How to play Bughouse

Bughouse, also known as "Double," is a popular and exciting chess variant that is typically played by four players in teams of two. The game involves a unique dynamic, as captured pieces can be transferred and dropped back onto the board by your partner. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to play Bughouse:

Setup:

1. Gather four players and divide them into two teams of two. Each player will be responsible for a color: two players with white pieces and two with black pieces.
2. Set up two standard chess boards, one for each team. Place them side by side so that the players from each team can easily communicate with their partners.

Rules:

1. The game starts with a standard chess setup on both boards.
2. Players take turns moving just like in regular chess, following all standard chess rules.
3. Captured pieces are not immediately removed from the game but instead handed over to the player's partner. The partner has the option to "drop" these pieces onto their board on any of their turns.
4. A player's turn consists of two parts: a) The player makes a move on their board. b) The player may choose to "pass" their second move to their partner, allowing the partner to make two moves on their board in a row (the partner still follows the standard one-move-per-turn rule).

Piece Drop Rules:

1. On their turn, instead of making a regular move, a player can choose to "drop" a previously captured piece onto their board.
2. The piece being dropped must be from the pieces that the partner captured earlier in the game.
3. When dropping a piece, it can be placed on any unoccupied square, following the standard rules for that piece (e.g., pawns cannot be dropped on the first or eighth rank).
4. If a player's move creates a checkmate, the checkmated player's pieces are frozen, and their partner cannot use them until their next turn.

Winning the Game:

1. The game ends when one of the following conditions is met: Checkmate on one of the boards: If one team's board is checkmated, that team loses the game.
2. Time constraints: If playing with time controls, the game can end if one team's clock runs out.
3. Agreement: The players can mutually agree to a draw or resignation.

Communication:

Communication between partners is an essential aspect of Bughouse. Players are allowed to talk to their partners during the game to coordinate strategies, exchange pieces, and plan their moves.

Note: Bughouse can be played in various ways, and some specific rules may vary depending on local or online variants. It's always a good idea to clarify the rules before starting the game.

Bughouse is a fun and fast-paced variant of chess that encourages teamwork and creative play. If you haven't tried it before, give it a shot!

(Lastly, this was not written by me, but by ChatGPT. I just want people to learn how to play this variant.)