4-way chess: Always play passively

I've won nearly every 4-way chess game (rating up to 1477 now), and I think I've about figured it out.

Simply develop as you would normally do, keeping in mind that knights are mostly for defense--always keep your bishops ready to strike. Avoid trades. If people are rushing their pawns to the center, don't mind them. Even if one player has 3 queens, don't mind them.

Nobody will care about you, and they will attack each other. Usually, there will be a tactical opportunity (usually when a player checks another player. The checked player will have to defend, so if you attack his queen, then that queen will be yours. Additionally, it's sometimes possible to create a double check that will mate the player.) If a tactical opportunity never shows up, it's still likely that you will win because everybody will trade with each other while you have most of your pieces intact. (Also, around the middle of the game, it might be wise to start rushing your pawns to the center as well.)

This method of playing still causes quite a bit of chaos, so it's still fun! I just wanted to share my thoughts.

I saw the diagram of the starting position the other day and the whole thing sounds stupid.  From your post I learned that every player is for himself; you don't have partnerships like in bridge.  You say ignore someone even if he has three queens, what if you do something he doesn't like and he comes after you with those queens?

Although there aren't any permanent alliances, if one player checks someone it's very useful to attack them as well, especially if you can check them. I'm also not convinced that castling is much use, because you're bring your king nearer to one of your enemies who can attack by going round the corner.

I think 4-way chess is fun but I'm not taking it very seriously and couldn't care less what my rating on it will be.