Fog of War: Tips I Wish I Had From the Start

1. Protect Your King Like He's Already Being Hunted

Be careful about invisible snipers — your king should be protected at all times, from all sides. Just because you don’t see a threat doesn’t mean it’s not there. In Fog chess, you have to assume the worst: that a bishop is eyeing your diagonal or a rook is lurking on an open file. Castle early, avoid exposing key lines, and always keep defenders close. Paranoia isn’t a flaw — it’s a survival skill.

2. Track and Mark Enemy Positions — Especially Pawns

Just because a piece disappears from view doesn’t mean it’s gone. Use the marking tool on Chess.com to track known or suspected enemy positions, especially pawns. Mark them early, and update those marks as pieces move or are captured. Keeping tabs on the invisible is half the game.

3. Use Knights as Scouts

Knights can jump over pieces and peer into weird angles of the board. They’re your best units for discovering hidden threats and unblocking vision. Keep at least one active and moving.

4. Control the Center — and the Fog

Controlling the center not only gives you more space and flexibility — it also uncovers more of the board. That extra visibility makes it harder for your opponent to hide sneaky tactics.

5. Keep Moving with Purpose

It’s tempting to stall or fidget in uncertainty, but Fog chess still rewards solid principles. Develop your pieces. Connect your rooks. Don’t drift — make moves that improve your position even if you're unsure where the opponent is.

6. Use Pawns to Probe

Pawns are cheap explorers. Advancing them helps uncover fog, forces enemy reactions, and might even snag a hidden piece. Use them as feelers to map the battlefield.

7. Track Disappeared Knights and Bishops

When an enemy knight disappears, start marking its possible destinations — otherwise you’re just waiting for a surprise fork. Same with bishops: always note whether the bishop you captured was light- or dark-squared. That detail helps you keep your king on safer colors and avoid being picked off by a lurking sniper. It’s small memory work that makes a big difference.

8. Avoid Overextension

Sending a queen or bishop deep into unknown territory is dangerous. Without backup or visibility, they’re easy targets. Keep your army coordinated and don’t overreach.

9. Train Your Visualization

Fog of War naturally trains your blindfold and visualization skills. You’re constantly trying to remember and guess where pieces might be. That muscle gets stronger over time — and helps in classical chess, too.