Three-check chess
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Three-check chess is a chess variant; it plays by the same rules as chess, with the addition that a player wins by putting their opponent in check three times.[1][2] Sacrifices are common and the opening can be filled with traps. Checking an opponent twice can create an advantage equivalent to captured material in the evaluation of a position. The game rarely reaches the endgame and is usually decided before queens are traded.
The game is catalogued in David Pritchard's The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants where it is noted as being of probable Soviet origin, and that Anatoly Karpov was an "invincible" player in his youth.[3][4] Although Pritchard does not mention what happens if checkmate is delivered before a third check,[3] major online chess servers consider this a win for the checkmating player.[2][1]
Play tips
When outlining basic tips for beginners, International Master Daniel Rensch recommended players avoiding leaving open diagonals to their king, being cautious of open files, not allowing consecutive checks, and being aware that the queen can almost always make a second check if allowed to make one.[5]
Example game
1. e4 e6 2. d4??
- This typical opening in standard chess quickly loses in Three-check chess.
2... Bb4+
- First check.
3. c3 Bxc3+!
- Second check.
4. Nxc3 Qh4! 0–1
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 |              | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
- White resigned. There is no way to prevent a third check by ...Qxf2+ or ...Qxe4+.
Online and software
Chess.com,[5] Internet Chess Club, and Lichess[1] each support online games of Three-check chess. ChessV allows for games against a computer opponent. Shane's Chess Information Database includes information relating to Three-check chess.
References
- ^ a b c "Three-check • Check your opponent 3 times to win the game. • lichess.org". lichess.org. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
- ^ a b "Chess Variants | 5 Amazing Examples". Chess.com. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ a b Pritchard, D. B. (1994). "THREE-CHECK CHESS". The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. p. 304. ISBN 0-9524142-0-1.
Probably of Soviet origin. The first player to deliver three checks wins. Said to be very skilful: two checks can be achieved fairly easily at the expense of piece sacrifices after which the prospects of a third check with severely weakened forces are close to zero.
- ^ Pritchard, D. B. (2007). "Chapter 10: Different objectives of play". In Beasley, John (ed.). The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. John Beasley. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-9555168-0-1.
Karpov is said to have been invincible at the game in his youth (manuscript note presumably deriving from personal communication).
- ^ a b (DanielRensch), Daniel Rensch. "3-Check Chess Tips For Beginners". Chess.com. Retrieved 2018-07-21.