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Aussie Chess

A derivative version of Dou Shou Qi with a new game board, animal pieces, and gameplay. Compared to traditional Animal Chess, this version offers richer strategies and variations.

 

This game is the first original board game created by Dreams Dean Studio, with pieces produced through 3D printing.

Meta Fire
During the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season, an estimated 14.3 million hectares were burned and over one billion wild animals were killed. Climate change was linked to the mega fire, according to research. A rapid increase in extreme heat events, coupled with a decline in rainfall in arid areas of the continent, accelerated the lengthening of the fire season in Australia, contributing to the crisis.

The Mega Fire occurred as Dreams Dean Studio was remastering Jungle Chess (Dou Shou Qi), coupled with my bond with Australia from my working holiday, I decided to make an Australian version.

Author: NaveenNkadalaveni
I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license:

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

​Animals

Platypus.jpg
TasmanianDevil.jpg
MonitorLizard.jpg
Python.jpg
Cassowary.modified.jpg
saltwater.crocodile.jpg

Platypus

is one of the few mammals that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Having duck-like bills, beaver-like tails, and otter-footed feet, these animals have a spur on their hind feet that carries venom capable of causing severe pain.  They are mainly found in eastern Australia, including Tasmania.

Tasmanian Devil

are carnivorous marsupials found only in Tasmania. They are about the size of a small dog. It is notable for its muscular build, black fur, pungent odor, screeching noise and ferocity in feeding. Wild devil populations have declined by over 80% since 1996 due to a facial tumour disease.

Dingo

is not a native species of Australia. They are secondary subspecies of wolves. They were introduced to Australia by Europeans in the 18th century, according to historical research. Because Australian native creatures are relatively primitive and incomparable. There is no doubt that dingoes have taken over the local food chain, causing dramatic changes to the ecosystem.

Monitor Lizard

is Australia's largest and the fourth largest lizard in the world. Generally found in the central and western parts of Australia, they eat small animals, insects, and still hunt tiny kangaroos.

Python

There are many pythons in Australia that can reach several meters in length, making them the longest snakes and largest land hunters in the world. In spite of its non-toxic nature, many animals are threatened by its sharp teeth and excellent hunting ability.

Red Kangaroo 

are Australia's largest kangaroos, as well as the largest marsupials. They live in the arid interior of central Australia. Its males have reddish-brown short hair, can reach 1.5 meters in height, and are incredibly muscular.

Cassowary

is one of the world's most dangerous birds. It can grow up to 2 meters tall, with thick legs and long and sharp claws. The speed and jumping power of this animal are very high. Any time other animals or humans invade its territory, it will make a fatal attack, which is quite dangerous.

Saltwater Crocodile

can grow up to six meters long and weigh more than 1000 kilograms. It is the largest of the 23 crocodile species, the largest reptile, and the animal with the strongest bite force in the world. At the top of the food chain, they have almost no natural enemies.

Features

There is a brand new way to play Australian animal chess, with the map being changed into a honeycomb shape.

 

There are four types of terrain: land, river, trap, and animal den. There are places marked with totem positions on the terrain, where animals can be placed at will as starting points.

 

Animal rankings are as follows:

Platypus (1)

Tasmanian Devil (2)

Dingo (3)

Monitor Lizard (4)

Python (5)

Red Kangaroo (6)

Cassowary (7)

Saltwater Crocodile (8)

Victory conditions: Enter the opponent's animal den/eliminate all of the opponent's chess pieces.

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Totem: Animals can be placed at will.

Land

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River

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Trap

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Den

Movement

Chess pieces can move on all types of terrain, and on suitable terrain, they can move 2 squares in the same turn. (Supplementary: When moving, the terrain of the square entered should be considered.)

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Red kangaroos and Cassowary can jump over rivers, but they cannot do so if there are obstacles in the river.

Capture

Capturing method:

  • You can capture opponents of the same level or weaker in front of you.    p.s. Chess pieces can only capture opponents when they move for the first time.

  • Use the "encirclement" tactic, where two pieces surround the opponent from front and back. If the combined level of the two pieces is equal to or higher than that of the opponent, they can capture the opponent without consuming any moves.

  • The same chess piece is attacked twice.

  • After jumping over a river, Red kangaroos and Cassowary can immediately capture the opponent.

Kick

Kick: There are two ways to trigger a "kick":

  1. he "Kick" can be activated after the chess piece has moved one step, regardless of the level, and the opponent's chess piece will be kicked back one step along the direction of the kick. If there is a chess piece or border behind the target, the kick is effective, but the chess piece cannot be retreated.

  2. If two chess pieces in the same line are connected in a line, the "Formation Attack" can be launched to produce a free kick opportunity.
    Scenario 1: If the player's chess piece is one space away from the opponent's chess piece, and the player's chess piece enters the middle space, the kick will be automatically activated.
    Scenario 2: If the player's two chess pieces have already been connected in a line, and the opponent enters the front or back space, they will receive a kick and be pushed back along the direction of the kick, and the whole process only counts as one action consumption.

A chess piece that receives two kicks within two turns will be heavily injured and removed from the board.

Formation

The arrangement of chess pieces can form different formations:

  1. Defense Formation Within a 6-grid range centered on a chess piece, as long as there are companions, their level can be enhanced, which can prevent higher-level opponents from eating them. However, if there are no companions supporting behind a certain direction, it cannot resist the opponent's kick from that direction.

  2. Attack Formation When two chess pieces of the same side are connected in a line, they can automatically trigger a kick (without consuming actions).

  3. Siege Formation When a player's chess pieces surround an opponent's in the same straight line, and the total level is equal to or higher than the opponent's, the player can eat the opponent.

Trap

  • Regardless of friend or foe, when a chess piece is in a trap, its level will be reduced to the lowest, and any chess piece can eat it.

  • A chess piece in a trap cannot eat enemy pieces outside the trap.

  • In the same turn, a piece that enters a trap cannot make a second move, except for the platypus.

Den

  • You cannot enter your own Den.

  • Entering the opponent's Den results in a victory.

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