Shuuro

Shuuro is the core of a new system of abstract war gaming, where you are in command of armies of chess pieces. Differently from traditional chess, you are not forced to field a given set of pieces on the board, but can choose which pieces to field, based on your skill and tactical preferences. The innovative gaming board features terrain elements that change position every time you play, so that each game introduces a different challenge.
Shuuro is a game for two players, which merges the precision and rigor of chess with the creativity and variety of war-gaming.

It does so by attaching a points value to each traditional chess piece and allowing the players to spend a predetermined amount of these points (say, a total of 800 points) to select the chess 'army' that they think makes the best use of the points. This creates a feeling of 'ownership' towards the particular combination the player thinks is the most effective.

The 'battle' will then take place on a large chess board of twelve by twelve squares. This board, however, also introduces a new and unique element to the game. Each of the four six-by-six quadrants of the board contains two plinths that block the movement of the pieces. These plinths are placed randomly at the beginning of every game with the help of a dice, ensuring that every game will be different and present unique challenges. The plinths also help in balancing the game, restricting the movement of Queens, Bishops and Rooks, while at the same time allowing Knights to land onto them and using them as defensive positions (as only an enemy Knight can take them while they're there).

It is worth noting that game box also includes a normal chessboard and full rules for traditional chess, making it good to learn chess and allowing players to engage in this great classic as well as the innovative Shuuro.