Three-check chess

Three-check chess is a variation of chess, in which a player wins if they check their opponent three times. Anatoly Karpov is said to excel in this chess variant (Pritchard 2007:83).

This chess variant is much more tactical than standard chess: sacrifices are very common, and there can be lots of traps in the opening. Two checks is already a big advantage and may be worth more than a piece in the evaluation of a position. The game rarely reaches the endgame – usually it is decided before queens are traded.

Example game

abcdefgh
8
a8 black rook
b8 black knight
c8 black bishop
e8 black king
g8 black knight
h8 black rook
a7 black pawn
b7 black pawn
c7 black pawn
d7 black pawn
f7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
h7 black pawn
e6 black pawn
d4 white pawn
e4 white pawn
h4 black queen
c3 white knight
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
c1 white bishop
d1 white queen
e1 white king
f1 white bishop
g1 white knight
h1 white rook
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Position after 4...Qh4

1. e4 e6 2. d4??

This typical opening in standard chess immediately loses in Three-check chess.

2... Bb4+

First check.

3. c3 Bxc3+!

Second check.

4. Nxc3 Qh4! (see diagram) 0–1

White resigned. There is no way to prevent a third check by Qxf2+ or Qxe4+.

See also

References

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