Core Rules

What is Wargame Chess?

Wargame Chess is a turn and activation-based tabletop wargame that uses a chess set, but also incorporates other gaming devices like dice and cards. The core rules to the game are a simple framework to support a plethora of faction options. Understanding faction differences and interactions accounts for most of the game’s nuance.

Wargame Chess is not a variation of traditional chess - though it uses the same pieces and borrows some concepts from it, it is a wholly different game.

What do I need to play?

Two players will generally need the following items to play Wargame Chess:

• A chess set (a board and a full set of pieces).
• 2 or more small items that fit within a board square to represent Joker pieces.
• Deck of playing cards (henceforth referred to as the Minor Arcana deck).
• All 22 Major Arcana cards from a tarot deck.
• Various dice to be used between both players:
  • Six or more 4-sided dice (d4's)
  • Six or more 6-sided dice (d6's)
  • Six or more 8-sided dice (d8's)
  • Six or more 10-sided dice (d10's)
  • Four or more 20-sided dice (d20's)
• 6 items to represent Trees on the board.
• Items to represent Blessing and Curse tokens.
  • we recommend different coloured poker chips, as these sit under most chess pieces very well
• Two distinct types of small dice to represent Advantage and Disadvantage tokens, place these next to pieces to keep track of such token quantities.
  • We recommend the dice used for Advantage tokens match the colour of your Blessing tokens, and the dice used for Disadvantage tokens match the colour of your Curse tokens.

Not necessary, but suggested:

• Themed pieces for your favourite faction
  • If these are not chess pieces, make sure your opponent knows what they represent before your game starts!
• Notepad
  • Use this to record information of a game which is not accommodated by the Activation Tracker.

To start a standard game

The next thing each player must do, after assembling the items mentioned on the previous page, is choose different factions. Each faction has different rules, strengths, handle certain situations better than others, or have tools at their disposal others wouldn't. You can find all factions here.

Most factions are not designed to pick up and play without pondering synergies and tactics. Your game will be far more enjoyable if you take the time to thoroughly read through your options and strategize.

Factions have varying degrees of rules and interactions you will need to be mindful of at key times. If you are unsure of how a rule is supposed to work, read through all the footnotes at the bottom of their page for clarification. If you are still left unsure as to how something functions, discuss and agree to a solution with your opponent.

To assess factions at a glance, they are assigned a star rating. Here is what they mean:

Star Rating	Explanation
★	These factions are fairly straightforward. New players and seasoned players alike should be able to understand their nuances quickly.
★★	Two-star factions require a bit more effort to learn. New players may need a few games to get comfortable with them. Experienced players should be able to understand them within a game or two.
★★★	Three-star factions may be difficult to pilot for newer players. Experienced players may need to play a few games with them to find their groove.

Building a team

Once both players have chosen a faction to play as, they will need to build a team list using options from that faction’s page. You can use the Activation Tracker or a notepad to organise your team, note rules that happen at certain times, and track other game information.

A team consists of exactly 14 points worth of Pieces and Upgrades.

Below we will explain how faction rules, piece choices, their quantities, and upgrades fit into your team list.

Faction Rules and Upgrades

Faction rules always apply their effects to that particular faction.

Upgrades are like Faction rules, except they have a point cost in parentheses after their name, and only apply their effects to that particular faction if you account for their cost in your team list. Be sure your opponent knows which Upgrades you have taken in a match.

Piece costs and quantities

The following point costs are the same across every faction in the game.

Piece type	Point cost
Pawns	1
Kings, Bishops, Knights, Rooks, and Jokers	2
Queens	3