Tips For Playing Horde Chess

Horde chess may appear to be a wacky chess variant, but it takes sacrifices and strategy to a much higher level. Although playing with rows and rows of pawns is daunting, it provides a key insight into patience and defense.

Rules of Horde Chess

Black’s initial position remains intact, but White’s instead has 36 pawns. Overall, White loses three points of material due to the change, but anyone looking at White’s board can tell that their position is much more intimidating.

The starting position for Horde Chess.

White and Black both have strategies in this format.

White: Push Black Into Defeat

1. Prepare

In a position where White has many pawn holes, it would be a good idea to push all their pawns forward in order to maintain an optimal position. Especially in a position with no threats, it is a good idea to increase pressure on the Black king.

In the position above, it’s a good idea to fill up the gaps in the position (without hanging any pawns) in order to prepare to attack.

2. Never Trade Promoted Pieces

Promoted pieces are White’s only mode of winning the game, and in a situation where trading is possible between two pieces (not pawns of course, White should almost always reject the trade.

In the position above, it is White’s turn. Any move that preserves the queen is fine, but Qxf8?? is a blunder. Although White would still likely be winning, the position is much simpler to hold when White has a queen as well.

3. Only Recapture On Your Terms

At the beginning of the game, when Black offers a trade, it is typically a better idea to defend your attacked pawn instead of taking the opposing pawn. Never help Black open up their position and instead move your pawns forward for the endgame.

Black: Sacrifice to Create Winning Positions

1. Rooks

Placing rooks as shown below is extremely beneficial.

In the position above, the two rooks lock down the four side files. If b4 is played, then the a4 pawn is hanging, and this cycle repeats until the 1st rank. The same goes for the kingside, and this position is losing for White.

Note: The rooks do not have to be next to the pawns. Even remaining on a8 or h8 still does the same thing.

2. Sacrifice to Weaken White

Sometimes it is worth it to separate the White pawns by sacrificing a piece. Intuition is helpful here, but sacrifices can also be calculated. However, some cases where sacrifices may be worth it is to accomplish #1 (above) or winning back three pawns or more.

3. Back Rank

If you can get to White’s back rank, then the pawns cannot defend against your captures. Take advantage of a back rank rook or queen to quickly sweep the pawns and win the game. This is also a possible result of #1 (above).

In the position above, White is losing due to the Black queen reaching their back rank. Now the queen can take all the pawns and win.