Tabula Rasa Chess

Placement Phase. White and Black alternate placing one piece at a time onto empty squares until all 32 pieces are on the board.

Pawns may be placed on your first six ranks (White: ranks 1–6; Black: ranks 3–8). Every other piece may go on any empty square.

Black's king is protected — it can never be left in check during placement. White's king may be checked any number of times during placement, but never by two pieces at once (no double check); you may not place your own king directly into check.

Play Phase. Once all pieces are placed, play standard chess — White moves first. No castling, no en passant. Pawns still promote on the last rank.