Atomic chess is a chess variant, which differs from standard chess only by the capture rule. In standard chess, the captured piece is removed from the board and the capturing piece takes its place. In atomic chess, both pieces are "killed" (i.e. removed from the board) because every capture releases an atomic explosion. Furthermore, this atomic explosion extends to all 8 surrounding squares. Any pieces caught in the surrounding squares are also killed with the sole exception of pawns. Pawns are killed only when they are involved in the actual capture event in the central square. Otherwise, they are unharmed and remain on the board. The game frequently ends with one king being caught in the explosion of a surrounding piece. However, checkmate still occurs frequently. A chess variant is any game derived from, related to or similar to chess in at least one respect. ... Chess is an abstract strategy board game for two players. ...

Because White has the initiative, Black is often preoccupied initially to fending off attempts to kill its king via atomic explosions directed at his pawn starting at f7. If Black survives, however, the tables can turn very quickly in this game of unabashed destruction. Notwithstanding, the first-move-of-the-game advantage enjoyed by White is much greater in this game than in standard chess (which is at the borderline of being too large). Hence, this game is imbalanced against Black – If White plays an incisive opening game, White will surely gain an advantage leading to victory regardless of how well Black plays.

A special rule in atomic chess is that when a king is in check, and a piece has the ability to explode its opponent's king, it may do so and win the game. Thus the explosion takes precedence over the check.

Another variant of this game is that the pawns will be killed by an explosion, but will not set off one, which drastically decreases the potency of pawn killers.

External links

• World of Atomic - games, tactics, openings, strategies, middlegame, and endgame
• Chronatog's Atomic Page - atomic history, openings, and endgames
• MoltenThinker's Atomic Page - tactics and endgames
• Atomic Chess Wiki - opening and endgame theory.
• Atomic Chess | Chess Variant Pages
• BrainKing.com - turn-based internet server to play Atomic chess.
• FICS - Full atomic support.
• Chess Live - Full atomic support on version 4.2
• Open Atomic Chess Diary Open Atomic Chess Diary by Leonard Blackburn