Three-Check Chess
Checkmate still wins — but so does simply checking the opponent's king three separate times over the course of the game.
How the Rules Change
- Standard rules apply, but each time a player delivers check, it counts toward a running total. The first player to deliver three total checks wins immediately, even if the position otherwise looks completely equal or even losing for them.
History
Like several other popular variants, Three-Check grew primarily through online chess platforms as a fast, tactically aggressive alternative to the classical game.
Why Play It
It rewards aggressive, checking moves that would often be considered slightly loose or premature in standard chess, making for very sharp, fast-paced games.