Setup
Base rules: chess. Both armies start side by side on the first two ranks: Black's pieces on files a–d, White's on files e–h. There are no pawns and no castling. White moves first.
Racing Kings
Race your king to the eighth rank without giving check.
No one is playing yet0 waiting rooms
Moves and captures
Pieces keep their chess moves. Neither moving into check nor giving check is allowed. Captures are allowed when they respect these restrictions.
Winning and draws
Reach the eighth rank first. If White arrives first and Black can reach that rank immediately in reply, the race is drawn. Stalemate is a draw. A player may claim a draw after threefold repetition or 50 moves by each side without a capture. A race with only the two kings left continues.
Special rules
The reply rule gives Black an equal number of turns. Blocking a route must never create check.
Read the full guide
Board setup, special rules and winning conditions for Racing Kings.
A rook move attacking the opposing king is illegal even if it would clear your king's route.
A quick guide to Racing Kings
Read the Racing Kings rulesWhat is Racing Kings?
Racing Kings is a chess variant in which both kings race to the eighth rank of an 8×8 board. There are no pawns and no checks. Both armies start side by side on the first two ranks, and the first king to arrive wins. No move may give check or walk into check. If White arrives first and Black can arrive on the very next move, the race is drawn.
Can you give check in Racing Kings?
No. Any move that gives check is illegal, and so is any move that leaves your own king in check. Captures are allowed only when they respect both restrictions, so you can never attack the opposing king, even to clear your own route.
What happens if both kings reach the eighth rank in Racing Kings?
If White's king reaches the eighth rank first and Black's king can reach it on the very next move, the game is a draw. If Black cannot follow immediately, White wins. If Black's king arrives first, Black wins at once.
Are there pawns or castling in Racing Kings?
No. Each side has a king, queen, two rooks, two bishops and two knights, placed side by side on the first two ranks: Black on files a–d, White on files e–h. With no pawns there is no promotion, and castling is not allowed.
How can I play with a friend?
Share one device for a local game, or choose the friend option above to create an online room and send its invitation. Online games need an internet connection. Local games are saved in this browser.
Play Racing Kings on one deviceWhich rules apply here?
Racing Kings. Read the setup, legal moves, special rules and end conditions before starting. The guide describes the variant used on ChessPlayX, including differences from other versions where relevant.
Read the Racing Kings rulesCan I play against AI?
Choose AI mode to practice at your own pace. Start with a lower difficulty while learning the moves, then increase it when you can spot threats and plan your replies.