talen314: the whole idea looks interesting, but I see some inconsequences ... you say " Queen- Moves like a Queen if unprotected by a friendly piece" and " Pawn - Moves like a Chess pawn if protected by a friendly piece" ... I think there too many things to remember, at least at the beginning of learning this game ... and why pawn's ability to move differs from queen's ? The other thing is knight-bishops swaps ... I would expect something more original than that ... or, why Queen moves only diagonally if protected ?

I understand that the author has the righ to create anything ... but be prepared for questioning ... it's only for the good ...

Don't take me wrong, I like the idea of protected/unprotected pieces and changing their behaviour ... but I think there should be more uniform (easier) way of assigning new tasks for pieces ... the beauty of new chess variant is not in more elaborate and complicated rules but in depth of the game itself that is the result of ... yes, simple rules ... those who would judge your variant will look at the elegance and balance ... elegance refers to the simplicity and beauty of rules and balance to the internal relationships among different pieces and phases of the game ...

ok, now I stop and will not try to be too smart ... (because I am losing elegance and balance, lol)

Andy.