Experimental game developer and university professor Pippin Barr has once again released a collection of unconventional chess variations, continuing his long-running project of subverting the centuries-old strategy game. This latest release adds eight new interpretations, bringing the total number of his chess "injuries" to 36.
Barr's first foray into this pursuit occurred in 2019 with eight browser-based variations. His stated aim was to "allow non-players of chess to get a kick out of the game." These initial creations included randomized pieces and altered board conditions, moves that were met with significant criticism from those who value chess's traditional form.
The following year saw the release of further variations, such as "chess plus fog of war" and a version inspired by minimalist artist Sol LeWitt's wall drawings. A third wave of eccentric designs followed, featuring concepts like "chess, but also dressage" and "chess: psionic edition."
The most recent additions to Barr's oeuvre include concepts like "what if chess, but on a travelator," "what if chess, but also Candy Crush Saga," and "what if chess, but slower than drying paint." The core challenge and peculiar charm of these variants lie in attempting to play a standard game of chess within environments that have been deliberately destabilized.
Among the newer variations, "Correspondence" stands out. This particular variant is an online game of chess played directly against Pippin Barr himself. The developer's decision to expose himself to the wider online chess community has been met with bemused commentary.
With this latest collection, Barr's unique and often bewildering take on chess has reached 36 distinct variations. The ongoing series prompts reflection on the nature of classic games and the potential for experimental design to both challenge and entertain.