ChessschoolHorde chess rules – 36 pawns against a full army
White plays with a wall of pawns and no king. Black uses the usual pieces.
How does this variant work?
In the Lichess setup White starts with 36 pawns and Black sets up normally. White pawns on rank one may also advance two squares when their path is clear. Black cannot capture that two-square move from rank one en passant.
What should you look for in your first game?
White must checkmate the black king. Black must capture every white pawn and every piece promoted from one. As White, keep pawns supporting each other. As Black, look for a file you can open for a rook.
Try it yourself
White has only a queen left, promoted from a pawn. Has Black won?
Show the answer
No. The queen is still part of White’s army. Black must also capture it to win that way.
An easy rule to overlook
The front pawns can protect each other, but they cannot go backwards. Consider which square a pawn leaves behind when it advances. Black may suddenly gain access to a file that was previously blocked.
Keep practising
Read the full rules · Read the related chess guide · See all variants