3D chess is an example of a chess variant. Three-dimensional chess has existed since the late 19th century. One of the oldest is Raumschach (German for space chess), Raumschach was invented in 1907 by Ferdinand Maack it was played on an array of 5 x 5 x 5 boards. Maack founded a Raumschach club in Hamburg in 1919, which remained active until the Second World War. Probably the most familiar 3D chess variant of the 20th century, and early part of the 21st century, is Tri-Dimensional Chess from the Star Trek television series and movies.
During the latter part of the twenty first century there have been many variants of chess (and 3D chess) created, however, a majority of these innovative and highly imaginative games were developed primarily for the internet and the video game market. Though standard chess is still prominently being played in clubs, tournaments and schools, will 3D chess has yet to make a prominent presence in these venues.
It has been a dream of mine to someday see 3D chess with a more prevalent presence in the chess universe. I had watched and waited with giddy anticipation through the better part of my teen years waiting to see if 3D chess would ever be featured in any of the chess tournaments I used to watch. Even though I was never a big fan of chess, probably because I was just a modest player, but I still had hoped and dreamed to someday see chess players scrutinizing over a multilevel chess array, an actual 3D chess set! But it has never come to pass. So, decided I would create one, and after many years of trials and tribulations, I created -- The Tower: 3D Chess Set. I hope someday that The Tower: 3D Chess Set will become the quintessential three dimensional/multilevel chess set for the world wide chess community.
THE TOWER SET UP FOR THREE LEVEL PLAY
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THE TOWER WITH SET UP FOR FIVE LEVEL PLAY
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The Tower: 3D Chess Set is truly a marvel of construction and design, t will be made of oak wood and comprised of sixteen (16) interlocking pieces: a base, eight arms and eight platforms. The individual pieces will socket together freely requiring nether skill, nor tools. Once assembled the eight levels and tiers will rotate and revolve independently 360' in either direction; and the eight platforms will accommodate a variety of chess boards up to 16” x 16” and pieces with a King up to 4.75” in height; moreover, The Tower: 3D Chess Sets will stand a mere 3' 6” tall.
Although The Tower: 3D Chess Set will be marketed as a standalone device, and will not require the purchase of boards, pieces, or rules; I decided to create a variant of my own called; The Tower Siege Game, and the Basic Rules Of Three Dimensional/ Multilevel Chess. Bear in mine that this is my own interpretation of 3D chess, unlike standard chess, It presupposes 3D chess as a multilevel tower siege. Try it at your own risk! But if you do (and whether you like it or not) me an email and tell me all about!