Skip to content

Ponderchess / Chess variants

Duck Chess

After every move, you must also move a rubber duck that neither side can pass through or capture.
Created
2016
Creator
Tim Paulden
Where
England
Board
8×8
What changes
A shared blocker

Where it came from

Well documented

Duck Chess was devised in 2016 by Dr Tim Paulden, who refined the rules through that year at his club in Exeter, England. It became widely known in 2022, when Chess.com and popular streamers took it up.

The duck belongs to no one. Every turn you move a piece and then put the duck somewhere new, usually to block your opponent’s best idea.

Why it was made: One neutral piece that both players control turns every move into attack plus defence.

How it differs from chess

  • Move, then duckAfter moving a piece, you must move the duck to a different empty square.
  • An obstacleNothing can capture the duck or move through it.
  • No checkThere is no check. You win by capturing the enemy king.

Questions

Can I play Duck Chess on Ponderchess?
Not yet. Our bot does not support the duck, but the variant is on our list.

Sources