Meet the Dragon Bishop

At the heart of ParadigmChess30 stands the Dragon Bishop — a piece of power, creativity, and energy.

It replaces the two classical bishops and gives them a whole new purpose: to unleash dynamic play and ignite the board.

Movement & Design

The Dragon Bishop moves like a classical bishop — along diagonals — but also gains a short, directional extension inspired by the Xiangqi horse (the Chinese "elephant" piece).

It doesn't jump over pieces like a knight — it glides with precision and purpose.

This hybrid motion gives it the ability to attack and defend from angles unseen in classical chess — creating endless tactical opportunities and deep strategic layers.

Dragon Bishop Movement Paths

Movement Blocked by Adjacent Pieces

Symbolism

The Dragon Bishop isn't just a stronger piece.

It's a symbol — of transformation, balance, and evolution.

It carries the calm wisdom of the bishop and the fierce energy of the dragon.

Concept & Creation

The Dragon Bishop was conceptually designed by Chantal van Niekerk, bringing together artistic beauty and functional strength.

A 3D-printable design is also available, allowing players to bring the Dragon Bishop to life on their own chess sets — blending modern technology with timeless tradition.