What Is a Chess Variant? A Plain-English Guide
2026-06-05
Chess variants change the board, the pieces, or the rules of standard chess. Here is what they are, the main kinds, and why millions of players love them.
Guides to chess, advanced strategy, the future of the game, and the world of chess variants. New articles added regularly.
2026-06-05
Chess variants change the board, the pieces, or the rules of standard chess. Here is what they are, the main kinds, and why millions of players love them.
2026-06-05
Where does a 1500-year-old game go next? Toward variants, larger boards, new pieces, and rules the players design themselves.
2026-06-05
Four times the squares is not just more of the same. Here is how a 16x16 board changes opening, middlegame, and endgame strategy.
2026-06-05
Chess variants are having a moment. Here are the kinds of new chess games drawing players in, and what makes a variant worth your time.
Ready to try it yourself? Play in your browser or see how programmable pieces work.