description Extinction Chess (piece-type) Overview
Extinction Chess is a chess variant attributed to R. Wayne Schmittberger that replaces checkmate with a piece-extinction objective. A player wins by capturing every opposing piece of at least one chosen type, such as all of the opponent's pawns, bishops, rooks, or queens, rather than by attacking the king in the usual way. The variant makes the value and survival of each piece type part of the win condition, so material threats can matter independently of check.
help Extinction Chess (piece-type) FAQ
Who invented Extinction Chess?
Extinction Chess was invented by R. Wayne Schmittberger in 1985. Schmittberger was an editor of Games magazine and also created other chess variants.
How do you win Extinction Chess?
You win by capturing all of your opponent's pieces of one type, such as all pawns, both knights, or the opponent's king. Checkmate is not the winning condition. [The variant's rules describe the extinction objective](https://www.evochess.com/chess-variant/extinction).
Can the king be captured in Extinction Chess?
Yes. The king has no special royal status, so check and checkmate do not apply and a king can be captured like another piece.
How does pawn promotion work in Extinction Chess?
A pawn can promote to a piece other than a pawn, including a king. Promoted pieces count as their new type, so promotion can prevent or create an extinction target.
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