How to play

Chess, with an economy

Both players begin with a lone king and three coins. Your purse builds the army; your position wins the game.

1. 1
   Take one action. On every turn, either buy one piece, move one non-king piece, or move your king. There is no pass or hold action.
2. 2
   Earn. A purchase or a non-king move keeps your king in place and banks +1 coin. Moving your king earns nothing.
3. 3
   Deploy. A purchased piece appears on an empty standard starting square: pawns on your second rank, knights on the b/g files, bishops on c/f, rooks on a/h, and the queen on d. The purchase ends your turn, and the new piece can move on your next turn.
4. 4
   Protect the king. Outside check, legal army moves and purchases take priority; the king may move only when neither is available. In check, any legal escape is allowed—including a purchase that makes the king safe.
5. 5
   Finish. Checkmate wins. If the player to move has no legal action and is not in check, the game is a stalemate draw.