Atomic chess rules
Atomic chess adds explosions to normal chess. Every capture destroys material, and the aim is to destroy the enemy king.
Explosions
When a piece captures, both it and the captured piece are removed, together with every piece (other than pawns) on the eight squares around the captured piece. Pawns next to the blast survive unless they were directly involved in the capture.
The kings
You win by blowing up the enemy king or by checkmate. A king can never capture, because it would explode itself, and a capture that would blow up your own king is illegal. When the two kings stand next to each other, neither can be checked by other pieces.
Playing tips
- A capture next to the enemy king wins on the spot, even if the king is not the captured piece.
- Protect your own king: pieces near it can become explosion targets.
- Trading is risky, since each capture removes several pieces at once.