Chapter 5: Questions & Answers

The following questions have been most frequently asked concerning the rules of the game. It is hoped that by your reading these questions and answers, most of your questions will be answered.

QUESTION: If a Rook is on IIE4, can he move to IIIE8 or IH4?

ANSWER: NO. The Rook when changing levels can only move to a cube that is directly above or below the cube he left from. This same rule applies to any piece that can move straight up or down, i.e. Queen, King and Pawn.

QUESTION: If a Bishop is on IIE4, can he move to IH1 or IIIE4?

ANSWER: The Bishop must move only one (1) cube diagonally for each level changed. He cannot move straight up or down or more than two (2) cubes diagonally when changing levels. This same rule applies to the Queen.

QUESTION: Can a piece on one level control all the corresponding cubes on another level?

ANSWER: To control or attack cubes on another level, the piece must be able to move to those cubes. Depending on the piece, just because there is an opponent on its corresponding cube does not necessarily constitute an attack or capture.

QUESTION: Is a piece permitted to move to a cube on one level that is presently occupied by a different piece on a different level? Example: Black Rook on IA1 and White Queen on IIA1.

ANSWER: YES. You must be careful, however, that the opponent does not capture your piece on his next move.

QUESTION: If a Pawn moves from one level to another level and doesn’t advance forward, can the Pawn ever move back to the level and cube it came from? Example: Pawn moves from IA2 to IIA2 for one move and later moves back to IA2.

ANSWER: YES. The Pawn is not moving backwards because in the third dimension, direction is relative to the mass that it is on or leaving from. In this example, Level II is the mass not level I.

QUESTION: Can En Passant apply to different levels?

ANSWER: YES. See Chapter Three, Special Pawn Moves, En Passant for detailed description of the En Passant move.

QUESTION: What is a forward, sideways or backward diagonal up or down? What is a forward diagonal up or down and what pieces use these moves?

ANSWER: The following diagonal moves are used:

1. An example of a forward diagonal up is: IA1 to IIA2 to IIIA3.
2. An example of a forward diagonal down is: IIIA3 to IIA2 to IA1.
3. An example of a sideways diagonal up is: IA1 to IIB1 to IIIC1.
4. An example of a sideways diagonal down is: IIIC1 to IIB1 to IA1.
5. An example of a backwards diagonal up is: IA3 to IIA2 to IIIA1.
6. An example of a backwards diagonal down is: IIIA3 to IIA2 to IA1.
7. An example of a diagonal up is: IA1 to IIB2 to IIIC3.
8. An example of a diagonal down is: IIIC3 to IIB2 to IA1.

Moves #1–8 are used by the Queen. Moves #7 and 8 are used by the Bishop. Moves #1, 2, 7, 8 are used by the Pawns but only can be made when capturing. Moves #1–8 are used by the King but only one level per move is allowed.

QUESTION: Can a Pawn capture an opponent on a cube more than one level away?

ANSWER: NO. The Pawn can only capture on its level or one level away.

QUESTION: Does a Pawn become the piece of one’s choice even if he reaches the end of the board on Level II?

ANSWER: YES. The Pawn becomes whatever piece you wish no matter what level it is on when he reaches the end of the board.

QUESTION: In regular chess, the opening and middle game strategy usually is to get control of the middle of the board for good offense and defense. Is this true in relationship to Level II in 3-D Chess?

ANSWER: YES. Most of the strategy is performed on Level II as this is the center of the game board. It is possible to control most of the game by controlling Level II.

QUESTION: Can a piece be blocked from moving on its level if another piece is in its flight path on a different level?

ANSWER: NO. The piece would move either over or below that piece. Example: Pawn on IIA4. Rook on IA1 moves to IA8.

QUESTION: Is it possible to Checkmate your opponent on Level II?

ANSWER: YES. However, it is more difficult than if your opponent’s King were on Level I or III. To Checkmate your opponent on Level II, you need a considerably more amount of pieces as your opponent can change levels to escape. Therefore, you must be attacking those cubes on the other levels that the King can escape to as well as the cubes on Level II.

QUESTION: To Checkmate your opponent, how much power is needed, and must your opponent’s King be in a corner?

ANSWER: It is generally required that a Rook and Queen be used to Checkmate an opponent. This is not mandatory, however. It is really hard to say exactly what the minimum and maximum number of pieces are needed to Checkmate an opponent because of the flexibility of the King. It also depends upon which level the King is on. You do not need to trap your opponent in a corner, however. The following is a typical Checkmate:

Opponent’s King is on Level I or III. Your Queen is on the cube that is directly over the King or under the King. Your Rook is in a position to protect your Queen. Example: Black King is on IE4. White Queen is on IIE4 and the White Rook is on IIE1.

QUESTION: Because any piece can change levels at any time, what is to prevent them from all moving to Level II without moving any of the Pawns?

ANSWER: Nothing. An entire game can be played without moving the Pawns.

QUESTION: What is the purpose of each level?

ANSWER:

Level I is considered White’s domain. Local manipulating of pieces is done by White on this level.

Level III is considered Black’s domain. Local manipulating of pieces is done by black on this level.

Level II is considered anyone’s level and is generally used to control the moves of Levels I and III. Most of the setting up of your opponent for a Checkmate is done on this level. He who controls this level basically controls the game.

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