What is the best chess variant ?

Gothic is the best in my opinion

A rectangular board may not exactly be pleasing to the eye. One small minus

A square is also a rectangle.

The game above shows Doug Dysart (USCF 1950) as black playing tough against game inventor Ed Trice. White gave up the Light Exchange early (chancellor for archbishop) then the medium exchange later (queen for chancellor) to be down the equivalent of the heavy exchange (queen for archbishop ). Yet the archbishop delivers the win. Proof that you can’t rely on piece weights alone to guide your play,

But some rectangles are not squares

So Why didn't black play Bxb2 around move 29 and later about move 31 Cxc4 when he had the chance?

Is variant chess a limited thing in India @astrologerdevanand

As for black's Bxb2 it would fall into a trap where white can sweep away all of the queenside pawn after Ng3 [reveals the Queen attack the B on b2) so Bd4 then Rb2 and the black pawns will fall like dominoes.

Another great attacking game

George Tsavdaris of Thessaloniki shared this game recently but it was from 2004 USA vs. Greece! Purple diagrams are side variations

bobby Fischer fan (joke)

I think Three-check is the best variant for training, but Atomic and Giveaway are also fun.

"What is the best chess variant?" --> so I asked ChatGPT:

The "best" chess variant depends on what players value most in a game—complexity, creativity, accessibility, or novelty. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular and highly regarded chess variants, each excelling in different ways:

1. Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess)

• Why It’s Great:
  • Invented by Bobby Fischer, this variant randomizes the starting position of the back rank pieces while maintaining certain rules (e.g., bishops on opposite colors, king between rooks for castling).
  • It eliminates opening memorization, focusing instead on creativity and adaptability.
• Ideal For: Players who enjoy classical chess but want a fresh, fair challenge every game.

2. Bughouse

• Why It’s Great:
  • A fast-paced, team-based variant where captured pieces are passed to your teammate and can be placed on their board as your own.
  • Encourages teamwork, rapid thinking, and dynamic gameplay.
• Ideal For: Social players and those who enjoy chaotic, high-energy games.

3. Crazyhouse

• Why It’s Great:
  • Similar to Bughouse but for two players. Captured pieces can be redeployed on the board as your own.
  • It introduces endless possibilities for tactics and attacks.
• Ideal For: Solo players who love tactical complexity and resource management.

4. Three-Check Chess

• Why It’s Great:
  • The objective is to check the opponent’s king three times instead of delivering checkmate.
  • Prioritizes attacking play and rewards aggression.
• Ideal For: Players who enjoy sharp, tactical games.

5. King of the Hill

• Why It’s Great:
  • You win by moving your king to the center (d4, d5, e4, or e5), creating unique strategic challenges.
  • Balances offense and defense in a creative way.
• Ideal For: Players who enjoy positional play with a twist.

6. Atomic Chess

• Why It’s Great:
  • Capturing a piece causes an "explosion," removing all adjacent pieces (except pawns).
  • Requires entirely new strategies, emphasizing pattern recognition and unconventional thinking.
• Ideal For: Players who love novelty and explosive tactics.

7. Horde Chess

• Why It’s Great:
  • One side controls a "horde" of pawns, while the other has the regular chess setup.
  • Tests how to handle asymmetric forces effectively.
• Ideal For: Players who enjoy unique, unbalanced challenges.

8. Duck Chess

• Why It’s Great:
  • A "duck" piece is placed on the board each turn to block squares and disrupt play.
  • Forces creative tactical thinking by introducing a persistent obstacle.
• Ideal For: Players who like puzzles and innovation.

9. Capablanca Chess

• Why It’s Great:
  • Played on a 10x8 board with two new pieces: the Archbishop (bishop + knight) and Chancellor (rook + knight).
  • Adds depth and variety without straying too far from traditional chess.
• Ideal For: Those who enjoy expanded boards and increased strategic complexity.

10. Apocalypse Chess

• Why It’s Great:
  • Each side has two knights and five pawns. The smaller board and unique setup create an intense tactical experience.
• Ideal For: Quick, sharp games with a focus on piece coordination.

Honorable Mentions

• Mini-Chess: Smaller boards for faster gameplay.
• Fog of War Chess: Adds an element of hidden information.
• Quantum Chess: Incorporates principles of quantum mechanics.

Conclusion

If you prefer innovation without losing the essence of chess, Chess960 is often considered the best. For those who love social, fast-paced play, Bughouse or Crazyhouse are favorites. If you enjoy tactical challenges, Three-Check Chess or Atomic Chess might be your best bet.

Would you like a detailed guide or strategies for any of these variants?