2 | Ranks 1 and 8 communicate. Pawns all go the same way and never promote.
5 In the initial position, it is often possible to win in a few moves by
6 giving check first: that is why this is forbidden.
8 figure.diagram-container
10 | fen:8/8/pppppppp/rkbrnnqb/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBRNKQNR:
11 figcaption 1.Nc3+ would win quickly.
14 Note that since ranks 1 and 8 communicate, a black pawn on the 8th rank
15 threatens a piece on the first rank. For example pawn d6 to d8 would check
19 Due to the unusual pawns rules (they all go the same way: up the board),
20 en passant captures do not exist. Castling is also disabled because
21 the king is vulnerable in both directions.
26 a(href="https://www.chessvariants.com/d.betza/chessvar/race.html")
28 | on chessvariants.com.
30 p Inventor: Ralph Betza (1997)