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Smess

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description Smess Overview

Smess is a commercial chess variant published by Parker Brothers in 1970 and played on a 7-by-8 board. Rather than moving solely according to fixed piece types, its pieces follow directional arrows printed on the squares they occupy, making control of useful routes central to play. The game uses whimsical names, including Ninnies, Numskulls, and the Brain, and was later republished in a rethemed form as Take the Brain.

help Smess FAQ

What is Smess?

Smess is a commercial chess variant published by Parker Brothers in 1970. It uses a 7-by-8 board and changes movement rules through directional arrows printed on the squares.

How do pieces move in Smess?

Pieces follow directional arrows on the squares they occupy instead of moving only according to fixed chess piece types. Players therefore need to control routes and anticipate how the board directs movement.

How is Smess different from regular chess?

Regular chess uses fixed movement rules for pieces such as bishops, rooks, and knights. Smess adds board-based directional instructions and uses a 7-by-8 board, making route control central to play.

Who published Smess and when?

Parker Brothers published Smess in 1970. The game belongs to the commercial chess-variant tradition rather than the standard tournament game of chess.

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