Variants

This page is a list of the different variants available in the base game, with their description and tips to play them. All of the variants are organized into categories — be sure to check out the table of contents on the right!

Some of the variants are already solved or partially solved. You can find a list of the variant's solved state here.

Not all variants give an equal chance to both players or lead to interesting play. They will be listed on this page nonetheless.

As of today, the most commonly played and analyzed variants are:
 * Standard - Default: referred to in the base game as "Standard", vulnerable to the F7 Sacrifice
 * Standard - Turn Zero: considered as a truthful and more balanced alternative to
 * Focused - Just Brawns: features many strategies with 5D Chess-specific mechanics in play and leads to complex positions
 * Standard - Reversed Royalty: balances the weaknesseses of the starting position and leads to interesting games
 * Standard - Princess: fewer vulnerabilities to the f7 sacrifice by weakening the queen

Standard Default

The strategy in this variant is explained in depth on the Standard page.

Defended Pawn

Half Reflected

Princess

This variant replaces both player's queen with a princess, which has a reduced moveset (it only moves orthogonally and diagonally).

Reversed Royalty

Turn Zero

Common Openings in Turn Zero

Two Timelines

Very Small Default

Open

Small Default

Centered

Flipped

Open

Simple No Bishops

No Knights

No Queens

No Rooks

Simple Set

Focused Just Bishops

Just Brawns

Just Dragons

Just Kings

Just Knights

Just Pawns

Just Queens

Just Rooks

Just Unicorns

Misc Excessive Gobal Warming King of Kings Royal Queen Showdown

Misc Timeline Battleground Formation Fragments Invasion Marauders Skirmish Strategos Tactician

Checkmate Practice Bishop

Knight

Pawns

Queen

Rook