🏁 Racing Kings: rules and free online play

A race on one board: get your king to the eighth rank first. Checks are forbidden for both sides.

Win: King reaches rank 8
Checks: Not allowed
Start: All pieces on ranks 1–2

Rules

Both armies start on the first two ranks, in two lanes. You may not give check or move into check, which makes the game a matter of blocking and speed.

If White reaches the eighth rank first, Black gets one more move to reach it too, and then the game is drawn.

Try the rules

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

How it differs from classic chess

Material matters only as a way to slow the other king or to clear your own path. Mobile bishops and rooks are strong for blocking lanes.

Tips for beginners

Do not rush with the king while your path is still blockable.
Use rooks to cut files that the opponent's king needs.
Count the exact number of moves for both kings before committing.

Play and practise

Choose “Racing Kings” 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.