Fictional Chess Variants.

Okay I make this thread as a one stop shop for chess variants for works to hash out the rules and concepts of said variants. Inspired by some posts I made in the name and question threads a while back.

To start, I have an idea for a variant that evolved into a spectator sport [[Human chess featuring humans (and other sentient lifeforms) as the pieces]]. As well as more active combat as a result. (Also serving as the mechanical basis for an RPG battle system). A response to the aforementioned posts by TitanJump suguessted mechs piloted by people serving as the pieces instead.

The King in both cases serves as the analogy to Association Football's quarterback and the players of the tabletop game, the leader and tactician of the team of 16 that naturally would end the game with their side's loss if captured by the opponent. The team is also forced to take any status ailments or buffs that the King is inflicted by in variants where those are allowed (likewise their respective pawn has a similar effect, but limited to the other 7 pawns)

I'm hoping to this thread for more in depth takes on the idea, and then help others with their own chess variants.

No Game No Life had a similar chess variant, and in the anime, part of the strategy was to boost your pieces' morale, since you needed them to make sacrifices

I see, that does make sense, though my take is less...lethal than that your post implies of that scenario.

I suppose I should broadened it to the culture surrounding said variants and the responses as well. Like for example inquiring about how the chess sport thing might regulated to prevent cheating with harm coming to the players.