Powerchess, Chess Infinitum; Art and Lucy

By Frank “Boy” Pestaño
Chessmoso

Powerless is a chess variant and a product of love and determination by Cebuano inventor Gamaliel Perez Jr. Frustrated at what he termed as inadequacies of the standard game, he has created a dynamic variant that is creative and full of life.

The game uses an ordinary chessboard and standard pieces. However, he has added four new characters of two sets each: Mage, ranger, archer and guard.

The mage can move to any square with the same color it occupied at the start of the game. It captures diagonally the opponent next to him. Its limitation is that it has to move adjacent to the opponent first before it can capture.

The ranger’s movement is equivalent to two successive knight moves as long as there is no enemy blocking the first knight move. The archer moves like a king and captures like a queen but its range is limited to three squares with one significant difference – after capturing a piece, it returns to its previous position.

The guards are the defenders of the king and are skilled in hand-to-hand combat. When near the king, it may assume a knight, rook or bishop move, whatever is necessary to defend the king. When it is not near the king, its moves are limited to like that of a king.

The object of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king. There is no stalemate. A game can also be won by marching your king to the eighth rank safely. This is called the powerbreak.

The price of an upgrade set is P200 available from the inventor at 0927-571-9479.

CHESS INFINITUM. This chess variant is invented by another Cebuano, chess patron Boojie Lim. It uses a semi-10x10 board and standard chess pieces, except only six pawns are used and there is an additional piece called the wizard.

If we label the 10 horizontal lines as a-j, there are only eight squares in line a and b, and also eight in line i and j. The placement of the white pieces are: rook at c1, pawn at c2, knight at d1, bishop at d2, pawn at d3, queen at e1, pawn at e4, king at f1, wizard at f2, pawn at f4, Knight at g1, Bishop at g2, pawn at g3, rook at h1 and pawn at h2. Black pieces are placed in the same positions at the opposite board.

The square e2x e3 x f2x f3 is known as the infinitum space and any piece inside it acquires additional mobility. This concept is unique, original and proprietary.

In the infinitum space, a rook, knight and bishop moves as if it were occupying any of the four squares inside the infinitum space and can control a maximum of 35, 24 and 37 squares, respectively.

The queen or wizard moves as if it were occupying any of the four squares inside the infinitum space and can control a maximum of 61 squares. The king moves as if it were occupying any of the four squares of the infinitum space and controls a maximum of 15 squares.

The king can castle kingside (two options: Kh1 and Rg1 or Kg1 and RF1) or queenside (three options: Kc1and Rd1, Kd1 and Re1, Ke1 and Rf1).

An infinitum board and two wizards cost only P100, available from Lingky Yap at (032) 414-9187.

LOGIC PUZZLES. Those who were able to solve all three logic puzzles last week were Marvin Brian Omandom, Rey Jose Z. Edmilao and Dr. Art Padilla of the US.

Here are the answers: 1. Bulbs – switch on any and wait for a while. Switch it off and turn on another switch and go to the bulb room. The first switch is connected to the hot bulb. The second switch is connected to the lighted bulb. 2. The man in the elevator is a midget. 3. Sheik – Switch camels.

ART AND LUCY. I think that everyone agrees that a true friend is hard to find.

At my age, I know probably a thousand people whom I call by their first names.

They are called acquaintances, associates, classmates, co- employees, chess playmates and relatives, but only a few qualify as true friends. A true friend indeed is Art Ynclino, whom I admire for his sincerity and innate goodness.

Art and Lucy Rivera will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Aug. 13 at the Shrine of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, Archbishop Compound along D. Jakosalem St.

Their children Alice Angelique and Vicente “Loloy” Atega, Baltazar and Cherry Racaza, Maria Isabel and Roberto “Bo” Varquez, Helen and Boy Bucag and Carmelita will join them in their celebration. Sorely missed is Gerry, but I’m sure will be present in spirit.

Their grandchildren are famous swimmer Andre Josef, Keith Jeremy, April Apple, Mark, Chad Paolo and Charmaine Patricia.

The principal sponsors include Ellery Berciles, Romeo Estrella, lawyer Arturo Ladera, Col. Benjamin Miaga, engineer Frank Pestaño, Jose Velez, lawyer Fermin Ynclino and Dr. Vicente Ynclino.

On the distaff side are Aurora Velez, Ceferina Estrella, Airma Ladera, Patrocenia Miaga, Socorro Atega, Martina Velez, Luz Paulo and Melitona Canoy.

The good Lord has blessed this family and may there be more blessings in the future.