemy kings. "Last man standing" is the winner. Originator Johnny M. Wahl says that this game is friendlier and more easily digestible than regular chess. He has enthusiastic videos to bear this out. Illustrated report.
Nigel Davies:
A busy person’s opening system Players with interests and commitments away from the chess board often find it difficult to compete against those with more study time. Their opponents come to the board armed with the latest theory and can bash out moves well into the middle game. On this DVD Nigel Davies addresses this issue by demonstrating a simple and easy to learn opening system designed for the busy person.
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Conquer the Kings
Four-way chess by Johnny M. Wahl
According to the author this game was created with two purposes in mind: "First,
for those who already play chess, it is a fresh, exciting take on the classic
game while maintaining the principles of movement and strategy that made the
original so beloved. And second, for anyone who may have been intimidated by
the original game, Conquer the Kings allows for learning to be had in a friendlier,
perhaps more easily digestible manner. What's most intriguing is that neophytes
and experts alike can sit at the same table and, at times and when necessary,
join forces to reach the ultimate goal: Conquer the Kings!"
While you are contemplating Johnny Wahl's words and perusing the images below,
you may want to listen to the Conquer the Kings theme song in the background.
Click on the Play button to listen.
There are also two videos at the end of this report that demonstrate the game
and its rules in vivid, enthusiastic fashion.
Conquer the Kings – basic equipment and setup
Each player starts behind their respective "Front Line" (the four
rows closest to the player). Each has 16 pieces, exactly like in chess, and
is allowed to place these on the 18 spaces provided anyway he or she likes.
This allows setup strategy to be player specific and not board specific (as
in chess).
Basic starting position for one side
Starting a game with the Basic Setup on all four sides
the "King's Defense" strategy setup
The "Chaos Left" starting setup
Starting strategy for "Arrow" formation
The object of the game is to conquer the other player's king, remove him and
his army from the battlefield and continue until only one king and his army
is left standing. Optionally once a king is captured and removed, the conqueror
takes over the remaining pieces on the board as his own army to continue. A
third variant leaves the remaining pieces on the board to be used as cannon
fodder for the other players – they are obstacles that have to be cleared
to open the board game up for play.
Kids take to the game quickly and with enthusiasm
Experimenting with Conquer the Kings at Hobby Town USA in Kennesaw, GA in June
2008.Hobby Town USA purchased five games in December 08 and has, so far, only
sold one. But the game is on the shelf!
The game is displayed in the World Chess Hall-of-Fame & Sidney Samole
Chess
Museum located in Miami Florida – it is also on sale there in the Gift
Shop
Video instructions
The the following clips Johnny M. Wahl explains how Conquer the Kings
works.
