
1475 · Abstract Strategy
Chess
Two players command opposing armies on an 8×8 checkered board, each beginning with the same array of distinct piece types. Every piece has a defined pattern of movement and captures by occupying an opponent’s square. Players alternate moving one piece to attack, defend, develop position, or pursue material and positional advantage. The object is to force the opponent’s monarch into a square where it cannot escape capture (checkmate); games can also end by resignation or various forms of draw. Play emphasizes planning, calculation, and piece coordination within a purely abstract medieval-warfare theme.
- Players
- 2
- Age
- 6+
- Complexity
- 3.6 / 5
About the game
- Design
Expansions
See them in Ludoya
Knightmare Chess1994
Knightmare Chess 21998
Knightmare Chess (Third Edition)2014
Devil's Chess2020
Spell Chess: an Expansion to Chess2013
Royal Chess1983
Rogue Chess2013
Musketeer Chess2011
Darkleaf Gambit2025
Kingdom of Elbrandt2015
Beguile: PaWN The Enemy2014
Code Geass: Knightmare Chess2018
Castle-Mate2016
Super Chess2018
CHUCK-A-CHESS1993
Capto Chess2023
Chess Mixer2011
Zugzwang2025
Chess Expansion: Wheel of Fortune2025
Chess: Counterstrike2024
Fairy Tale Chess2015
Heretik Chess2016
x-Chess: the First Mutant2022
Chess Equalizer1990
Chess Mage2022
Epic Chess2014
Fantasy Crusaders Chess2017
Forgotten Kings2026
Sovereign's Stratagem: Original2026
Военно-морская игра1907Photos from Ludoya tables
All photos in LudoyaWhere to buy it
Shop prices and second-hand copies, checked every day.
On Ludoya's tables
Full stats in Ludoya- 1,875
- Plays logged
- 343
- Players
- 17m 43s
- Average play
- 209
- In collections
- 5
- On wishlists
- 1
- Pre-ordered
7.0/10
from 105 Ludoya reviews
José [ホセー]10.0 I know it, you know it, everybody knows it. Nothing to add.
- Base -
Rules questions
Answered from the rulebook by Ludoya's rules assistant.
Can I castle if my king would have to pass through a square that is attacked?
No — castling is not allowed if the king is in check, would cross over a square that is attacked, or would land on an attacked square; castling is also lost if the king or the chosen rook has previously moved (see pages 6–7).
If an opponent moves a pawn two squares past my pawn, how long do I have to capture en passant?
You may capture en passant only on the very next move immediately after the opponent’s two-square pawn advance (see page 5).
What pieces can I promote my pawn to — can I promote to another king?
When a pawn reaches the furthest rank it must be exchanged immediately for a queen, rook, bishop or knight of the same colour (the choice is not limited to captured pieces); you cannot promote to a king (see page 6).
I accidentally touched a piece — am I forced to move or capture it?
Yes — except when adjusting pieces after announcing your intention, if you deliberately touch one of your own pieces you must move the first touched piece that can be moved, and if you deliberately touch an opponent’s piece you must capture the first touched piece that can be captured (see Article 4, page 7).
Is stalemate a win or a draw?
Stalemate is a draw: the game is drawn when the player to move has no legal move and his king is not in check (see page 8).
How do I claim a draw by threefold repetition or the fifty-move rule?
A player having the move may claim a draw: for threefold repetition either before making a move that will produce the repetition by writing the move and informing the arbiter or after the position has just appeared; for the fifty-move rule the claimant must write the intended move and declare to the arbiter or claim once the 50 moves have occurred; incorrect claims have specified penalties and the clocks may be stopped when making the claim (see page 13).
Free, on web, Android and iOS
Play Chess with Ludoya
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Game facts (players, playing time, age, credits) from BoardGameGeek.


































