please look at this game ... published by Sid Sackson in "Gamut of Games' ... it can be played with regular cards, chess cards and even with chess pieces ... game is called Mate, has really nothing to do with chess, beside its name and the depth ... here is the link ... I strongly recommend it, try with cards and you will discover a fantastic game. Completely open (like board games) and will satisfy even our Abigail, lol ...

http://www.chessvariants.org/cards.dir/chesscards/

Andy.