Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) rules
Chess960 is chess with a shuffled back rank. Pawns, movement, check and checkmate are exactly the same as in standard chess; only the starting position and castling differ.
The starting position
The pawns start as usual, but the pieces on the first and eighth ranks are shuffled. Two rules apply: the bishops stand on squares of opposite colors, and the king stands somewhere between the two rooks. This gives 960 possible positions, and Black's setup mirrors White's.
Castling
Each side may still castle once, if the king and that rook have not moved. After castling the king stands on the c- or g-file and the rook on the d- or f-file, as in normal chess. All squares between them and their targets must be empty, and the king may not cross an attacked square. Here, castle by moving the king onto the rook you want to castle with.
Playing tips
- Develop your pieces quickly: there is no opening theory to lean on.
- Fight for the center with pawns and look out for loose pieces on the back rank.
- Castle early when it is possible, but check which side is safer.