Check out Atomic Chess, our featured variant for November, 2024.

Since Java is no longer supported in most browsers, our Java applets probably will not run unless you install an extension that will run them. We recommend installing the CheerpJ Applet Runner extension on Edge, Chrome, or another Chromium browser. If your browser still does support Java, and you're not using this extension, make sure this site is listed in your Java exceptions list. You should find this in the Security tab of your Java control panel.

Heraldic Chess I

If you had a Java-capable browser, you could play Heraldic Chess I here.

You may only play the pieces shown on the cards currently in your hand. The object is to capture the enemy king. The deck is shuffled after every move. If you cannot make a legal move, all your cards are returned to the deck and are redealt.

There are many other games that can be played with a heraldic set. Especially these involve cards, dice, and so forth. Much of the fun seems to be experimenting with friends about the rules, so I have not made any applets.

You can obtain a set from the game's inventor, Modest Solans, in Spain. Click here for more information, or here for the rulebook.

Chess Variants

These are simple illustrations rather than strong opponents.

Bug Reports -- Thank you! Keep them coming!

Written by Ed Friedlander

WWW Page Added: Sunday, December 30, 2001