chess patch notes

[ursula]

I browsed through MetaFilter Projects the other day and discovered Chess Patch Notes, a guide to historical changes in the rules of the game of chess, described as if they were updates to a massively multiplayer online game. For example:

We wanted to speed up the early game and make sure players can get right into the action, so we're buffing the early game Pawn.

Buff: Pawns can now move two spaces forward if they have not yet moved.

Comments

[eller]

ROFL at "bug fixes" and "buffs"... :D
I knew about most of these rule changes, but the presentation, of course, is what makes this thing awesome! :D Thanks for the link!

[schneefink]

Love this :)
Bug fix: We discovered a bug where the King could use its Castle ability with a newly promoted rook on the other side of the board. This was unintended and has been patched. Kings can now only Castle with rooks on the same rank.
I'd have liked to see everyone's expressions the first time that move was used ^^

[ursula]

I liked the argument about whether promoting pawns to queens promotes bigamy, too ;)

[eller]

I would have more expected some transgender trolling there, honestly ;)

[ursula]

I think we can assume those sorts of egregious trolls don't merit shout-outs in the official patch notes!

[eller]

They did mention the trolls who think introducing a strong female character is SJW-dom! XD

[ursula]

That's because Social Justice Warrior Queens are awesome :)

[eller]

Heh! :D

[yhlee]

Bwah!

[ursula]

Nice icon!

[yhlee]

Heh, thanks! I felt it necessary to create an icon that, uh, accurately reflected my level of chess skill as a Total N00b.

[primeideal]

(here via isis and stumbled upon this old post:) Silly chess problems are where several of these "rule glitches" were first documented/exploited. I like these a lot more than normal chess puzzles! :p

[ursula]

Hi! Love your user name :)

[primeideal]

Thanks! Your blend of interests are a fascinating mix and very relevant to me :D

[ursula]

Speaking of shared interests, I think I might've written you a Middle English poem in an exchange at one point?

[primeideal]

Haha yes, that was you! Thanks again :D ("Doomsday Book" holds up pretty well now, considering.)