Shadow Queen Chess

Overview

Shadow Queen Chess is standard chess with one secret twist: before play begins, each player secretly designates one of their pieces (not the King or Queen) as their Shadow Queen. That piece moves normally — but can also move and capture as a queen at any time.

Activating Your Shadow Queen

At the start of the game, click the ⬡ Activate Shadow Queen button, then click any of your pieces (except the King or Queen) to secretly designate it. A purple dot appears on your piece — only you can see it.

Reveal Conditions

Your Shadow Queen stays hidden until one of these occurs:

• It moves in a way its original piece couldn't — for example, a Shadow Knight sliding diagonally.
• Its position puts the opponent's King in check via queen-range that the original piece couldn't explain.

Upon reveal, the piece permanently converts to a queen on the board.

Special Rules

• The King cannot walk into a square the Shadow Queen could attack — this protection is silent (no reveal).
• A Shadow Queen that moves normally (without triggering reveal) remains hidden indefinitely.
• Spectators can see both Shadow Queens from the start.

Winning

Standard chess rules apply: checkmate, resignation, timeout, stalemate, or threefold repetition. The Shadow Queen adds bluff, deduction, and surprise — your opponent never knows which piece is secretly a queen.