How to Play

1. Choose one of six back-rank formations before the game begins.
2. Your King and Queen remain in their normal starting squares.
3. Your opponent chooses a formation independently and secretly.
4. After setup, standard chess rules apply.
5. Castling is available only for sides whose formation starts with rooks on the corner squares.
6. Non-corner-rook formations may use one Imperial Step: an unmoved, unchecked king may move two clear horizontal squares without passing through danger.

Multiplayer

1. Select Multiplayer.
2. Player 1 chooses Create Room and shares the 6-character room code.
3. Player 2 enters the code and chooses Join Room.
4. Each player secretly chooses and locks a formation.
5. Once both players are ready, the match begins.