Chess Variants/Three-Check Chess

Introduction

Three-Check Chess is a variant where you can win by checking your opponent three times. The gameplay it introduces allows very many tactical opportunities.

History

It is currently unknown where three-check chess came from, but David Pritchard, author of The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, suspects a Soviet origin, and notes that Anatoly Karpov was an "invincible player" in his youth.

Rules

Three-check chess is played exactly like the standard game, with one key difference - if a player can make a legal move that places their opponent in check for the third time in the game, they automatically win. The move that delivers this check must be legal, so a player cannot deliver the third check whilst in check themselves.

A move is considered to give one check if the king is threatened, even if the move results in a double check.

Sub-variants

This chess variant does not not have any notable sub-variants.