How to play
Alice Chess
Named after Alice in Lewis Carroll's work Through the Looking-Glass. Chess on two boards with pieces moved between the boards.
Starting Position
One board is set up as normal, with the second board remaining empty.
Moves of the Pieces
Pieces move as normal subject to the square on the mirror board being empty. Pieces are captured on the same board
White can make a capture
Pieces can be played on either board .
Pawn Promotion
Normal promotion rules, but only when a square is available on the mirror board for the promoted piece to be placed.
Castling
Castling can only be completed if space exists on both board. That is, the empty squares between the king and rook must be empty on the mirror board too.
Castling is available as the other board is clear
Kingside and queenside castling blocked by pieces on the mirror board.
Castling is blocked queenside - you cannot castle onto the black bishop.
Castling is blocked kingside - the king can't castle past the black knight
You cannot castle through check on either board
¹ Support is under consideration and may be implemented for this variant.
Check and Checkmate
Check and checkmate is possible on either board. A king in check cannot escape by moving to the other board.
Checkmate - black is in check and any blocking movement would result in that piece being transferred to the other board leaving the king still under attack.
Just Check - black can escape check by moving to a square that is not under attack on either board.
Checkmate - black is now unable to escape check on board A, as moving to F7 would result in check on board B when it is transferred over.
Stalemate conditions remain the same as Standard Chess.
Draw conditions remain the same as Standard Chess.
Winning
Checkmate your opponent on either of the boards.
Attribution
- V. R. Parton
Some chess variants are currently playable live and all will soon be available to play as daily/correspondence chess.
For chess variant suggestions please post to the site forums or on socials.