Chess Is a Joke
9x9 chess board with Jokers and pawns

Introducing Chess Is a Joke (9x9)

An online-play and table-friendly variant featuring the Joker (freezes threats) and En Croissant (a twist on en passant). Freeze, flank, and discover new tactics.

New pieces & rules

Joker (J)

  • Moves like a knight (L-jump). Cannot capture; may not land on an occupied square.
  • Freezes the highest-value adjacent enemy (8 surrounding squares; king excluded). A frozen piece cannot move or capture (and cannot capture the Joker).
  • Retargets automatically if a higher-value enemy becomes adjacent.
  • If the Joker leaves, the last frozen target stays frozen for its next turn; if the Joker is captured, the freeze ends immediately.
  • Frozen pieces exert no attack/control — a frozen attacker does not give check.
  • Capturing a Joker is worth 0 points and does not reset the 50-move clock.

En Croissant

  • Both pawns must have previously made a 2-square first move (in their own files).
  • When they later become side-by-side (same rank, adjacent files) because one single-steps past, the opponent may play En Croissant on the very next move only.
  • Move: the opponent pawn steps diagonally behind the passer into its file (the square immediately beyond it). No capture occurs.
  • Effect: the passed pawn is frozen for its next turn only.
  • Expires if not used immediately; destination must be empty; normal bounds/check/freeze rules apply.

Table Play

Play Now

Online Play (coming soon)

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