zoom_in Click to enlarge

Alice Chess

▲ ▼

description Alice Chess Overview

Alice Chess is a chess variant invented by V. R. Parton in 1953 and named after Lewis Carroll's *Through the Looking-Glass*. The game is played using two separate chessboards, designated Board A and Board B.

A piece completes its standard move on one board, but upon finishing, it is immediately transferred to the corresponding square on the opposite board. A move is only legal if the destination square on the starting board is empty and the corresponding target square on the other board is unoccupied.

help Alice Chess FAQ

Who invented Alice Chess?

Alice Chess was invented by British chess-variant designer V. R. Parton in 1953. It was named after Alice's movement through the looking glass in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass.

How does Alice Chess use two boards?

A game is played on Board A and Board B, with pieces transferring between corresponding squares after a move. A move must be legal on the board where it starts, and the destination square on the other board must be empty.

Why do pieces seem to disappear in Alice Chess?

After a piece moves, it switches to the corresponding square on the other board, so it may no longer be visible on the board where it began. This creates the game's characteristic looking-glass effect and makes attacks difficult to track.

Does Alice Chess use the normal chess pieces and moves?

Yes, the pieces normally move and capture according to standard chess rules, but the two-board transfer rule changes the tactics completely. Many versions also omit en passant, so players should agree on that rule before starting.

swap_horiz

Looking for Alice Chess alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward