🦆 Duck Chess: rules and free online play

After each move you also move the duck, a neutral blocker that nobody can capture or pass through (except knights).

Win: Capture the king
Check: Does not exist
Duck: Moved every turn

Rules

Each turn has two parts: move a piece, then place the duck on any empty square. Pieces cannot land on the duck's square or slide through it; knights jump over it.

There is no check or checkmate. You win by capturing the enemy king, so an unprotected king can simply be taken.

Try the rules

Pick a position and press a button to see the rule in action.

How it differs from classic chess

The duck turns every turn into a puzzle: it can block your own threat or cover the opponent's. Good players use it both for defence and for hiding attacks behind it.

Tips for beginners

Use the duck to shield your king, not only to block attackers.
Always look for the capture of the king before anything else.
Remember that the duck can be placed anywhere, including far from the action.

Play and practise

Choose “Duck Chess” in the game window and play against the Fairy-Stockfish engine or send a link to a friend. Ratings are kept separately for every mode. The site interface is currently in Russian; this page explains the rules in English.