BallFootball Chess
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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:

    • Pawn 8 Pawns: Limited forward movement, can move diagonally to tackle (Linemen)
    • Rook 2 Rooks: Move horizontally or vertically any number of squares (Offensive Tackles)
    • Knight 2 Knights: Move in L-shapes, can pass over other pieces (Tight Ends)
    • Bishop 2 Bishops: Move diagonally any number of squares (Wide Receivers)
    • Queen 1 Queen: Combines rook and bishop movement patterns (Runningback)
    • King 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:
    • Football in possession Carried by a piece
    • Football in flight In flight during a throw
    • Football on ground On the ground after an incomplete pass
    • Football loose Loose and recoverable (fumble)

Section 3. Setup and Formation

Section 3.1. Initial Setup

Line Pawn
  1. At the start of the game, the playing field is empty
  2. Each player has 16 chess pieces on their respective sidelines
  3. The ball is positioned 20 yards (4 rows) from the offensive team's end zone
  4. The scrimmage line is positioned at the ball's location
  5. Players will select and position 7 pieces from their sideline for each play
  6. 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.

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

Football in motion

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  1. 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)

  2. 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

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

Section 6. Clock Rules

Section 6.1. Clock Types

  1. Play Clock:

    • Limits time for offense to snap the ball
    • Includes both formation and motion phases
    • Expiration results in a "Delay of Game" penalty

  2. Game Clock:

    • Tracks overall time for each quarter
    • Runs continuously except during timeouts and specific stoppages
    • Play continues until completion even if clock expires during play

  3. Reaction Clock:

    • Limits time for defense to respond after offensive actions
    • While running, the game and play clocks pause
    • Expiration results in a missed turn for the defense

Section 6.2. Clock Expirations

  1. Play Clock Expiration:

    • Results in "Delay of Game" penalty (5 yards)
    • Ball is moved back and down is replayed

  2. Reaction Clock Expiration:

    • During defense setup: Formation is locked in as-is
      • Illegal formations result in appropriate penalties (offsides, too many men, etc.)
    • During defense reaction/turn: Defense misses their turn
    • Offense gains opportunity to act again

  3. Game Clock Expiration:

    • Between plays: Period ends immediately
    • During play: Play continues until stoppage
    • Critical in late-game situations where clock management becomes strategic

Section 6.3. Play Stopping Events

  1. Clock-Stopping Events:

    • Incomplete passes
    • Plays ending at sidelines (columns A & H are "out of bounds")
    • Scoring plays
    • Timeouts
    • Certain penalties

  2. Free Play Situations:

    • Some defensive penalties allow play to continue as a "free play"
    • Offensive penalties may nullify progress and require replay of down

  3. Post-Play Timing:

    • After stopped play: Play clock begins immediately
    • Offense controls pace by choosing when to initiate "Next Play"
    • Special situations include brief intermissions:
      • Penalty decisions: Time to accept/decline
      • Turnovers: Time for teams to switch roles
      • Scoring: Brief celebration period

Section 6.4. Timeouts

  1. Timeout Allocation:

    • Each team receives 3 timeouts per half
    • Unused timeouts do not carry over between halves

  2. Timeout Rules:

    • Can only be called before the snap
    • Cannot be called during stopped play
    • Stops game clock but not play clock
    • Allows strategic planning without game clock running
    • Permits formation reset by returning all pieces to sidelines

Section 6.5. Time Modes

  1. Blitz Mode:

    • Short, fast-paced games
    • Reduced clock durations
    • Emphasizes quick decision-making

  2. Standard Mode:

    • Balanced approach with time as strategic element
    • Moderate clock durations
    • Similar to traditional football timing

  3. Unlimited Mode:

    • No game or play clock pressure
    • Focus on positional strategy over time management
    • Reaction clocks still enforce turn progression
    • Timeouts primarily used for formation resets

Section 7. Penalties

Referee

Section 7.1. Pre-Snap Penalties

  1. False Start (5 yards):

    • An offensive piece moves beyond the Line of Scrimmage during motion
    • Does not apply to initial piece placement during setup
    • Stops play immediately

  2. Offsides (5 yards):

    • A defensive piece moves behind the Line of Scrimmage during reaction
    • Does not apply to initial piece placement during setup
    • Stops play immediately

  3. Encroachment (5 yards):

    • A defender crosses the line of scrimmage during reaction and causes contact or the offense to move
    • Stops play immediately

  4. Too Many Men on Field (5 yards):

    • Having more than 7 pieces on the field during setup
    • Prevents play from starting until corrected or penalty accepted
    • Applies to both offense and defense

  5. Illegal Formation (5 yards):

    • Offense fails to meet formation requirements:
      • Not having at least 2 pawns on the field
      • Not having a pawn (snapper) positioned on the ball
    • Prevents play from starting until corrected or penalty accepted

  6. Delay of Game (5 yards):

    • Offense fails to snap the ball before play clock expires
    • Can also apply if a team fails to make a selection in allotted time
    • Stops play immediately

  7. Illegal Substitution (5 yards):

    • Moving a piece to or from the sideline after pressing Ready
    • Stops play immediately

Section 7.2. Post-Snap Penalties

  1. Illegal Forward Pass (5 yards & Loss of Down):

    • Second forward pass during the same play
    • Forward pass after ball carrier crosses Line of Scrimmage
    • Penalty assessed after the play

  2. Holding (10 yards):

    • Counter-pushing an opponent (pushing back after being pushed)
    • If defensive holding, also results in automatic first down
    • Penalty assessed after the play

  3. Illegal Contact (5 yards & Automatic First Down):

    • Defensive piece makes contact with an eligible receiver beyond 5 yards from the Line of Scrimmage
    • Only applies before the ball is thrown
    • Does not apply after the ball is in the air (that would be Pass Interference)
    • Penalty assessed after the play

  4. Pass Interference:

    • Defensive Pass Interference:
      • Ball placed at spot of foul (or 1-yard line if in endzone)
      • Automatic First Down
    • Offensive Pass Interference:
      • 10 yards from previous spot
      • Loss of Down
    • Applies when pushing a piece in position to make a catch
    • Penalty assessed after the play

Section 7.3. Penalty Enforcement

  1. Timing of Penalties:

    • Pre-snap penalties are checked during formation and motion phases
    • Post-snap penalties are checked after each action during play
    • Some penalties stop play immediately, others are assessed after play completion

  2. Enforcement Rules:

    • Penalties move the ball specified yards in appropriate direction
    • Non-penalized team may choose to decline penalty if advantageous
    • Multiple penalties on same play: only one can be enforced
    • Offsetting penalties result in replay of down

  3. Special Situations:

    • Automatic first downs are awarded with certain defensive penalties
    • Loss of down penalties affect the down count
    • End zone penalties may result in ball placement at 1-yard line

Section 8. Special Rules

Section 8.1. Special Situations

  1. Fumble Recovery: First player to move onto the loose ball gains possession
  2. Out of Bounds: Plays that would push pieces off the board are illegal