The rules of normal chess remain in place for normal moves, but you can also play cards to make special moves or activate special abilities.

 

Both players start with 24 cards in their deck, and 10 mana counters. For mana counters, you can use the cards included in the starter deck, draughts pieces, or any other tokens that you have in two different colours, even pebbles could do. Shuffle your deck, and place it face down next to the chess board. Place your 10 mana counters next to it, this is your mana pool.

 

At the beginning of the game each player draws 5 cards from their deck, this is their starting hand.

 

In your turn:

• If you have less than 5 cards in your hand, then draw cards from your deck until you have 5. If you have no more cards in your deck then you can't draw any more.

• Draw a mana counter from your mana pool, and place them in front of you so they are visible to your opponent.

• Either make a regular chess move, or (if you have enough mana) play a card from your hand, and pay it's mana cost. (the mana cost of a card is displayed at the bottom right corner of the card) The mana used goes back to your mana pool, while the played card goes to a separate discard pile, face down.

• At the end of your turn you may discard any amount of cards from your hand, placing them into your discard pile, face down. At the beginning of your next turn you can draw new cards instead. (be careful, discarded cards can't be drawn again)

 

Instant cards:

 

Instant cards can be played any time, in your opponent's turn, before or after his move, or in your turn before or after your normal move. Using an instant card doesn't count as making a move, but you still have to pay it's mana cost.

 

Permanent cards:

 

Some cards have permanent effects. Place this card face up next to the chess board so your opponent can see it. They will remain there and have their effects until certain conditions are met, which is always displayed on the card. When you remove a permanent card, put it into your discard pile face down.

 

Winning the game:

 

You can win the game by giving a checkmate to the opponent. The rules of regular chess still apply, but the cards can make some unexpected turns to the events, so better be prepared for anything.