Chess Variants/Losing Chess

	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

In this position, with White to move, the rules of losing chess force White to capture the black pawn on d7 with the bishop. Black must then make a capture, and can choose between Qxd7, Kxd7, Nxd7 or Bxg2.

Introduction

Losing Chess (also known as Antichess, Suicide Chess or Giveaway Chess) is an eccentric variant that inverses the normal rules of chess - you win by losing all of your pieces. It is one of the most popular chess variants out there.

History

The origins of losing chess are unknown, but the earliest version of the variant was played in the 1870s. The variant began to gain popularity in the 20th century, facilitated by publications about the variant in the UK, Germany and Italy, and a new surge of popularity came when the variant was implemented on the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS) in 1996.

In 2016 the most commonly played version of losing chess was weakly solved as a win for White, beginning with 1. e3.

Rules

There are slight variations in the rules from source to source, but this is the most common ruleset -

Losing chess is played mostly like the standard game. However, in losing chess captures are compulsory - if a player can make a capture, they must. If multiple captures are available, the capturing player may choose which capture to make.

The king in losing chess does not have royal power. Therefore a king may capture and be captured just like any other piece, there is no check or checkmate, and a pawn may promote to a king if that player wants.

A player wins by losing all of their pieces, or by being stalemated.

Sub-variants

This chess variant does not not have any notable sub-variants.