Ever since Edgar Rice Burroughs introduced the Barsoomian game of Jetan in Chessmen of Mars, exotic chess variants have been a classic staple of Planetary Romance and Sword & Planet adventure stories. Hence, we have the pleasure of introducing Varrak Kress, the closest equivalent to the Game of Kings to be found on the Moon.
Literally “The Board of Honor”, also known as The Duel of Minds, Varrak Kress is a lunarian board game reminiscent of chess. The game is played by three participants on a six-sided board divided into white, black, and grey hexagons, with nine such per side. The participants, referred to by color (white, black, or grey), each control 28 pieces: one Emperor (equivalent to a King), one Minister (equivalent to a Queen), two Destroyers (large aetherships, equivalent to Rooks), three Raptors (small aetherships, equivalent to Bishops), two Chariots (mobile mechanized fortresses, equivalent to Knights), and nineteen Legionnaires (equivalent to Pawns).
Among the lunarian aristocracy, mastery of this ancient and venerable game is highly esteemed and regarded as proof of analytical and strategic thinking. Winning a game of Varrak Kress against a recognized master of the game counts as a significant action and grants 10 Glory Points. Defeating a named NPC of high status counts as a heroic action and grants 100 Glory Points.
If a player character participates in a game of Varrak Kress, it can be played as a kind of combat between the participants. Player characters make attack rolls modified by Charisma, damage is 1d6 modified by Intelligence (though never less than 1), AC is 9 [10] modified by Wisdom, and hp is equivalent to character level × 2 (though never less than 10). Make use of THAC0 or Attack Matrix as usual. NPCs and monsters use HD as in ordinary combat (though the referee may modify this to align with their estimated intelligence and proficiency).
The player with the lowest social status is allowed to make the first move. If the players are all equals (or unable to agree on their relative status), they draw lots (roll dice, the highest number starts). The participant who is the first to lose all their HP has their Emperor captured, and the participant who dealt the final blow makes the capture.