Rogue Chess

by Kerl 

Thanks to Moe for suggesting features.

Thanks to Raul Piqueras for helping with sounds.

Sinclair BASIC compiled with MCODER III

March 21st, 2025

CSSCGC 2025 participant. Enhanced version.

You're a rebel pawn fighting against the Tyrant King. Explore the board, collect power-ups, and face the King in the final chamber of this short roguelike inspired by Chess. 

Controls

• Move with QAOP.
• Use items with 1-9.

Combat & Health

• All attacks are frontal (no diagonal attacks).
• Enemies deal 1 HP damage by moving onto the hero.
• The hero deals 1 HP damage by moving onto an enemy.
• Laser Bastion (V) attacks at a distance in straight lines.
• Health: Most pieces have 2 HP (Hero: 9 HP, King: 20 HP).

Enemies & Movement

• Queen (Q): Moves up to 3 squares, alternating between diagonal and straight movement.
• Bishop (B): Moves 1 square diagonally toward the hero.
• Rook (R): Moves up to 3 squares, alternating between horizontal and vertical.
• Knight (N): Moves in an L-shape, jumping obstacles, selecting the best of 6 options.
• Pawn (P): Moves 1 square forward toward the hero.
• Vigilant (V): Stationary, but fires in its row/column.
• King (K): Moves toward the hero if far, flees if close.

Items

• Machine Gun (M): -1 HP to all enemies.
• Firebomb (F): Destroys enemies in a 3x3 area (King takes 5 damage).
• Heal (H): Restores hero to 9 HP.
• Teleport (T): Moves hero to a random position.
• Glue (G): Paralyzes enemies for a few turns.
• Downgrade (D): Converts enemies into pawns or vigilants.