ЗiлоḺ АḺв Жа

ЗiлоḺ АḺв Жа (Angry Bird Chess)

Welcome to ЗiлоḺ АḺв Жа (Zilo⁴ A⁴v Ža), a highly tactical, 9×9 chess variant heavily inspired by Shogi. This project combines classic strategic board game mechanics, custom faction behaviors, and a fully realized, fictional Avian-Slavic Conlang with a strict phonology and 4-tone system.

🦅 Game Concept

In this variant, captured pieces are not permanently removed. Instead, they join your Reserve Hand as mercenaries, allowing you to deploy (Drop / Тэ¹са) them back onto the battlefield aligned with your army.

The game is won by achieving Checkmate on the opponent’s unique Monarch:

• Player 1 (Avian Alliance): Led by the Red Cardinal King (ЌаḺраḺл)

• Player 2 (Porcine Empire): Led by the King Pig (ЌаḺраḺл)

🚀 How to Play

Since the entire game is built using standard web technologies, you don't need to install anything! But if you want to download the source code:

1. Download the index.html file.

2. Double-click the file to open it in any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge).

3. Play locally with a friend on the same screen!

Rules

1. Introduction & Core Concept

ЗiлоḺ АḺв Жа (Zilo⁴ A⁴v Ža) is a highly tactical, 9x9 chess variant heavily inspired by Shogi.

The ancient struggle between The Flock (Kâ-Ziloł / Ка¹-Зiло²) and The Porcine Empire (Kâ-Ža / Ка¹-Жа) is represented here through a complete tactical board game. Unlike standard chess, captured units are not lost forever; instead, players capture enemy pieces, recruit them to their cause, and drop them back onto the battlefield.

The game is won via Checkmate (or capture) of the opponent's unique Monarch.

2. The Game Board & Setup

The board is a 9x9 grid. Coordinates are marked with files A to I and ranks 1 to 9.

Starting Lineup

Each player commands a symmetrical starting layout utilizing the primary functional classes. See the screenshot for more info. The monarchs move like regular kings.

A B C D E F G H I

9 [H] [C] [M] [B] [K] [Q] [M] [C] [H] <- Player 2 (Porcine Monarch 'K')

8 [ ] [Y] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [Y] [ ]

7 [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] <- Player 2 Minions

6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] <- Middle Field

4 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

3 [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] [P] <- Player 1 Minions

2 [ ] [Y] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [Y] [ ]

1 [H] [C] [M] [B] [R] [Q] [M] [C] [H] <- Player 1 (Avian Monarch 'R')

A B C D E F G H I

3. Piece Movement Rules

1. The Scout ("Y")

Avian Term: ЅиȽраḺ (Observer / Pathfinder)

• Movement: Moves exactly like a Bishop in chess (any number of vacant squares diagonally).

2. The Charger ("Q")

Avian Term: БиȽтиḺ (Striker / Direct Runner)

• Movement: Moves exactly like a Rook in chess (any number of vacant squares orthogonally).

3. The Bomber ("B")

Avian Term: ЛуꞭтаḺв (Exploding Bird / Demolitionist)

• Movement: Moves up to 3 squares orthogonally (Forward, Backward, Left, Right).

• Special Action (Impact): When the Bomber captures an enemy piece, it creates a small structural blast, removing any block or piece on the immediate adjacent squares (a 3 \ 3 impact zone, centered on the Bomber). The Bomber remains on the landing square.

4. The Jumper ("C")

Avian Term: БиȽзаḺв (Swift glider / Jumper)

• Movement: Moves like a standard Chess Knight (2 squares in one direction, then 1 square perpendicular). It can jump over any intermediate pieces.

5. The Minion ("P")

Avian Term: МӓḺд (Hatchling / Frontline Recruit)

• Movement: Moves 1 square straight forward.

• Capture: Captures 1 square straight forward (it does not capture diagonally).

6. The Sentinel ("H")

Avian Term: ШиḺт (Guarding Shield / Wall)

• Movement: Moves 1 square in any direction (like a King).

• Passive Armor: The Sentinel cannot be captured by long-range diagonal slides (Scouts) or orthogonal slides (Chargers) from more than 3 squares away. They must be approached and captured closely.

7. The Vanguard ("M")

Avian Term: ВоḺјaȽ (Ground Officer / Commander)

• Movement: Moves 1 square in any direction except diagonally backward.

5. Shogi-Style Drop Rules

When you capture an opponent's piece, it is placed into your Reserve Hand. On any future turn, instead of moving a piece on the board, you may choose to Drop (Тэ¹са) one piece from your Reserve Hand back onto the board.

1. Allegiance Shift: Dropped pieces align with your army and move in your direction.

2. Vacant Squares: A piece may only be dropped onto an empty square.

3. No Direct Checkmate on Drop: You cannot drop a Minion ("P") onto a square that immediately puts the opponent's Monarch in checkmate.

4. Legal Movement Rule: You cannot drop a piece on a square where it has no legal moves (e.g., dropping a Minion on your opponent's furthest back row, as it could never move forward).

6. Win Conditions

1. Checkmate: When a player's Monarch (either the Avian Monarch "R" or the Porcine Monarch "K") is under direct attack (Check) and has no legal moves to escape.

2. Resignation: A player may voluntarily forfeit the match if they choose.

#strategy #action #simulation #angrybirds #chess #boardgame