Freestyle Chess : How To Play Freestyle Chess

Introduction

Freestyle (Chess 960) derives its name from the 960 possible unique starting positions. The the home ranks are randomized, within some limitations, which makes it distinct from standard shuffle chess.

Invented by world chess champion Bobby Fischer in effort to improve the game by breaking the dependency of experienced playerProfiles on opening theory.

Starting Position

Pawns are placed normal, but the home rank is set up in 1 of 960 possible variations within the following rules.

White and black home ranks pieces are set up identically, including the King and Queen facing each other on the same file.

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One of 960 legal Chess 960 / Fischer Random Chess starting positions

Board is interactive - make a move

The moves of the pieces remains the same as Standard Chess.

Pawn promotion rules remains the same as Standard Chess.

The randomised home rank necessitates change in the standard castling rules. All remain the same as Standard Chess.

Rather than moving two squares along the home rank, the King must move to either side of the Rook regardless of how many squares are vacant between them.

When the King and Rook are adjacent to each other the King must be placed onto the Rook to initiate the castling.

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In this instance, the King must be placed on the same square (C8) for A Side castling, or on to the Rook for H Side castling.

Board is interactive - make a move

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Castling towards the A file will result in a the pieces swappnig position into the regular castling squares.

Board is interactive - make a move

Unlike Standard Chess, it is possible to Castle on the very move in this variant!

En passant rules remains the same as Standard Chess.

Check and Checkmate rules remain the same as Standard Chess.

Stalemate conditions remain the same as Standard Chess.

Draw conditions remain the same as Standard Chess.

Winning conditions remain the same as Standard Chess.

Also Known As

Comments (2)

Show Comments (2)

Russ

8d

The new board interface is being finalised, then it will be available along with a number of variants. Early summer.

Saltaperico

34d

When are we going to be able to play Chess960 on Red Hot Pawn?