Basic Information
Usage	Magical Board Game
Manufactured by	Not specified

Overview

Wizard’s chess - or wizard chess - is the magical variant of Chess, a classic board game. In Wizard Chess, the pieces are enchanted to move on their own accord when commanded by the player. If a piece was taken, it would be removed by the attacking piece, often done in a barbaric manner where the losing piece would be smashed violently. Players who were particularly talented and famous could earn the title of Wizard Chess Champion or chess master.

Description

The chessboard has 64 squares arranged in two alternating colors - black and white. The Chess pieces - also known as chessmen - are the king, the queen, the two rooks, the two bishops, the two knights, and the eight pawns. The chessboard and chessmen are exactly like the Muggle version, but they are magically animated, which is most likely done with Piertotum Locomotor. If the set got damaged, it would have to be sent to a special place for repairs.

Many chess sets come with two armies. However, when facing another wizard with their own army, a player will typically take one of their own armies to play against the other. So, bringing an army or borrowing someone else’s is sometimes a requirement in a chess tournament, such as the Walter Aragon Wizard Chess Competition. Players would move their pieces by saying the name of the piece and the square to move to by the algebraic notation. Aside from the self-moving pieces, both versions of chess - Magical and Muggle - have the same rules. It can go beyond then the orders to move.

The pieces could fight and squabble if left unattended. Occasionally, players would be offered advice. They were even capable of abandoning chessboards if unhappy with their owner’s moves. In the Chamber, the pieces were stoic and simple-minded. It was possibly due to the size of the pieces affecting the animation charm. It could also simply be the choice of the caster. The set would also start to learn and take the skill of their owners. A vital component to master Wizard’s chess is to form a strong bond with the chess pieces.

Credits/References

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Written by Mila Grace
Base code by Andrew Sutherland, edited by Iselin Merilä and Desmond Gray.