Chess is one of the oldest strategic board games in the world, with origins tracing back to the 6th century in India. The earliest known predecessor, Chaturanga, is considered the direct ancestor of modern chess. Over centuries, the game spread through Persia (where it was known as Shatranj) to Europe, evolving further during the Middle Ages. Early on, players’ creativity led to variations of the rules, resulting in numerous chess variants over time that expand or alter the classic gameplay in fascinating ways.

Shatranj (6th–15th Century)

The earliest documented chess variant was Shatranj, popular primarily in the Arab world. It differed from modern chess mainly in the movement of the pieces: bishops and queens had very limited moves, making the game slower and strategically more complex. Shatranj laid the foundation for European chess variants and significantly influenced the development of modern chess.

Courier Chess (15th–18th Century)

One of the earliest European variants was Courier Chess, especially popular in Germany. It was played on an 8×12 board and introduced new pieces such as the “Courier,” which could move diagonally across multiple squares. Courier Chess influenced the later development of modern piece movements, particularly the queen’s emergence as the most powerful piece.

Capablanca Chess (20th Century)

Famous World Champion José Raúl Capablanca proposed an expansion of classical chess in the early 20th century to make the game more appealing for masters. Capablanca Chess is played on a 10×8 board and adds two new pieces: the “Chancellor” and the “Archbishop.” This variant aimed to prevent endless draws and elevate the strategic level of the game.

Fischer Random or Chess960 (1996)

Bobby Fischer’s Chess960 introduces an element of randomness: the starting position of the pieces on the back rank is randomized, with certain rules maintained. This reduces the dominance of opening theory and emphasizes creativity and overall understanding of the game. Chess960 is popular today in both tournaments and online play.

Bughouse and Other Team Variants (20th–21st Century)

In recent decades, variants like Bughouse or Tandem Chess have gained popularity, where multiple players compete simultaneously and captured pieces can be passed to a partner. These variants combine classical chess rules with new strategic dimensions, fast-paced decision-making, and social gameplay elements.

2025: ChessMissions App

Today, the ChessMissions App offers the greatest variety of chess variants. In the app, you can explore over 100 “missions” with new game modes and setups. For example, win in the “Capture the Flag” mode by moving a chess piece to the flag and then returning it to your base.

Conclusion

The history of chess variants shows just how creative and adaptable this ancient game is. Each variant reflects not only the cultural and historical context of its origin but also enriches classical chess with new strategic possibilities. For anyone exploring chess, these variants open up a fascinating world beyond the traditional 8×8 board.

Curious? Download the ChessMissions App now and try it out yourself!