FOREWORD
TRICHESS (chess for three) has sought to
incorpore the same spirit as classical chess (for two players) ; hence, strategy, logic
and reflexion remain the essential elements of the game.
Unlike games of chance, classical chess was conceived so that two players could oppose
their reflective capacities in a competitive way on a board of 64 squares.
To introduce a third player demands an expansion of the traditional board (i.e. 64+32=96 squares) and requires also a change in the rules. The rules of the new game must insure that each player has an equal chance of winning. In order to maintain the interest of serious chess players, the new rules must also avoid the possibility of two players joining forces against one.
| Indeed, the principle of TRICHESS is to give one player the possibility of using his numerical disadvantage (in terms of points) as a strategic force. |
Being inspired by the notion of sacrifice in classical chess, this elementary principle gives the weakened player new power.
A weakening in terms of points ( 3 < or = ) gives him a sort of semi-territorial immunity and also a dangerous possibility of counterattack. The subjective parameters which are diplomacy or sympathy of one player for another are of no use on the TRICHESS sets. Chances are equal for each player, strategy can only be used on an individual basis. The rule of non-aggression at TRICHESS repositions the players and so a balance is found, because it is not two against one but one against two.