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This page is written by the game's inventor, M Winther.

External Link: Belfry Chess

The Belfry moves like a rook, but it cannot capture in this way. Instead the Belfry, when it moves, has the power to sling a piece located behind itself to a forward square in the alignment direction. The slung piece, which can be of any colour, is the nearest piece in the opposite direction of the move. This piece is hurled to the square immediately forward of the square on which the Belfry stops. Any enemy piece positioned here is captured. Thus the Belfry can be used for transporting friendly pieces, attacking enemy pieces, or removing enemy pieces from good positions. Pawns can be catapulted to their promotion square, when they are promoted to queen as only alternative. Pawns cannot be catapulted to the first rank, that is, the second rank is the limit. The Belfry's value is the same as a bishop (preliminary estimate).

Belfry : (1) siege tower. Movable wooden towers from which bows and arrows or slings could be aimed at the enemy stronghold. (2) bell tower.

A Zillions program and more information is here.

External Link: http://mlwi.magix.net/bg/belfrychess.htm


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By M Winther.
Web page created: 2006-11-01. Web page last updated: 2006-11-01