ChessschoolAtomic Chess – how captures explode
A pawn next to the king can become a dangerous target.
How does this variant work?
A capture removes both the captured and capturing piece. Pieces on the eight surrounding squares also disappear, except pawns on those squares. Captures that would remove your own king are illegal, so kings cannot capture.
What should you look for in your first game?
On Lichess you win if the opposing king is caught in the explosion. Checkmate remains possible. Look around the target before counting how much material you win. The king’s location can matter more than the piece you capture.
Try it yourself
What disappears after Bxf7, and what happens to the pawn on e7?
Show the answer
The bishop, captured pawn and black king disappear. White wins. The pawn on e7 survives because it was on a neighbouring square.
An easy rule to overlook
A pawn on the capture square is still taken. The exception applies to neighbouring pawns. A king one square away is vulnerable even if the capture itself targets another piece.
Keep practising
Read the full rules · Read the related chess guide · See all variants