3 Most white pieces start "in hand", and promote when reaching 6th rank.
5 figure.diagram-container
7 | fen:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/3CK3:
8 figcaption Deterministic initial position.
11 Shinobi Chess is a chess variant designed in 2021 by Couch Tomato.
12 The chess army (the "Kingdom", black) has invaded the land of the Sakura
13 Clan ("pink"). While initially unprepared and having very few pieces
14 available, the Clan is very resourceful and can instantly recruit and
15 summon allies to defend at a minute's notice!
18 The Clan starts with almost all of its pieces in hand, and can drop them
19 on its side of the board (first 4 ranks) in lieu of moving a piece.
22 | In addition to checkmate,
23 | one can win by bringing the king into the final rank ("campmate").
25 | Stalemate and repetition are both losses.
30 There are five new units unique to the Clan: Ninja, Dragon, Lance,
31 (Wooden) Horses, and Monks. Captains are a new piece available to both
32 sides, but only the Clan starts with one on the board.
33 Ninja, Dragon, and Captains do not promote (see below).
36 The Clan's king is called a Kage (K) and has a different symbol, but the
37 change is purely aesthetic and thematic: it behaves like an orthodox King.
40 li Captain (C) – Moves like a King. Pawns promote to a Captain.
41 li Ninja (J) = Knight + Bishop.
42 li Monk (M) – One-step bishop.
43 li Dragon (D) = Rook + Monk.
45 Horse (H) – Moves only forward two squares,
46 and then one square to the side.
47 li Lance (L) – Moves only forward, like a unidirectional rook.
50 Clan minor pieces are considerably weak. However, with a little
51 resourcefulness, they can trap the stronger Kingdom pieces
52 and even win the battle.
57 Pawns promote into Captains when reaching the 7th rank.
58 All minor Clan pieces also promote upon reaching the two last ranks:
65 | Clan Rooks and Bishops look different, but the changes are purely
66 | aesthetic. Note that the symbol on the Bishop is a
67 a(href="https://handwiki.org/wiki/Sauwastika") sauwastika