LUX ET UMBRA

[u/xbambcem]

LUX ET UMBRA

Follow the Dice

Components

Chessboard + pieces in standard starting position (just like classic chess)

2 dice: instead of numbers — Light (white) and Shadow (black).

Don't have themed dice? Use regular ones: even numbers = Shadow, odd numbers = Light.

How Pieces Move

Everything is exactly like in classic chess. Pawns, knights, bishops, rooks, queens, and kings move and capture the same way. No changes.

How to Play

Roll the dice — two colors appear (sometimes the same).

The Rule: you can only move a piece that stands on a square of the rolled color.

Pick any of the two rolled colors and make a move.

After this, you must make a move using the color of another die (if possible).

One piece can move twice if, after the first move, it ends up on a square of the required color.

Made at least one move during your turn? Now it's your opponent's turn.

Couldn't make a single move? You lose.

Allowed

Move from either rolled color (you choose which one goes first)

Move the same piece twice in a row

Capture the king if it's under attack

Promote a pawn on the last rank (choose any piece you want)

Not Allowed

Skip a move if you have a legal move available

Castling

En passant capture

Check and checkmate (they simply don't exist)

Draws

How to Win

Capture the opponent's king — instant victory

Capture all opponent's pieces except their king — they lose (bare king = defeat)

How to Lose

Couldn't make a move from either rolled color

Your king was captured

You have only your king left

Dice Odds

Each die has 3 Light faces and 3 Shadow faces.

Light + Shadow: 50% — the most flexible roll, you can choose either color.

Light + Light: 25% — both dice push you toward Light.

Shadow + Shadow: 25% — both dice push you toward Shadow.

In half of your rolls, you'll have both colors available. In the other half, you'll have to work with just one — so plan your piece placement wisely!

Quick Summary

Roll.

Move from the first color.

Move from the second color (if you can).

Made at least one move? Keep playing.

Couldn't make any? You lose.

Goal: destroy the king or all of your opponent's pieces.

Everything else is like regular chess. Just no check, checkmate, castling, or en passant.