Atomic Chess
A fast, tactical chess variant with one big twist: every capture is an explosion. Learn what atomic chess is in a minute, then try to blow up your opponent’s king before your own goes up in smoke.
How to play Atomic Chess
- Pieces move exactly as in normal chess, including castling, en passant and promotion. White moves first.
- Every capture explodes. The capturing piece, the captured piece and every piece on the eight squares around the capture square are removed — friend or foe. Pawns standing next to an explosion survive; they only disappear when they capture or are captured.
- Kings cannot capture, because the king would blow itself up.
- Win by exploding the enemy king (capture any piece next to it) or by checkmate. Exploding the enemy king wins even if your own king was in check.
- You may never make a move that blows up your own king, and you may not leave your king in check.
- Touching kings: while the two kings stand next to each other, neither side is in check, since no capture can hit one king without destroying the other.
- The game is drawn by stalemate, when only the kings are left, by threefold repetition or after 50 moves each with no capture or pawn move.
Controls
- Tap a piece, then tap a highlighted square — or drag and drop. Captures are shown with a red ring.
- With hints on, hover over a capture square (on a mouse) to see the blast zone before you commit.
- Undo takes back your last move and the computer’s reply. Flip turns the board around.
Tips
- Look at the squares around the enemy king: capturing anything there — even a pawn — explodes the king.
- Your own pieces next to your king are a danger, not a shield. Keep the area around your king clear of knights, bishops and queens.
- Early queen and knight attacks on f7 or f2 are strong in atomic chess. Defend that square from the very first moves.
- Walking your king next to the enemy king is a famous escape: touching kings can never be checked.
- Trades are not equal: count every piece in the blast, not just the one you capture.
FAQ
What is atomic chess?
Atomic chess is a chess variant where every capture causes an explosion. The capturing piece, the captured piece and all pieces except pawns on the surrounding squares are removed. You win by blowing up the enemy king or by checkmate.
What are the rules of atomic chess?
Normal chess moves apply, but captures explode, kings cannot capture, you may not explode your own king, and exploding the opponent’s king wins instantly. Kings standing next to each other cannot give check.
Do pawns survive explosions?
Yes. A pawn next to an explosion stays on the board. A pawn is only removed when it is the piece being captured or the piece making the capture.
Why can’t the king capture in atomic chess?
The capture would explode on the king’s own square and destroy it, which is never allowed.
How strong is the computer?
Easy plays loosely and is good for learning the explosions. Medium sees short tactics. Hard searches deeper and punishes a careless piece next to your king.