How to play 3 Man Chess

Learn the rules to the 3 player chess game 3 Man Chess quickly and concisely – This video has no distractions, just the rules. The rules are the same as regular chess, except for these changes. For a refresher of those rules, check out this video:

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RULES:

The object of the game is to checkmate both opponent’s Kings. Setup the pieces along the 2 outside rows of the board with each player’s pieces setup in between the green lines. Ensure that all the kings are placed on white spaces. White goes first then play proceeds clockwise with gray, then black.

The center of the board may only be passed through, it is not a space that can be occupied. Pieces may move straight through the center, to the other side. The adjoining vertical squares, through the center, maintain the same color. The Knight will also retain the same color if it moves through the center. To move a piece diagonally through the center, follow the trajectory lines out from the square to the other side. You can capture pieces on the other side of the center or move through it, following the line.

When a piece follows a diagonal trajectory line to the outer row of the board, that piece may not “turn the corner” and continue moving in 1 consecutive move, it must wait until the next turn before it can continue the trajectory.

Pieces may move vertical across spaces and through the center, or horizontally around the board on the same row. When moving a knight through the center, do not follow the trajectory lines. Whenever you move a knight, the knight must move 2 squares vertically then 1 square horizontally, or 1 square vertically then 2 horizontally. This process of movement is necessary to maintain when dealing with moats.

The thick green lines that boarder each team on the outer row are called ‘MOATS’. No piece can CHECK an opponent’s King through a moat, no matter what. No piece may travel across a moat, horizontally OR diagonally, unless the moat is “Bridged”. A piece may momentarily bridge a moat if its move across the moat doesn’t result in the capture of a piece or puts an opponent’s king in check. But, if a player is eliminated, then both of its Moats are permanently bridged for all pieces. Also, once an active player vacates their outer row of all their pieces, even if they bring them back later, then their moats are also permanently bridged.

If either configuration of a KNIGHT’S move would carry it Horizontally across a Moat, without that knight being able to bridge the moat, then that move is illegal and may not be done.

The thinner green lines above moats that run for 2 spaces are called “CREEKS”. Pawns may not capture across a creek on their own side of the board. They must advance to the space beyond the end of the CREEK first, on the 4th row from the outside, before they can capture in that direction. Once a pawn crosses the center, it no longer observe creeks.

A team’s CHECKMATE status is not finalized until it is their turn, unless their King is captured.
If a King’s position is so unfortunate whereas the next team’s move creates a CHECK by the following team, then that following team may capture that King if they wish. If they do, they are then considered CHECKMATED.

When player is CHECKMATED, that player is eliminated from the game but all their pieces remain on the board. These pieces do not move, they cannot check a king, and you may not pass a piece through them. If you wish to occupy a space with an eliminated player’s piece on it, then you must capture that piece.

If a player can not make a legal move, called a stalemate, and 3 players are still in, then that player is considered checkmated and eliminated from the game. If there are only 2 players during a stalemate, then the game is a draw.

Otherwise, the game continued between until only one player remains, then that player is the winner. Also, if you checkmate both opponent’s simultaneously, then you win.