Chess with HP. Every move is a battle.
Classic chess moves. Lasting damage. Bring the enemy king down — one battle at a time.
First battle with a bot · no account needed
No download · iPhone, Android and desktop
- BEFORE
- 5/5 HP
- DMG / 3
- −3 HP
- AFTER
- 2/5 HP
How combat works
- ROOK / G55 HPBEFORE
- ROOK ATTACK−2 HPDMG / 2
- ROOK / G53 HPPIECE SURVIVES
- FINISHING ATTACK−3 HPDMG / 4
- ROOK / G50 HPPIECE DESTROYED
The opponent takes their turn between your attacks.
Meet the armies
Browse army styles
A chess variant with a different way to win
CritChess is combat chess, not a replacement for classical chess. You still plan around an 8×8 board, familiar piece movement and alternating turns. The difference is health: an attack can wound a piece without capturing it. Build a coordinated assault, protect weakened units and bring the opposing king to zero HP.
Before your first battle
Can I try the puzzles without creating an account?
Yes. The public daily challenge and interactive tactics examples are free without sign-in. A free account adds five destruction puzzles a day; Premium provides thirty and move hints. Puzzle targets stay still, unlike an opponent in a normal match.
How is chess with HP different from regular chess?
Pieces have health and damage values. A surviving defender holds its square, and the attacker stays in place. Only a finishing blow removes the defender and lets the attacker occupy its square.
Do pieces move like standard chess pieces?
Yes. Pawns, knights, bishops, rooks, queens and kings use their familiar movement. Castling, promotion and en passant are supported. Check and checkmate are replaced by defeating the king; kings may approach and attack each other.
Can I play against a computer or a friend?
The game has easy, medium and hard AI, casual online matches, ranked matches and private friend rooms.
Do paid armies make pieces stronger?
No. Army skins, boards, portraits and avatar frames change appearance, not HP, damage or legal moves. War Marks unlock cosmetics, not a competitive advantage.
Does it work on a phone without a download?
CritChess runs in a browser on iPhone, Android and desktop. You can add the web app to your home screen. After loading the game online, offline play supports local practice; online matches require a connection.