1. Setting your formation

Choosing the right lineup before the snap is half the battle. On offense all seven of your pieces must line up behind the ball, while the defense stations theirs in front. Mixing high-powered pieces with reliable pawns determines how aggressive or cautious you can be once play begins.

A pawn placed on the ball handles the snap and at least one more pawn must join it on the line. The rest of your formation is up to you—spread your pieces wide to attack the edges or stack them together for a stronger push up the middle.

Picking your lineup

1. Select any seven pieces from your sideline each drive.
2. Offense must put every piece behind the line of scrimmage.
3. Defense sets up in front of the line but cannot cross it until the snap.
4. A pawn on the ball snaps to your quarterback to start the play.

Offensive tips

• Keep your rooks or queen near the line to protect the quarterback.
• Use bishops and knights as potential receivers on the wings.
• Pawns work best in pairs to block rushers and open running lanes.

Defensive tips

• Mirror the offense's alignment to deny easy lanes.
• Knights excel at blitzing through gaps to pressure the ball.
• Stagger pawns so a single push can't knock out your whole front.