User Guide:
Game Variants

Besides traditional chess, two optional variations are also availble for games on Caissa.com.

• Chess960. Also known as Fischer Random Chess, this variation randomizes the starting position of the pieces at the start of the game. Starting position is mirrored so both sides have the same strategical and tactical options. Castling rules are slightly adjusted rules since the position of the king and rooks may be quite different from regular chess. Otherwise all standard chess rules apply. For more information on Chess960, see Fischer Random Chess.
• Apollo. This variation removes the special two-square jump as a pawn's first move, restricting pawns to always moving one square at a time. In other words, pawns move the same on their first move as on all subsequent moves. It preserves the general tactical and strategical elements of chess while eliminating most opening theory. It can also be considered an "anti-computer" variant since it favors slower strategical buildups, more closed positions, and fewer opening tactics.

  The name "Apollo" refers to Neil Armstrong's famous quote "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Or, put another way, small steps for pawns are a big gain for humans!