A chess variant includes (a) one of an order 8 board, an order 10 board, and an order 12 board; (b) a conventional chess piece set; and (c) a non-convention chess piece set, wherein the pieces of the non-conventional chess piece set perform non-standard movements defined by a combination of movements corresponding to two or more of the conventional chess pieces. The non-conventional chess pieces have rules associated therewith to govern how the pieces enter the board. The non-conventional chess pieces may also have specialized functions including serving as diodes, transportation pieces, and turning movement pieces. A method of playing the chess variant is also disclosed.