Video Chess
This is an early home chess game. The standard U. S. chess rules are used in this game. To move a piece, place the X on the board onto the piece to be moved then press the red button. Next, move the X to where you want the piece to go and press the button again. If the move is illegal, the 2600 will give a warning sound and not make the move.To castle your king, the king and rook must not have been moved. You move your king two squares in the direction of the rook to castle with. The 2600 will then automatically move your rook around your king, completing the move. You cannot castle out of check and you cannot castle to the king's side if any squares between the king and rook are threatened....
- Genre
- Board Games
- Year
- 1979
- Developer
- Atari, Inc.
- Publisher
- Atari, Inc.
- Players
- 1
P2P Netplay available on compatible cores
Video Chess frequently asked questions
How do I play Video Chess online with a friend?
Video Chess (Atari 2600) can be played online with friends using Etera's P2P netplay. Create a room in the launcher and invite your friend, who joins through the invite. Step by step:
- Download the Etera launcher for Windows or Linux and create your account.
- Ask your friend to do the same and add them to your friends list.
- Pick the game in the library and create a netplay room.
- Invite your friend: they accept the invite and join the room.
- The launcher keeps dependencies on the same version for both players, avoiding desync.
How do I play Video Chess on PC?
Download the Etera launcher (Windows or Linux), find Video Chess in the Atari 2600 library and click to download. The launcher handles the emulator and setup for you.
Does Video Chess netplay lag?
Etera uses a direct P2P connection between players, which usually means low latency. Results depend on each player's internet quality.
Can I play Video Chess for free?
Yes. Every account gets a 5-day trial with premium features. After that, the free plan allows 3 new games per day and 1 netplay session per day. Premium raises those limits.
Play Video Chess on Etera
Download the launcher for Windows or Linux, find this game in the library and play solo or with friends.
Get Etera
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