How to play Chess: The Next Move

Chess: The Next Move is chess with a few rules broken on purpose. Everything from classic chess still applies: the same pieces, the same board and the same ways to win. On top of that, each side gets a handful of one-shot twists that can turn a game around.

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The twists

Pawn Fusion

Two friendly pawns side by side can merge onto one square. A fused pawn can move one or two squares forward and can split again: one pawn stays and the other steps one square in any direction onto an empty square. If a fused pawn is captured, both pawns are lost.

Pawn-Knight Charge

A pawn next to a friendly knight can sacrifice that knight and charge straight forward until it captures a piece or reaches the end of the board, where it promotes to a queen.

Rook Re-Movement

When a rook captures a piece, on your next turn you may use the captured piece's way of moving once with that same rook. Capturing a pawn gives the rook a one-square diagonal move.

Royal Knightfall

Sacrifice both of your knights (both must still be on the board) and your queen gains knight moves for the rest of the match, on top of her normal moves.

Knight Defense Dash

If your king is in check, your knights can slide one to four squares in a straight, non-diagonal line to an empty square to help you defend.

Bishop Warp Strike

Your bishops share two teleports per match. Teleport onto any opposing pawn anywhere on the board and capture it instantly.

King Sovereign Leap

Once per match, your king can make a two-square compound move in any combination of directions. The king cannot pass through check.

Chaos Tiles (optional)

With Chaos mode switched on, random power-up tiles appear on the board. Landing on one grants a bonus, currently an extra Bishop Warp.

Ways to play

Against the AI: pick an opponent and difficulty. You can switch the coach on or off to choose whether you want help.

Puzzles: find the checkmate. Some puzzles need a twist, so they teach you the new moves as well.

Pass and play: two people on one device.

Online: create a room, share the code and play a friend on their own device.

Questions

Is it free? Yes. Playing the AI, puzzles, pass and play, and online games are all free.

Can I play offline? Yes. After the game has loaded once you can install it on your phone and play the AI, puzzles and pass and play without a connection. Online games need a connection.

How do I install it on my phone? On Android, open the game in Chrome and tap Install app. On iPhone, open it in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.

Can I drag the pieces? Yes. You can drag a piece to a square or tap the piece and then tap where it should go.

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