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Ponderchess / Chess variants

King of the Hill

Walk your king safely onto one of the four centre squares and you win on the spot.
Created
Unknown
Creator
Unknown
Where
Unknown
Board
8×8
What changes
Win in the centre

Where it came from

Nobody knows who invented it

King of the Hill adds a second way to win: reach the centre with your king. Its origin is unknown. It became widely played once online servers, especially Lichess, offered it.

The rule turns a basic principle on its head. In standard chess the king hides until the endgame; here it can become a racer, and both players must watch the centre as closely as their own king.

Why it was made: A simple twist that makes king activity and central control decisive from the opening.

How it differs from chess

  • The hillThe four centre squares d4, e4, d5 and e5 are the hill.
  • WinningYou win by moving your king onto the hill with a legal move, or by checkmate.
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Files a b c d e f g h
The hill: d4, e4, d5 and e5.

Your first game

  • Count king moves: a king on e3 is one step from winning.
  • Pawns on the centre squares stop the enemy king from stepping onto them.
  • Trading queens makes a king march much safer.

Questions

Can the king move onto the hill while in check?
Only with a legal move. The king cannot step onto an attacked square.

Sources