What is Duck Chess? How the Chess Variant Is Played

Chess, a game known for its strategic depth and centuries-old tradition, has inspired many variations throughout history. One of the most interesting, intriguing, and whimsical adaptations is “Duck Chess”, a unique and exciting twist on the classic game, that slightly changes its rules and creates a completely different adventure.

Let’s explore the fascinating history of Duck Chess, delve into its intriguing variations, and uncover what makes it a beloved pastime for enthusiasts around the world.

Rubber duck on black background

The History of Duck Chess

The origins of this intriguing variation of classical chess can be traced back to the 19th century in rural England, where farmers and villagers sought a pastime that combined their love for chess and the charm of local wildlife. The game quickly gained popularity as players discovered the tactical brilliance of using ducks as blockers, which added an unexpected twist to the traditional chess narrative.

There have been many variations of Duck Chess throughout history. While some variations included multiple ducks used for creating formidable defensive lines and adding a different term of complexity to the game, some incorporated rubber ducks that took the role of the knights.

Some legends and folklore tales mention noble rulers who, seeking amusement, replaced traditional chess pieces with miniature wooden duck figures. They found amusement in watching the duck-themed chess games unfold since the charming duck figurines added a lighthearted and entertaining element to the game. Over time, enthusiasts began crafting their own custom duck sets out of wood, usually designed with vivid and vibrant colors and whimsical patterns.

However, the modern variation of Duck Chess was invented in 2016, by Dr. Tim Paulden, the president of Exeter Chess Club from Devon, England. It follows the regular chess rules but also includes a duck that acts as a “blocker” and that both players need to move after finishing their turn.

You can find some interesting and relevant info on the Duck Chess website, and even order a Duck Chess t-shirt or make a donation.

Although it wasn’t quite popular initially, the modern variation of Duck Chess went viral in 2022 after the popular content creator Eric Rosen played it on his stream which got over 130K views! Some other popular streamers, including GM Hikaru Nakamura and IM Levy Rozman, also played this variation on their streams, further increasing the game’s popularity.

On top of that, the game has suddenly gone even more viral in October 2022, after being added to the Chess.com variants platform. Seeing Duck Chess reaching a broader audience daily and watching people incorporating hundreds of different tactics into this variant is thrilling.

How to Play Duck Chess?

There are different variations of Duck Chess games. However, we will talk about the most popular variant today, which has caught the attention of many players and enthusiasts worldwide. Its rules follow most of the rules of regular chess, except for the following differences:

  • With each turn, players must make a standard chess move, then move the duck to an empty square on the board.
  • Moving the duck is not optional - players must move the duck each turn after their standard move.
  • The duck, known as “the blocker”, blocks the square on which it is placed, making it impossible for other pieces to move to or through it.
  • Knights are the only pieces that can jump over the duck.
  • There are no checks or checkmates - players win by capturing the enemy king.
  • Kings can move to and castle through attacked squares.
  • Players can also win by getting stalemated. Stalemates happen when there are no legal moves, or in other words, when all of a player’s pieces are blocked by other pieces or the duck.

Duck Chess - Check and Checkmate?

There is no concept of check - you win the game by capturing the opponent’s king. That being said, you are allowed to make a move that doesn’t remove the existing attack on your king, or do a capture with your king that places it on an attacked square. However, if you do this, it is strongly advised to use the duck movement to block the attack and prevent the opponent from capturing your king - although it is not mandatory.

Chess pieces with white king fallen over

Duck Chess - The Fowling Rule

If you’ve been googling anything related to Duck Chess, you might have heard of its special “fowling” rule, which happens in place of a stalemate. Basically, if the player on the turn has no possible moves, not even a king move on the attacked square, it means that the player without a move has been “fowled” and immediately wins the game. However, due to a meager chance of this happening, the rule has virtually no impact on practical play and is mainly relevant to composed Duck Chess problems.

There is also no stalemate in the usual sense. For example, the position WK a1 / BK a3 / Duck b1 with White to move is a win for the Black player, because the White is forced to move his king to either a2 or b2, where it can be captured by the king of the Black player. In this example, the White player cannot block with the duck.

Duck Chess - Notation

The standard way of recording a move in this chess variant is to write down the move portion in the usual way, followed by the “@” symbol and the square on which the duck was placed. For example, the “Qxh7@g5” move indicates the move Qxh7, followed by the duck figure being placed at g5. Also, there is no symbol for check or checkmate.

Conclusion

Duck Chess is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity within the chess gaming community. Its fusion of strategic depth and whimsy has created a unique space in chess, inviting players to revel in the quack-tastic journey across the board. Whether you are a seasoned player or a newcomer to the world of chess, Duck Chess offers a unique charm and challenges that you might find intriguing. And all you need is a good chess board, a normal set of pieces, and a duck!