These are some great and creative ideas, thank you!! I will definitely take them into consideration. Yes, the key is to add counterplay from the weaker pieces through special behaviour. Perhaps the special moves can be in the context of the actual special moves in real chess. Like the fork move as you said of the knight, or the pawn could be promoted/turned into a queen if it successfully survives a duel. Also, the first time a pawn is used it can have some more power (just like in real chess when it moves 2 squares) - or perhaps a "en passant" like special move. Really appreciate your input!