4 Player Chess*

Four-player chess, often attributed to Captain Charles Verney who documented it in England in 1881, involves an expanded board and four complete sets of chess pieces in different colors. In Verney's version, players formed partnerships to try and checkmate both opponents simultaneously, while modern variants allow for various playing styles, including free-for-all and temporary alliances.

Fairness is influenced by the starting setup, and traditional two-player configurations can introduce bias; Verney recommended specific placements to ensure equality. While modern versions may vary the rules—allowing castling and requiring the capture of kings to eliminate players—there are no official rules recognized by the chess federation, giving players the freedom to create their own variations.