In 1985, R. Wayne Schmittberger, editor of Games magazine, introduced a chess variant called the Extinction Chess. Unlike the traditional version of the game, the aim is not to achieve checkmate, but rather to eliminate all the opponent’s pieces of a particular type. Therefore, the possible win conditions include:
- Capture all the opponent’s kings.
- Capture all the opponent’s queens.
- Capture all the opponent’s rooks.
- Capture all the opponent’s bishops.
- Capture all the opponent’s knights.
- Eliminate all the opponent’s pawns, by capturing or by promotion.
So, what rules are applied here?
- There is no check or checkmate.
- The player who captures all the opponent’s pieces of one kind, i.e. all eight pawns, both knights etc., wins the game.
- It is also possible to capture the opponent’s king (and that finishes the game immediately, since the king is the only piece of its kind). Because there is no check, a king can move to a square which is attacked by an opponent’s piece or make a castling through such a square.
- Pawns can be promoted to any piece, including a king. However, the player who promotes their last pawn loses the game because they lose all pieces of one kind – pawns.
Find more strategic and tactical tips in the comments of the following game that was played on BrainKing.com in 2005:
The Extinction Chess is an exciting variant of chess that adds a new level of complexity and strategy to the classic game. With the introduction of the new win condition, players must rethink their usual strategies and consider every move carefully to ensure they do not fall victim to their opponent’s attack. It is a thrilling game that is sure to delight chess enthusiasts and new players alike.