Bughouse is a popular variant of chess played by four players in teams of two. Each player controls a standard chess set and board. The unique aspect of Bughouse is that when a player captures an opponent’s piece, they hand it to their partner, who can then place that piece on their board as a move on their turn. The game is fast-paced and dynamic, requiring not only individual strategic thinking but also strong teamwork and coordination between partners. The objective remains the same as traditional chess – checkmating the opponent’s king – but the gameplay in Bughouse is characterized by good communication and the need to focus on two boards at once.
Scholastic Chess coaches know that young chess players often gravitate towards Bughouse for its fast-paced, dynamic, and social nature. The rapid back-and-forth exchanges, quick thinking, and intense coordination required in Bughouse creates a thrilling and immersive experience that is a favorite in after-school chess clubs. Most states now include a Bughouse chess tournament as part of their annual state championships and US Chess does the same at the National Championships.
On July 4, 2024, my son and I partnered up for a two hour session of Bughouse on Chess(dot)com. I hope all the fun we had together encourages other chess parents to team up with their children and give Bughouse chess a try!