Official Rules v0.1

This rule set was last updated on April 12, 2025. The rules are in beta and subject to change.

Introduction

Football Chess combines the strategic depth of chess with the excitement of American football. This innovative game merges the tactical movement of chess pieces with the objective-driven mechanics of football, creating a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Section 1. Game Overview

Section 1.1. Objective

The objective of Football Chess is to score more points than your opponent by advancing the football into your opponent's end zone while preventing them from scoring in yours. The game merges chess-style piece movement with football concepts like downs, tackles, and passing plays.

Section 1.2. Game Structure

Football Chess is played over four quarters, each consisting of multiple drives and plays. Teams take turns in offense and defense, with possession changing after scoring events or turnovers.

Section 2. Game Components

Section 2.1. Field

Chess Board: Standard 8×8 grid representing a football field
- Columns are labeled A-H (from left to right)
- Rows are numbered 1-8 (from bottom to top)
- A1 is always at the bottom right from white player's perspective
End Zones: The first and last row of the board (row 1 and row 8)
Yard Lines: Each row represents 5 yards on a football field
Line Of Scrimmage: A visual indicator showing where the ball was last controlled
Sidelines: Each player has a sideline to the left of their position, containing 16 chess pieces
Direction of Play: White always moves upward, and black always moves downward

Section 2.2. Game Pieces

Chess Pieces: Each player has a full set of chess pieces on their sideline, consisting of:
- 8 Pawns: Limited forward movement, can move diagonally to tackle (Linemen)
- 2 Rooks: Move horizontally or vertically any number of squares (Offensive Tackles)
- 2 Knights: Move in L-shapes, can pass over other pieces (Tight Ends)
- 2 Bishops: Move diagonally any number of squares (Wide Receivers)
- 1 Queen: Combines rook and bishop movement patterns (Runningback)
- 1 King: Moves one square in any direction, special ball-handling abilities (Quarterback)
Active Pieces: For each play, you select 7 pieces from your sideline to form your active lineup (at least 2 pawns required)

Section 2.3. The Football

A separate piece that can be carried by chess pieces, thrown across the board, or rest on the ground
The football has different visual representations based on its state:
- Carried by a piece
- In flight during a throw
- On the ground after an incomplete pass
- Loose and recoverable (fumble)

Section 3. Setup and Formation

Section 3.1. Initial Setup

At the start of the game, the playing field is empty
Each player has 16 chess pieces on their respective sidelines
The ball is positioned 20 yards (4 rows) from the offensive team's end zone
The scrimmage line is positioned at the ball's location
Players will select and position 7 pieces from their sideline for each play
White always drives toward the top of the board (row 8), and black toward the bottom (row 1)

Section 3.2. Setup Phase

The Setup Phase is where players position their chess pieces to prepare for the upcoming play.

Formation Rules:

Offense Formation Requirements:
- Must have exactly 7 pieces on the board selected from your sideline
- Must include at least 2 pawns
- All pieces must be positioned behind the line of scrimmage
- A pawn must be positioned on the ball to serve as the "snapper"
Defense Formation Requirements:
- Must have exactly 7 pieces on the board selected from your sideline
- Must include at least 2 pawns
- All pieces must be positioned in front of the line of scrimmage
- Cannot have a king in the defensive formation
Formation Procedure:
- Offense places their pieces first and indicates when they are "ready"
- Defense has additional time to continue placing pieces after offense hits "ready"
- Defense indicates they are "ready" when their formation is complete
- If a team hits "ready" with pieces on the wrong side of the scrimmage line, it results in an "Offsides" penalty (5 yards)

Section 3.3. Motion Phase

After both teams have completed their formations, the offense can initiate optional pre-snap movement.

Offensive Motion:
- Offense may move a single piece to any open space behind the line of scrimmage
- The piece can be moved freely as long as it remains behind the scrimmage line
- Moving a piece beyond the line of scrimmage results in an "False Start" penalty (5 yards)
- This motion can be skipped if the offense chooses to snap immediately
Defensive Reaction:
- After offensive motion, defense may move a single piece to any open space in front of the line
- Moving a piece behind the line of scrimmage results in an "Offsides" penalty (5 yards)
- This reaction is optional and can be skipped
- Defense must complete their reaction within a limited time window
Repeated Motion:
- Offense may continue to move different pieces one at a time
- Each offensive motion allows for a defensive reaction
- This process continues until the offense snaps the ball or the play clock expires

Section 3.4. The Snap

The snap officially begins the play and transitions from the pre-snap phase to the action phase.

Snap Requirements:
- A pawn must be positioned on the ball to serve as the "snapper"
- A snap receiver must be positioned directly behind the snapper or one square behind that position
Snap Execution:
- When the offense indicates a snap, the ball moves from the snapper to the receiver
- If there is no eligible receiver in position, the snap results in a fumble
- The fumble places the ball two squares behind the snapper's position
Post-Snap Sequence:
- Immediately after the snap, the offense takes the first turn
- Teams then alternate turns moving one piece at a time during the action phase

Section 4. Game Mechanics

Section 4.1. Movement

All pieces move according to standard chess rules with the following modifications:
- Pieces cannot move through occupied squares during play
- Pieces can push friendly and opposing pieces under certain conditions
- A piece carrying the ball follows normal movement rules for its piece type
Pushing:
- Moving into a square occupied by another piece may result in a push
- The pushed piece moves one square in the same direction as the pushing piece
- Pushes cannot force pieces off the board or into occupied squares
Tackle and Truck:
- Tackle: Defensive piece moves onto the ball carrier's square, stopping play
- Truck: Ball carrier moves onto a defensive piece's square, stopping play
- Both tackles and trucks result in a pile and end the current play, with the ball carrier maintaining possession
Knight Route Selection:
- For each valid knight move, there are two possible L-shaped routes
- The chosen route determines both the direction of pushes and handoffs
- If the route passes over a ball carrier, a handoff occurs in the direction of movement

Section 4.2. Ball Carrier

Ball Possession:
- A piece maintains possession when moving to a new square
- If the ball is on the ground, any piece can pick it up by moving onto its square
- Possession can only change through:
  - Passing the ball to another piece
  - Handing off the ball to a friendly piece
  - Picking up a fumbled ball
Handoff:
- When a piece moves over a friendly ball carrier, it automatically receives the ball
- The handoff occurs as the piece passes through the ball carrier's square
- If the receiving piece trucks an opponent on the same move, it results in a fumble
Fumbles:
- A fumble occurs when:
  - A backward or lateral pass is incomplete
  - A piece trucks an opponent on the same move as receiving a handoff
  - A snap is missed due to improper positioning
- Fumble Recovery:
  - A fumbled ball is recovered by moving a piece onto the ball's square
  - Once a piece occupies the ball's square, the ball becomes "in contention"
  - The opposing team may contest by moving their piece to the same square
  - Contention continues as long as pieces can be placed on the square in alternating turns
  - The fumble resolves when a turn passes without a new piece contesting the ball
  - If only a single piece is contesting the ball and a turn passes without challenge, that piece gains possession and play continues
  - When multiple pieces form a pile, the team with the most pieces gains possession and the play ends
  - In case of equal pieces from both teams, the team with the topmost piece gains possession
  - Note: When an offensive piece trucks after receiving a handoff, the trucking piece retains possession if the fumble is not immediately contested

Section 4.3. Throwing

Basic Throwing:
- To throw, select the ball then select the target square
- The king can throw to any square on the board
- Other pieces can only throw in directions they can move
- Throwing counts as a move for the throwing team
Direct Throws:
- Throwing to a square occupied by a friendly piece
- Opponent can attempt to defend by tackling the receiver on their turn
- If not defended, receiver automatically catches the ball and can move on the next turn
- Throwing directly to an opponent results in an immediate interception
Indirect Throws:
- Throwing to an empty square
- If an opponent moves to this square on their turn, they intercept the ball
- If not intercepted, your team can move a piece to the square to catch the ball
- If no piece reaches the square, the ball falls incomplete
Incomplete Passes and Fumbles:
- When a direct throw is batted or an indirect throw hits the ground:
  - If it was the first legal forward pass, it's an incomplete pass
  - If it was a lateral or backward pass, it's a fumble
- An incomplete forward pass returns the ball to the original spot
Pass Restrictions:
- Only one legal forward pass is allowed per play
- Forward passes cannot be made after crossing the line of scrimmage
- Violating these rules results in an "Illegal Forward Pass" penalty (5 yards)

Section 5. Scoring and Game Progression

Section 5.1. Downs and Yardage

Teams have four attempts (downs) to score a touchdown
Gaining 10 yards earns a new set of downs (first down)
Each play uses one down, regardless of outcome
The line of scrimmage moves with the ball after each play
If all four downs are used without scoring or earning a first down, possession changes (turnover on downs)

Section 5.2. Scoring Methods

Touchdown (7 points):
- Scored when a piece has possession of the ball while in the opponent's end zone
- Automatically worth 7 points (no separate extra point attempt)
Safety (2 points):
- Scored when the ball carrier is tackled in their own end zone
- Possession changes after a safety

Section 5.3. Turnover Mechanics

Incomplete Pass: Ball is placed back at the previous spot, down advances
Interception: Defense catches a pass, immediately gains possession
Fumble: Ball is loose, either team can recover it
Turnover on Downs: After four unsuccessful downs, possession changes
After Turnover: Ball possession starts 20 yards (4 rows) from the end zone

Section 6. Penalties

Section 6.1. Procedural Penalties

Illegal Formation (Loss of Turn):
- Incorrect number of pieces or pawns
- Missing the required pawn on the ball
- Pieces in illegal positions relative to scrimmage line
Offsides (5 yards):
- Offensive pieces beyond the line of scrimmage before snap
- Defensive pieces behind the line of scrimmage

Section 6.2. In-Play Penalties

Illegal Forward Pass (5 yards):
- Throwing a forward pass after crossing the line of scrimmage
- Second forward pass during the same play
Holding (10 yards):
- Counter-pushing an opponent (pushing back after being pushed)

Section 6.3. Penalty Enforcement

Penalties move the ball a specified number of yards (rows) in the appropriate direction
Some penalties stop play immediately, while others are assessed after the play
The non-penalized team may choose to decline a penalty if advantageous