Check out Atomic Chess, our featured variant for November, 2024.

Since Java is no longer supported in most browsers, our Java applets probably will not run unless you install an extension that will run them. We recommend installing the CheerpJ Applet Runner extension on Edge, Chrome, or another Chromium browser. If your browser still does support Java, and you're not using this extension, make sure this site is listed in your Java exceptions list. You should find this in the Security tab of your Java control panel.

Compact Chess

If you had a Java-capable browser, you could play Compact Chess here.
Keys "s"=save "l"=load "b"=back once

Dean-Smith's variant played in South Africa. I figured that pawns cannot make a two-square first move. Pawns blocked in front shuffle with enemy captured normally. Pieces (not pawns, or king in check) can capture own pawns.

Chess Variants

These are simple illustrations rather than strong opponents.

Bug Reports -- Thank you! Keep them coming!

Written by Ed Friedlander

WWW Page Added: Sunday, December 30, 2001