Check out Atomic Chess, our featured variant for November, 2024.

Since Java is no longer supported in most browsers, our Java applets probably will not run unless you install an extension that will run them. We recommend installing the CheerpJ Applet Runner extension on Edge, Chrome, or another Chromium browser. If your browser still does support Java, and you're not using this extension, make sure this site is listed in your Java exceptions list. You should find this in the Security tab of your Java control panel.

Orphic Chess

If you had a Java-capable browser, you could play Orphic Chess here.

A placed unit may displace a pawn. No non-capturing moves on the board until the king is placed. Unless the king is placed last, he must go on the first rank. Mats Winther, June 2006.

Orphic Chess


Keys "s"=save "l"=load "b"=back once

Chess Variants

These are simple illustrations rather than strong opponents.

Bug reports? -- Thank you! Keep them coming!

Written by Ed Friedlander


WWW Page Added: Sunday, December 30, 2001