What is Chess960?

Chess960 (also called FischerRandom) is just like regular chess... except that the starting position is shuffled to include 960 different possible positions! So you can throw out your opening book, but keep your opening principles. You play the same, but you just have different placement of pieces on the starting row.

The only change in rules is that castling is funky - when you castle, the king/rook end up in the same position as when they castle in regular chess (king on g-file and rook on f-file for kingside, king on c-file and rook on d-file for queenside).

The 960 comes from the number of different possible starting positions where there is a rook on each side of the king and where there are bishops of opposite color.

To start a 960 game, go here: http://www.chess.com/echess/create_game.html and under Advanced Options choose Type: Chess960. Or, find a game here:  -> http://www.chess.com/echess/open_invites.html

Enjoy!

(For more info, read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess960 )

I already check it out and like it so far!!! thank you!!!

and one more thing don't use game explorer because it is based on standart position games...

I started a game of chess960 and got up to move 9 but after tring to play the move 9...kb8 a failure page appears.

This is the game: http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=22994234

Can you try and fix the bug.

(I am using Windows XP and Firefox3.5)

im glad chess.com got chess 960.  thank you

I was playing my first game in chess 960 and after my opponent made his 15th move a second king magically appeared on my back rank.  I couldn't move it but I couldn't move any pieces onto that square.

I 'm not sure if I like 960 chess setup, we'll see later.

I'm in a match right now. It's fun

Hi guys,

This is a great variation on standard chess.  You will like it, I do.  There are otb tournaments and a world champion for this variation.  Years ago, I played a variation of this variation which was called transactional chess.  In that game both back ranks were scambled differently from each other.  That meant that games had to be played as doublets against each opponent.  Both players played one game as white and one game as black.  That was a blast!

Watch your backrank.

Regular chess is still good for me

 Of course it is, but this makes you think about your opening moves. Very tactical.

that is chess 960

Thank you for this :)

Game explorer does not seem to work with it though

tongue in cheek

I'm finding gaining (or losing) tempos key in the opening as are the threats of spoiling castling. I have I think four games on the go. I'm really enjoying them. :)

 It was just a friend who challenged me. His username is ADK

Thanks, I was not completely sure how to play...

I enjoy this variation.  Will this ever be added to live chess?

Okay you know what... chess 960 is AWESOME.  I've always been that type of person that says regular chess is enough of a challenge for me... but 960 is so relaxing!  ... wow I Love it.

Hey erik, will you eventually allow Chess960 in team matches and vote chess? I think it'll be pretty interesting since all that database use will go out the window in vote chess games.