Every Chess Variant (explained)

1. Classic Variants

a. Standard Chess

The traditional game played on an 8x8 board with 16 pieces per player (8 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 1 queen, and 1 king).
The objective is to checkmate the opponent’s king.

b. Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess)

Randomizes the initial arrangement of pieces on the first and eighth ranks, while adhering to specific rules (bishops on opposite colors, rooks flanking the king).
Each game starts with a unique position, promoting creativity and reducing opening preparation.

2. Team and Cooperative Variants

c. Bughouse Chess

Played on two boards with four players (two teams of two).
Players can pass captured pieces to their partner, who can place them on their board.
Victory is achieved by checkmating the opposing king.

d. Double Chess

Involves four players playing in teams on a 10x10 board, each with two sets of pieces.
Players utilize aspect of teamwork while moving and capturing pieces together.

3. Competitive Variants

e. Three - check Chess

A player wins by checking the opponent's king three times.
Standard chess rules apply for movement and capturing other pieces.

f. King of the Hill

Players can win by either checkmating the opponent or getting their king to any of the four central squares.
Standard rules for movement and capturing apply.

g. Atomic Chess

Capturing a piece results in an “explosion” that removes all pieces (including the captor's) in adjacent squares.
Players aim to checkmate the opponent’s king, but capturing the king also results in a loss.

h. Horde Chess

One player has the standard set of pieces while the other has 36 pawns forming a “horde.”
The goal is for the horde to checkmate while the standard player aims to capture all pawns.

i. Racing Kings

Only the kings move, with each player trying to get their king to the opponent’s back rank first.
The game focuses solely on king movement without other pieces.

4. Variants with Different Objective

j. Fallen Kings

Each player’s goal is to capture the opponent’s king rather than checkmate.
The game can feature altered movement rules and additional pieces, depending on house rules.
Variants with Modified Rules

k. Capablanca Chess

Played on a 10x8 board and includes two additional pieces: the archbishop and the chancellor.
The objective remains to checkmate the opponent.

l. Crazyhouse

Captured pieces can be dropped back onto the board by the capturing player in any empty square.
Players can continuously influence the game with their captured pieces.

m. Losers Chess

The objective is to lose all your pieces or get checkmated, flipping the traditional win condition on its head.
Players may resign without losing if they have no legal moves.

n. From Dusk Till Dawn

Each player starts with one king, and at dusk (after a set number of moves), pawns turn into additional pieces.
This adds a strategic layer to the game, promoting active development of all pieces.

5. Variants for Specific Boards or Pieces

o. Draughts (Checkers) Style Chess

Played on an 8x8 or 10x10 board, combining elements of chess and draughts.
Each player moves like a draughts player, jumping over pieces to capture.

p. Megachess

Played on an enlarged board (e.g., 12x12 or larger) with more pieces and configurations.
Expands traditional strategy due to the additional board space and pieces.

q. 4D Chess

Involves multiple boards or dimensions, adding an entirely new layer to the game.
Pieces can move across different planes, complicating strategy.

r. Zaragoza Chess

Played on 10x10 boards with additional pieces usually involving more special rules regarding movement and captures.

6. Educational and Fun Variants

s. Knotty Chess

Players must place a chess piece on the board according to a color-coded knot system, impacting movement opportunities and strategy.

t. Pawns Only Chess

Each player starts with only pawn pieces.
Standard pawn movement rules apply; players must rely on innovative tactics to win.

u. No Check Chess

Players cannot put each other in check at any point during the game.
This significantly alters the strategies usually employed in typical chess games.

7. Stray Variants

v. Hexagonal Chess

Played on a board with hexagonal cells, altering how pieces can move and interact.
Requires unique strategies due to the non-standard board design.

w. Four-Player Chess

Played on a larger board with four players using unique rules for movement and alliances.
The game is often more chaotic but allows for interesting social interaction.

8. Creative and Custom Variants

x. Custom Chess Variants

Many players and communities create their own rules, combining elements from the variants above or introducing entirely new pieces and movements.
Examples may include adding new pieces, different capture rules, or varying board sizes.

y. Giant Chess

Played on a much larger board than standard chess, sometimes featuring life-sized pieces.
Typically played outdoors and emphasizes social interaction and fun.

z. Legan Chess

Legan chess is a variant of chess played on a 12x8 board, featuring unique pieces and rules that create a dynamic gameplay experience, emphasizing tactical depth and strategical diversity.

Others include Ice Age Chess, Cheshire Cat Chess, Life, the Universe, and everything, etc.

Summary

Chess variants enhance and diversify the classic game, offering unique challenges and experiences. They can cater to various skill levels, player preferences, and social dynamics, whether you enjoy quick games, strategic depth, or cooperative play.