Setup
Base rules: chess, except where this guide says otherwise. Use the normal 8×8 chess starting position. Both check counters begin at zero. White moves first.
Three-check Chess
Win by giving three checks, or by ordinary checkmate.
No one is playing yet0 waiting rooms
Moves and captures
Use normal chess moves, captures, castling and promotion. Each legal move that checks the opposing king adds one to your counter; a double check still counts as one.
Winning and draws
Your third check wins immediately, even if the opponent could answer it. Checkmate also wins. Stalemate is a draw. Only king against king is drawn automatically for lack of material, because a lone bishop or knight can still give checks. A player may claim a draw after the same position occurs three times, or after 50 moves by each side without a capture or pawn move. Neither rule ends the game automatically.
Special rules
Checks must come from legal moves that keep your own king safe. The check counters are part of the game position and replay.
Read the full guide
Board setup, special rules and winning conditions for Three-check Chess.
With two checks already delivered, a legal discovered check is enough to win.
A quick guide to Three-check Chess
Read the Three-check Chess rulesWhat is Three-check Chess?
Three-check Chess is a chess variant with one extra way to win: giving check three times. Checkmate still wins too. It uses the normal 8×8 position, moves and draw rules, and each side has a check counter that starts at zero. Every legal checking move adds one, a double check counts as one, and the third check wins at once.
Does a double check count as two checks in Three-check Chess?
No. Each move that gives check adds exactly one to your counter, even if two pieces attack the king at once. The counter shown beside the board tracks how many checks each side has delivered, and the third one ends the game.
Does the third check have to be checkmate in Three-check Chess?
No. Your third check wins immediately, even if the opponent could easily escape it. The checking move must still be legal, so you cannot give it while leaving your own king in check. Ordinary checkmate also wins at any point, even before three checks.
Is king and bishop against king a draw in Three-check Chess?
No. Unlike normal chess, the game continues, because a lone bishop or knight can still give the checks you need. Only king against king is drawn automatically for lack of material. Stalemate is a draw, and threefold repetition or the 50-move rule must be claimed.
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 Three-check Chess on one deviceWhich rules apply here?
Three-check Chess. 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 Three-check Chess 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.