Circular Chess

This chess variant follows the basic rules of chess, but adapts them to a unique, circular board. (The board layout was patented in the U.S. by the designers.) The pieces are set up identically to normal chess. A ninth diameter (file) is added, but with unplayable spaces in the first two circles (ranks). This prevents the pieces in the first rank from directly attacking each other. The rules also include castling and capturing en passant. This game is distinctly different from Byzantine Chess and Circular Chess (the latter developed by David Reynolds), using a different board layout, set-up, and rules.