description Racing Kings Overview
Racing Kings is a chess variant invented by the English game designer Vernon Rylands Parton in the 1960s. The game uses a standard board with a custom starting position in which pieces are arranged in rows without pawns. The objective is to move one's king to the eighth rank before the opponent does, and players are forbidden from giving check. If White's king reaches the eighth rank first, Black receives one additional move to attempt to tie.
help Racing Kings FAQ
What is the goal in Racing Kings?
The objective is to move your king to the eighth rank before the opponent does. Racing Kings uses a special starting position without pawns.
Who invented Racing Kings?
Racing Kings was invented by English game designer Vernon Rylands Parton in the 1960s. It is one of several chess variants he designed.
Why are there no pawns in Racing Kings?
The pawnless setup makes the game about rapid piece development, king routes, and controlling promotion ranks rather than ordinary pawn structure. The pieces begin in custom rows on the standard 8-by-8 board.
Can you play Racing Kings online?
Racing Kings is available as a named variant on Lichess. Its rules and board layout are built into the variant interface rather than being handled as ordinary chess.
explore Explore More
Similar to Racing Kings
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
