Objective
Each player controls one pawn. The goal is to be the first to move your pawn to any cell on the opposite side of the board.
- →SOUTH starts on row 1 and must reach row 9.
- →NORTH starts on row 9 and must reach row 1.
You also win if your opponent runs out of time, resigns, or forfeits due to a disconnect.
Starting positions
- → 9×9 board with 81 cells
- → SOUTH pawn starts in the middle of row 1 (column E)
- → NORTH pawn starts in the middle of row 9 (column E)
- → Each player receives 10 walls
- → SOUTH moves first
On your turn
On each turn you must do exactly one of two actions:
Move your pawn
Move to an orthogonally adjacent cell (up, down, left, or right) that is not blocked by a wall. Special jump rules apply when the pawns are adjacent — see Jump rules below.
Place a wall
Place one of your remaining walls on the board. Walls span 2 cells and can be horizontal or vertical. You cannot place a wall that leaves either player with no possible path to their goal row. Once all 10 walls are placed you can only move.
Wall rules
- ✓ Walls occupy the gaps between cells, spanning exactly 2 cells
- ✓ Walls can be horizontal (blocking north–south movement) or vertical (blocking east–west movement)
- ✓ Two walls cannot overlap or cross each other
- ✓ You can use walls to reroute your opponent but not to completely seal them off
- ✗ A wall placement that leaves any player with no possible path to their goal row is illegal and will be rejected
Jump rules
When the two pawns are on adjacent cells, special jump rules apply:
- →Straight jump: If there is no wall between you and your opponent and no wall directly behind them, you can jump over them to land on the cell behind.
- →Diagonal jump: If there is a wall (or board edge) directly behind your opponent, you can jump diagonally to either side instead.
Timer & time control
Online ranked games use a 10-minute rapid time control. Each player has their own 10-minute clock. Your clock runs only when it is your turn. If your clock reaches zero, you lose the game immediately — regardless of the board position.
The timer is enforced by the server so both players always see the same time remaining. Refreshing the page or reconnecting does not pause or reset your clock.
Resignation
You can resign at any time during an active game. A resignation is recorded as a loss for you and a win for your opponent. If the game is a rated match, ELO adjustments apply as normal. Resigning when the position is lost is good sportsmanship and is always preferable to intentionally disconnecting.
Disconnect & reconnection
If you lose your internet connection during a game:
- →Your clock continues running during the disconnection.
- →There is a 30-second grace period for reconnection. If you reconnect within that window and time remains, you can continue the game normally.
- →If your clock runs out while you are disconnected, the game is resolved as a timeout loss.
- →Game results from disconnections follow the same ELO rules as any other outcome.
Game modes
Play Online
Ranked matchmaking against a real opponent of similar rating. Requires an account. Results affect your ELO. Use the 10-minute rapid time control.
Play vs Friend
Create a private room and share the invite link or room code with a friend. Both players need an account. Friend games are unrated and do not affect ELO.
Play vs AI
Instant unrated practice match against our AI opponent. Great for learning the game or warming up. Requires an account. AI games are never rated.
Rating & ELO
Wall Chess uses an ELO rating system for ranked online matches. Here is how it works:
- →All new players start at 800.
- →Your rating goes up when you win and down when you lose.
- →Beating a higher-rated opponent earns more points. Losing to a lower-rated opponent costs more.
- →Only random online human vs. human matches affect your rating. AI games and private friend games are always unrated.
- →You need at least 5 rated games to appear on the Leaderboard.
- →Cancelled or abandoned games (before a result is decided) do not affect rating.
Mobile & touch controls
Wall Chess is designed to work on mobile phones and tablets as well as desktop browsers.
- →Tap a cell to move your pawn there (if it is a legal move).
- →Switch to wall placement mode using the wall button in the controls panel.
- →Tap a gap between cells to place a wall preview, then confirm.
- →The board scales to your screen size — pinch to zoom if needed.
- →Keep your screen awake during a game to avoid missing your turn.
Beginner tips
- ✓Always keep a path to your goal row — never wall yourself in.
- ✓Walls are limited. Use them strategically — forcing a long detour is more valuable than a small delay.
- ✓Move your pawn forward when your opponent uses walls. Advance when they are not threatening.
- ✓Count your opponent's remaining walls. A player with no walls left must move — plan your path accordingly.
- ✓Watch the timer. Playing quickly on moves where only one option is good saves time for complex positions.
- ✓Practice against the AI before playing ranked matches.