description Extinction Chess Overview
Extinction chess is a chess variant associated with chess writer R. Wayne Schmittberger. Instead of winning by checkmate, a player wins by capturing every remaining opposing piece of any one type, such as all pawns, rooks, bishops, knights, or queens. The king is not necessarily treated as uniquely royal, so strategy centers on protecting whichever piece category is closest to extinction while threatening an opponent's vulnerable category.
help Extinction Chess FAQ
How does Extinction Chess differ from checkmate chess?
You win by capturing every remaining opposing piece of one type, such as all pawns or all rooks, instead of checkmating the king. The king is not necessarily the central target in the way it is in orthodox chess.
Who is associated with Extinction Chess?
The variant is associated with chess writer R. Wayne Schmittberger. His writing helped bring several chess variants, including extinction-style objectives, to a wider English-speaking audience.
Can you win Extinction Chess by taking all the queens?
Yes, capturing every opposing queen can satisfy the extinction condition if queens are the selected piece type. The same basic idea can apply to pawns, rooks, bishops, or knights.
Does the king have to be checkmated in Extinction Chess?
No. Checkmate is not the normal winning condition, because the game is decided by eliminating one complete opposing piece class. Rules concerning check and the king can vary by implementation, so the specific software or rulebook should be checked.
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