Chess Variants

Explore Chess960, King of the Hill, and Three-Check in one polished royal strategy collection.

20 min · Hard

Choose how to play

Choose the computer or take turns with another player on this device.

First player uses Ivory. Second player uses Onyx.

How to play

Goal

Keep normal chess legality while pursuing the selected variant's extra win condition.

What stays the same across variants?: Pieces move as in chess and you may never leave your own king in check.
What changes in Chess960?: The back rank is shuffled with bishops on opposite colours and the king between the rooks. castling finishes on the familiar king and rook squares.
How do I win King of the Hill?: You win by checkmate or by legally moving your king onto one of the four central hill squares.
How do I win Three-check?: Checkmate still wins, and delivering a third check also wins immediately.
How should defence change?: Defend both normal king safety and the variant objective: central access in Hill or the remaining check count in Three-check.

Controls & accessibility

Some reading · Best on tablet, computer, TV

KeyboardSupported input

MouseSupported input

TouchWhen available

ControllerGamepad ready

Fullscreen: Supported

Accessibility

Screen readerNot available

High contrastAvailable

Reduced motionAvailable

CaptionsNot needed for game sounds

Reviewed for keyboard names, larger text, contrast, motion, and non-audio instructions.

About

Explore three distinct chess rulesets: shuffled Chess960 openings, a race for the center hill, and the tactical pursuit of three checks.

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