How to Play 4-Player Chess

4chess is a team variant of chess where four players share one standard 8×8 board, split into two teams of two. This guide walks you through everything you need to start playing — from the basic setup to advanced team strategy.

The basic idea

Most people know chess as a duel between two players. 4chess keeps the classic board, pieces, and movement rules you already know, but adds a twist: instead of one player per side, two players control each army. The White side is played by two teammates — labelled W1 and W2 — and the Black side by B1 and B2.

This small change transforms the game. Every move is now part of a shared plan, every blunder affects your partner, and victory belongs to the team rather than the individual. It rewards communication, coordination, and the ability to think two moves ahead for two people at once.

Setting up a game

There are three ways to get into a game on 4chess:

• Quick Match — the system automatically finds three other players of similar skill and starts a balanced game with no setup required.
• Private Room — create a room and share the code (or link) with three friends so you can all play together.
• Join a Room — enter a friend's room code to take an open seat.

Once four players are seated, the board is set up exactly like standard chess and the game begins.

Turn order

Players do not move at the same time. Turns rotate in a fixed sequence that alternates between the two teams:

1. W1 (White, player 1)
2. B1 (Black, player 1)
3. W2 (White, player 2)
4. B2 (Black, player 2)

After B2 moves, the cycle repeats from W1. Because teammates do not move consecutively, you must always consider what your partner might do on their turn — and what both opponents can do in between.

Playing as a team

You and your teammate share the same King and the same army. There is no division of pieces: any White piece can be moved by either White player on their turn. This means coordination is everything.

Communication

Use the in-game team chat to plan with your partner. Agree on which King to attack, who defends, and when to trade pieces. A team that talks will almost always beat a team that plays two separate games on the same board.

Protecting each other

If your King is in check, only the player whose turn it is can respond to it. Your teammate cannot jump in out of turn to save you, so anticipate threats early and leave your partner in a safe position before passing the turn.

The team clock

Each team shares a single clock rather than each player having their own. The White clock counts down whenever it is White's turn — whether that's W1 or W2 — and likewise for Black. If your team's clock reaches zero, your team loses on time, regardless of the position on the board.

Available time controls:

• Bullet — 3 minutes per team
• Blitz — 5 minutes per team
• Rapid — 10 to 15 minutes per team
• Freestyle — no clock, play at your own pace

Because the clock is shared, you and your partner must manage time together. Spending too long on your move leaves less time for your teammate.

How to win

The goal is to checkmate either one of the enemy Kings. As soon as one opposing King is checkmated, the game ends and your team wins. You do not need to defeat both opponents individually — toppling one enemy King is enough for the whole team to claim victory.

Games can also end by resignation, by a team running out of time, or in a draw (stalemate, insufficient material, or the 50-move rule), exactly as in standard chess.

Captures and promotions

All standard movement and capturing rules apply. One important nuance: you are allowed to capture your own teammate's pieces if doing so helps the team's overall plan — for example, to clear a file or remove a blocked piece. Pawns promote normally when they reach the far back rank.

Strategy tips for beginners

• Control the centre together. Two players pushing toward the centre create overwhelming pressure.
• Pick one target. Decide as a team which enemy King to attack and focus your forces there.
• Don't leave your partner hanging. Before ending your turn, check that you haven't exposed your shared King.
• Watch both opponents. Two enemies move between your turns — always assume the worst they can do.
• Manage the shared clock. Play efficiently so your teammate isn't left in time trouble.