Bughouse chess

The Tandem Chess ( also called 'the bughouse chess, chess also exchange, conference or Berlin quad) is a variant of chess, in which two chessboards four players, two sitting side by side, playing against each other in each case together as a team. Every single player playing with his teammates ( who has the other game color) against his direct opponents board, whose slanted seated team partner and against time. The winner was a team when the opposing team gives up on its timeout or any individual board Matt. Basically the normal rules of the World Chess Federation FIDE apply.

However, when a figure beaten, this is passed to the partner, who may use them instead of a train on his own board on a free field. For the insertion of characters, special rules apply (see below).

If a player wins by timeout or by checkmates his opponent has won his team, the other part is considered finished. If the clock expired by one player of a team or for conversion of a player of a team at the same time his opponent Matt, the fight is a draw.

Without the use of chess clocks tandem chess is not playable because of the time factor plays an important role: Without a running clock would be a player who is directly in front of a checkmate or a figure loss, not forced to move at some point.

• 2.1 The opening
• 2.2 The value of the figures
• 2.3 The game in team

Rules for the insertion of figures and pawn

For inserting different rules are common. First, the rules should be presented, applicable on the chess servers and used on international tandem Tournaments:

• Figures may be used in both chess and checkmate - bidder.
• Farmers may be used either on its own or on the opponent's home row (ie only on the rows 2-7)
• Farmers that reach the opponent's home row, are from then on like a lady (or at the request of the player like a rook, bishop or knight ) to treat ( Pappdame ). If they are beaten, but they can only be used as farmers turn.

Other rules for the insertion with chess bid

Different rules for the insertion of chess are widely used:

• Figures may not be used so that they provide chess
• Or shapes may be used such that they provide chess if doing no checkmate occurs.

Other rules for the insertion of farmers

• Farmers may be used up to a maximum of 6 or 7 (or third or second ) row.
• Or farmers may not be used.
• Or farmers may be used up on the opponent's home row (ie, rows 1-7) everywhere.

Other rules for converting farmers

• The player that converts the farmer must, be an arbitrary figure ( except king and peasant ) from the board of the player from the other team take ( pull out or grab ) that has the same color as he is, and use them for the farmers. The converted farmhouse is then passed to the opposing team. If no suitable figure for insertion present, the farmer can stay on his field, up on the second board, a suitable figure is employed.
• Or farmers as farmers remain on the 8th row are set and can not move. They remain there until they are beaten.
• Or farmers on the 8th row for the basic series lady. This can only roam on the home row ( and beat ), but also offer a king outside the home row chess. A white pawn on a8 So for example, offers a black king on b7 chess, but can not beat a black queen on b7. If the basic series Dame defeated, they can only be used as a farmer again.

Strategy

The opening

The suit is great advantage in tandem chess, a popular strategy is to sacrifice the king knight on f7 and draw out the black king, where he is attacked by inserted figures, particularly more jumpers. If the king only once in the open air, his chances of survival are usually very low. The King of Springer f7 reach from the base position in only three moves and will hardly prevented because the pawn f7 - f6 ( Springer fields e5 and g5 to deny ) very quickly with the result that a white pawn on f7 is used, which can have catastrophic consequences. A possible defense against 1 Nf3 Nc6 is, for example, in order to prevent second Ne5, and after 2 Sg5? covers black with Sh6 the weak point f7.

Often the diagonal a2 - g8 is used to attack, to which also is the weak point f7.

Castling is often found in tandem chess as disadvantageous. This is due to the weakness of the farmers on the g - and h- line (for short castling ) and a- and b- line (for long castling ). Instead of a neuralgic point in the initial position ( f2 and f7 ) therefore creates one by castling two. In addition, the defense is generally aligned with a centrally placed king, since the attack usually occurs very early. Now castled king on a grand piano, the attacker can easily move through newly inserted figures the attack than the defender can establish a new defensive position. Also widespread is the bunker technique in which the figures are mainly in their own half of the board. A variant of the bunkering is to play after 1.Nf3 f6

The value of the figures

The value of the characters shifts to normal chess easily. Springer have the particular advantage that a bid of a knight chess set can not be blocked, but must be parried with a Three Kings, when the jumper can not be beaten. Farmers are dangerous, since they are used on the 7th row and then very quickly - depending on the variant played - can be transformed. One for inserting held ready lady is very dangerous as they appear anywhere and because of their possible moves can be many Matts. Towers are somewhat weaker than in normal chess in general. However, the figure value is almost entirely dependent on the specific position.

The figure values ​​are roughly

• 2 = farmers = Springer runner = tower
• 4 farmers = 2 Springer / runner / towers = Lady

In tandem games much material is often sacrificed in order to obtain concrete benefits or position to provide his partner a required figure.

The game in the team

Is also very important to keep the situation in the neighboring board in mind. This is particularly true when the exchanging pieces is possible. It is recommended that in any case before the exchange of heavy figures, to ask his partner whether it's dangerous for him. Also you should always inform his partner when a certain figure for a self is just very dangerous, or even result in the immediate Matt.

Tandem Chess is a team game. Without coordination with the partner you have a major drawback.

Reflection scheme

Tandem chess should be played with a time limit restriction, since it would otherwise be possible, adjust playing in a defeated position and hope for the victory of the partner.

Usually blitz games (eg, 5 minutes per player) played, adding a further tactical moment arises. One must weigh namely, whether one ever again - if you are on the train - can wait for the partner can provide a needed figure for insertion, or whether one is forced due to the residual reflection to do without the coveted figure.

Become games played with Fischer- reflection, eliminating this tactical moment. On the chess servers and tournaments will hardly played with Fischer- reflection.

Criticism

Critics of this chess variant note that one the normal chess " unlearn " as tandem chess differed greatly from it. GM Levon Aronian, has expressed this:

"Tandem chess is good for experienced players. But for beginners, it could cause the negative effect. Because if you do not have game experience concerned the situation, the player will lose in tandem chess and he will not waste the time to turn to the more difficult aspects of chess. I started with tandem chess when I was already a grandmaster. And I think, Tandem chess is good for the ' fantasy ' to form new ideas and techniques. "

Modifications

A reduced variety of the tandem chess is the chess mini chess from the Hamburg Youth League.