an anonymouslizard game
ESCAPE THE CHESS DUNGEON
A CHESS ROGUELIKE
WHO ARE YOU YOUR CHARACTER
ORIGIN
NAME
BODY TYPE
King
PIECE COLOR
CROWN COLOR
CHOOSE YOUR FATE DIFFICULTY
NORMAL
500 – 1500 ELO
The intended experience. Early floors ease you in, but the dungeon grows ruthless as you climb.
HARD
1500 – 2200 ELO
For those who have escaped before. The floor begins harder than Normal's peak. Advanced chess skill required.
THE CHESS
DUNGEON
This project is currently under development. If you are reading this, thank you for playtesting!
Choose Your Origin
Select an origin to view details
The Laws of the Board
I
Influence
Your throne is gone but your name still carries weight in these halls. Before each confrontation, you spend influence to rally pieces to your cause. Pawns are cheap. Knights cost favours. Queens cost everything.
II
The Arrangement
You position your loyalists in the two rows nearest to you. Your opponent marshals their own. Neither side reveals their formation until the first move is made.
III
The Board
Win by checkmate — or strip your enemy of every piece until their king stands alone and concedes. Every victory opens the next gate. Every gate leads closer to the surface.
IV
Crowns
You carry three Crowns — the last proof of who you were. Each defeat shatters one. When the last Crown breaks, the dungeon claims you forever. Some paths may restore what was lost.
V
The Way Out
Three floors. Your escape is anything but certain. Scavenge potions, earn relics, and exploit every advantage the dungeon offers — you will need all of it to reach the surface.
Your Forces
King
Moves one square in any direction. Must be protected at all costs — if checkmated, you lose.
ALWAYS IN PLAY
Queen
Moves any number of squares in any direction — horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. The most powerful piece on the board.
COST: 9
Rook
Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically. Strong in open files and endgames.
COST: 5
Bishop
Moves any number of squares diagonally. Each bishop is bound to one colour of square for the entire game.
COST: 3
Knight
Moves in an L-shape — two squares in one direction and one to the side. The only piece that can jump over others.
COST: 3
Pawn
Moves one square forward, or two on its first move. Captures diagonally. Promotes to any piece upon reaching the far rank.
COST: 1
Floor
1
Base Influence
0
Crowns
♔ ×3
Wins
0
Relics
⚡ Event
SET THE STAKES
Choose your starting budget
Opponent Personality
Opponent ELO
800
400800120016002200
THE PRISONER
Player
VS
Draft Influence
YOUR INFLUENCE
25
/ 25
Piece Shop
Your Roster
Cost
0 pts
Board
Piece Tray
Select a piece · click your zone
Board
♟ White to Move
Opponent Contemplates
Enemy Losses
The Prisoner
Player
Your Losses
VICTORY
By Checkmate
Abandon Match?
Progress will be lost
Raise the White Flag?
You will be marked defeated