zoom_in Click to enlarge

Seirawan Chess

▲ ▼

description Seirawan Chess Overview

Seirawan Chess is a chess variant developed by grandmaster Yasser Seirawan and Bruce Harper. It uses the standard board and starting position but adds two compound pieces for each player: the hawk moves as a bishop or knight, while the elephant moves as a rook or knight. These pieces begin in reserve and may enter when a player moves an original back-rank piece for the first time, adding tactical possibilities while preserving much of conventional chess strategy.

help Seirawan Chess FAQ

Who invented Seirawan Chess?

Seirawan Chess was co-invented by American Chess Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan in 2007. The variant was designed to refresh traditional chess without completely changing its core rules.

What are the new pieces in Seirawan Chess?

This variant introduces two powerful pieces to the standard board: the Hawk and the Elephant. The Hawk moves like both a knight and a bishop, while the Elephant combines the moves of a knight and a rook.

How do the Hawk and Elephant enter the game in Seirawan Chess?

Unlike pawns that start on the board, the Hawk and Elephant begin the game in hand. They can be dropped onto the back rank on a square vacated by a friendly piece, such as a knight or bishop.

Is Seirawan Chess played competitively?

While not as popular as traditional chess, Seirawan Chess has gained a dedicated following online and is played on sites like Chess.com. Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan frequently streams and demonstrates the variant to his audience.

swap_horiz

Looking for Seirawan Chess alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward