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Any doubts or suggestions? Feel free to write to us here; we are happy to reply if you have any questions about the VCS You can read more about the event at https://www.chess.com/announcements/view/introducing-the-variants-community-series-1.

When I captured kings to checkmate, the game ended. But when I checkmated kings, it liked:

https://www.chess.com/variants/spell-chess/game/53970879 on move 13, i could freeze g5 and take the queen, but it wouldnt let me do that

i have so many ideas of fairy chess pieces but i dont know how to make them, anyone can help me?

https://www.chess.com/variants/custom/game/53901815/15/3 My opponent resigned in this position, but I'm not sure why. In this variant, you can't "take" the king. So I think in the next move he'd just have to move the king, no?

What are the uses you have found for the Freeze spell? While the Jump spell clearly has its uses and can allow for intricate tactics to win material, I find that I almost exclusively use the Freeze spell as a counter to my opponent's Freeze spell (e.g. When my opponent takes a defended piece and freezes the defender, I freeze the piece that captured my piece and wait for my move again.)

https://www.chess.com/variants/spell-chess/game/53672448

This is a new bug and it’s annoying. I’m using a iPad and the browser is google chrome. But the thing is, variants are glitched. When I tap the piece, the dots only show for a second and disappear, and when I drag the pieces, multiple pieces move at the same time.

For some reason, after you checkmate someone in spell chess, u cant exit out of the game until they run out of time...

idk why I play variants all the time

Hi everyone, No idea what's going on right now, but it appears that there's a server update going on and that it's taking longer than expected. If I get any word from the developers on the specifics, I'll share as much as possible, in the meantime, just try to stay on your tab if you're in a game so that you don't time out.

Next week starts the VCS, and KOTH is the first variant!

**PPM Formula Concept:** I've come up with a formula that ties into my tournament concepts: PPM, which stands for "Progressive Performance Metric." Essentially, PPM represents a calculation that tracks and evaluates how performance progresses or advances over a series of events or activities. In the context we discussed earlier, the "Progressive Performance Metric" would relate to my formula that calculates the differences in ratings between consecutive events. This formula provides a way to measure and understand how performance is evolving over time. **Chess.com Rating System:** Regarding chess, I've found that Chess.com primarily uses the Elo rating system to assess a player's skill level. Named after Arpad Elo, the system is widely used to gauge the relative skill levels of players across various competitive activities, including chess. Chess.com has its own version of the Elo system, which assigns ratings to players based on their performance in online chess matches. In this Elo system on Chess.com: - Every player starts with an initial rating, usually around 1200 for new players. - Ratings change after each game based on the game's outcome (win, loss, draw) and the relative ratings of the players involved. - Players gain or lose rating points based on their performance against opponents of differing ratings. - The amount of rating points exchanged depends on expected outcomes and rating differences. - Over time, a player's rating becomes a more accurate reflection of their skill level. It's worth noting that Chess.com might have unique adjustments or features in their implementation of the Elo system. **Chess "Side Action" Events:** In chess, a "side action" event typically refers to a tournament or competition that runs alongside a main event. The main event often draws the most attention and features top-ranked players, while the side action events are additional competitions held simultaneously or in conjunction with the main event. Side action events come in various forms: - Open Tournaments: These are separate competitions open to anyone, regardless of their rating. Different rating levels might be included to accommodate players of various skill levels. - Amateur or Junior Events: These are competitions tailored for amateur or junior players, offering them a focused platform to compete. - Blitz or Rapid Tournaments: Faster-paced games, like blitz or rapid chess, might be considered side events alongside classical chess tournaments. - Simultaneous Exhibitions: Sometimes, top players or grandmasters provide simultaneous exhibitions, playing against multiple opponents at once. - Side Tournaments: These can involve thematic play (starting from a specific opening position), bughouse chess (a chess variant), and other creative formats. Side action events aim to provide extra opportunities for participants, diverse playing experiences, and cater to various types of players within a single chess event. **Creating a Side Action Event with PPM:** I'm excited to share that I'm using the Elo ratings and my Progressive Performance Metric (PPM) formula to create a side-action event within the realm of chess. This special event will see players competing against each other and earning or losing points based on my PPM formula. The formula is designed to calculate the difference in ratings and performance across a series of matches. It's a new way to evaluate and track player progress. In essence, this side action event offers a distinctive twist to the usual chess tournaments. It presents an alternative or supplementary competitive experience compared to the traditional format. Players will engage in matches with the added layer of the PPM formula, which introduces a fresh approach to measuring performance beyond the typical Elo ratings. This infusion of variety and strategy will set this chess event apart from standard tournaments. **Team Formation in the Event:** Teams for this event are formed based on players' individual ratings and performances. As players register for the side action event, they will be assigned to teams using a balanced approach. The goal is to create teams with comparable average ratings, ensuring fair competition and an exciting experience for all participants. The PPM formula will continue to play a role, as team performance will also factor into the overall calculation, adding an intriguing dynamic to the team-based competition **My tournament uses PPM** It is a side-action tournament competition, played on a daily basis conducted here on Chess.com and using the results from rapid chess matches at every skill level, guaranteeing equal team structure. Visit www.4teamchess.com to see how it works and join my club: 4teamchess International on Chess.com https://clubs.chess.com/kSaQ

Over a year ago chess.com closed down Automate. I loved it and never had trouble getting a game. My friend posted a forum about it, and one user who had messaged chess.com said that the variant had been shelved and might come back. Now here we are, and I was wondering the status of Automate. I know that Setup chess was created but it is different because you have to play out the position and not a computer. Is Setup Chess a replacement for Automate? Or could Automate ever come back?

How much would any of you be interested in a variants youtube channel going up on yt? How about being featured in videos? Dm me and friend rq me.

(Warning! Nerd content ahead!!!) Hey Variant Club! You've heard of antichess, and standard chess, but just like there is anti matter and normal matter, there is also exotic matter which, fun fact, has NEGITIVE MASS!! Exotic Chess is a game I made up which is basically standard but with flippn BLACK HOLES! This is how to play. 1. When you are in check, the black hole is put on the board. the computer will randomly pick a square to place a black circle on. if the black hole is placed under the piece checking, the piece falls through and is taken off the board and the king is no longer in check. If the black hole appears under the king, its checkmate, and the king is dead. If the black hole is placed in-between the king and the piece checking, the king is no longer in check, but it is the other players turn. If the black hole is placed anywhere else, the king has to get out of check and everyone must avoid the black hole until another check takes place. 2. you can not check, skewer, pin, fork, move, or capture through a black hole. 3. if you are checkmated you can not use black holes as defense. (After all, the king is already dead).

Hi! Where can I find full rules for Mini-Forest variation? "Pawns promote to a bishop, dabbaba, alfil, camel, grasshopper or ferz on the 8th rank." -- this is very unclear, we don't know what is dabbaba, for example.

NEXTER: It moves one square horizontally to an adjacent file (vertically to an adjacent rank), then move like a rider on the file (rank)

https://www.chess.com/clubs/forum/view/tavreli-on-shess-com?page=1#last_comment