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{{incomplete|needs=Needs information on Pokémon Battle Chess W gameplay}}
{{Boardgame Infobox
|colorscheme=Unova
|name=ポケモンバトルチェス
|subtitled=Pokémon Battle Chess
|image=Pokémon Battle Chess BW.png
|image_size=300
|caption=Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version
|image2=Pokémon Battle Chess W.png
|caption2=Pokémon Battle Chess W
|image_size2=250
|date=December 26, 2011<small> Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version</small><br />May 18, 2012 <small>Pokémon Battle Chess</small><br />December 28, 2012 <small>Pokémon Battle Chess W</small>
|publisher=[[The Pokémon Company]]
|age=6+
|players=2
|links= 
*[http://www.pokemon-bc.com/ Pokemon-BC.com] (Japanese)
}}

'''Pokémon Battle Chess''' (Japanese: '''ポケモンバトルチェス''' ''Pokémon Battle Chess'') is a series of board games published by [[The Pokémon Company]] in Japan, based on the game of {{wp|chess}}, with some aspects of {{wp|shogi}}, in which the traditional chess pieces are replaced with Pokémon.

The first version of the game, '''Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version''' (Japanese: '''ポケモンバトルチェス ＢＷバージョン'''), was released on December 26, 2011,<ref name="products">[https://web.archive.org/web/20200808065551/http://www.pokemon-bc.com/product/ ''Products - Pokémon Battle Chess'' - Pokémon Battle Chess] (Japanese) (archived from the original August 28, 2020; retrieved March 3, 2021)</ref> and prior to this a demo was made available for players online as '''Pokémon Battle Chess WEB''' (Japanese: '''ポケモンバトルチェス WEB'''). A second version, simply named '''Pokémon Battle Chess''', was released on May 18, 2012<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120320010404/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2012/03/120315_g01.html?a001=news ''Popular! A new version of “Pokémon Battle Chess” appears in May!'' - The Pokémon Company] (Japanese) (archived from the original March 20, 2012; retrieved April 14, 2020)</ref> and a final version named '''Pokémon Battle Chess W''' (Japanese: '''ポケモンバトルチェスＷ''') was released on December 28, 2012.<ref name="products" />


==Gameplay==
===Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version===
Each player starts with two {{p|Patrat}}, two {{p|Zoroark}}, one {{p|Serperior}}, one {{p|Emboar}}, one {{p|Samurott}}, and one {{pkmn|Egg}} containing {{p|Victini}}. Each player also has {{p|Reshiram}} and {{p|Zekrom}}, so-called "Legend Pieces", that take up a 2×2 grid on the board and that can only be placed in certain circumstances. The aim of the game is to <!--beat all of the opponent's Pokémon without being able to place Reshiram or Zekrom, or to-->beat the opponent's {{p|Victini}}.

Pieces are only allowed to move and attack in certain directions. Unlike chess, there is a concept of power: if the attacker has more power than the defender, then it attacks instantly. If it has less or equal, it draws a Plus Power card, boosting the power +0, +20, +30, +40 or +70 (note that +0 is in the deck twice). If a +70 is drawn or if the deck runs out, all the cards get shuffled back into the deck immediately. If the attacking Pokémon has more power after the Plus Power, the defender is damaged; if the defender has more, the attacker is damaged. If they have the same power after the Plus Power, no one is damaged. 

Legend Pieces can only be placed on the board when the player loses a specific amount of non-Legend Pieces - three for Zekrom, four for Reshiram. A Legend Piece can be placed anywhere on the board, presuming there is room, but being placed on the board resets the count for a Legend Piece to be placed and ends the turn. Legend Pieces can attack two adjacent pieces at the same time.

When pieces are damaged for the first time, they are turned over and the second time they are damaged, they are removed. Victini and its egg are an exception. The egg can be damaged three times, each time a part going out of play, then the Victini hatches and behaves like a normal piece. The egg pieces do count towards summoning Legend Pieces. Usually power is lowered after damage but Emboar and Victini's power is raised.

;Initial layout
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{black color}}; border: 3px solid #{{black color dark}}
|-
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Patrat
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | Emboar
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Patrat
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | 
|-
| style="background: #{{black color light}}; {{roundybl|5px}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Zoroark
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | Samurott
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Egg
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | Serperior
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Zoroark
| style="background: #{{black color light}}; {{roundybr|5px}}" width=50px | 
|}

;Game pieces
{| class="roundy" style="text-align:center; background: #{{black color light}}; border: 3px solid #{{black color}}; width: 50%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:#{{white color}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Pokémon
! colspan="2" style="background:#{{white color}}" | Power
! colspan="2" style="background:#{{white color}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Movement
|-
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Initial
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Damaged
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Initial
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Damaged
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Patrat Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Patrat}}
| 60
| 50
| One square orthogonally
| One square orthogonally
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Zoroark Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Zoroark}}
| 70
| 50
| Up to two squares directly forward, one square diagonally forward, or one square directly backward
| Up to two squares directly forward, one square diagonally forward, or one square directly backward 
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Serperior Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Serperior}}
| 90
| 60
| Any number of free squares orthogonally
| Up to two squares orthogonally
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Samurott Blue Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Samurott}}
| 90
| 60
| Any number of free squares diagonally or one square directly forward
| Up to two squares diagonally or one square directly forward
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Emboar Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Emboar}}
| 70
| 100
| One square diagonally forward or directly backward
| One square diagonally forward, directly backward, or horizontally
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Egg Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>Egg 1
| N/A
| N/A
| Cannot move
| N/A
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Egg2 Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>Egg 2
| N/A
| N/A
| One square horizontally
| N/A
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Egg3 Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>Egg 3
| N/A
| N/A
| One square orthogonally
| N/A
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Victini Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Victini}}
| 40
| 80
| One square orthogonally or diagonally
| Up to two squares diagonally forward or directly backward or one square directly forward, horizontally or diagonally backward
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Reshiram Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Reshiram}}
| 120
| 100
| One square orthogonally
| One square orthogonally
|- 
| style="background:#fff; {{roundybl|5px}}" | [[File:Zekrom Yellow Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Zekrom}}
| style="background:#fff" | 110
| style="background:#fff" | 100
| style="background:#fff" | Up to two squares vertically or one square horizontally
| style="background:#fff; {{roundybr|5px}}" | One square orthogonally
|}

===Pokémon Battle Chess===
[[File:Pokémon Battle Chess.png|thumb|200px|The board and packaging for Pokémon Battle Chess]]
Gameplay for Pokémon Battle Chess and Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version is nearly identical; however, different Pokémon are used. Each player starts with two {{p|Magikarp}}, two {{p|Meowth}}, one {{p|Charizard}}, one {{p|Pikachu}}, one {{p|Venusaur}} and one Egg containing {{p|Togepi}}. The Legend Pieces are {{p|Lugia}} and {{p|Ho-Oh}}. Uniquely, when Magikarp is damaged and flipped over, it reveals its evolution {{p|Gyarados}} on the other side of the piece.

;Initial layout
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{black color}}; border: 3px solid #{{black color dark}}
|-
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Magikarp
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | Pikachu
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Magikarp
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | 
|-
| style="background: #{{black color light}}; {{roundybl|5px}}" width=50px | 
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Meowth
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | Charizard
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Egg
| style="background: #{{black color light}}" width=50px | Venusaur
| style="background: #{{white color light}}" width=50px | Meowth
| style="background: #{{black color light}}; {{roundybr|5px}}" width=50px | 
|}

;Game pieces
{| class="roundy" style="text-align:center; background: #{{black color light}}; border: 3px solid #{{black color}}; width: 50%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:#{{white color}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Pokémon
! colspan="2" style="background:#{{white color}}" | Power
! colspan="2" style="background:#{{white color}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Movement
|-
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Initial
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Damaged
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Initial
! style="background:#{{white color}}" | Damaged
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Magikarp Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Magikarp}} <br />[[File:Gyarados Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Gyarados}}
| 40
| 90
| ''Magikarp'' <br />One square directly forward or diagonally backward
| ''Gyarados'' <br />Up to two squares directly forward, up to two squares diagonally backward or one square horizontally
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Meowth Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Meowth}}
| 70
| 60
| Up to two squares directly forward, one square diagonally forward, or one square directly backward
| One square vertically or one square diagonally forward
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Venusaur Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Venusaur}}
| 100
| 70
| Any number of free squares orthogonally
| Up to two squares orthogonally
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Charizard Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Charizard}}
| 100
| 70
| Any number of free squares diagonally or one square directly backward
| Up to two squares diagonally or one square directly backward
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Pikachu Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Pikachu}}
| 80
| 60
| One square diagonally forward or orthogonally
| One square diagonally forward or orthogonally
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Egg 1 Green Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>Egg 1
| N/A
| N/A
| Cannot move
| N/A
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Egg 2 Green Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>Egg 2
| N/A
| N/A
| One square horizontally
| N/A
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Egg 3 Green Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>Egg 3
| N/A
| N/A
| One square orthogonally
| N/A
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Togepi Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Togepi}}
| 40
| 70
| One square orthogonally or diagonally
| Up to two squares orthogonally or one square diagonally
|- style="background:#fff" 
| [[File:Ho-Oh Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Ho-Oh}}
| 90
| 120
| One square orthogonally
| One square orthogonally
|- 
| style="background:#fff; {{roundybl|5px}}" | [[File:Lugia Red Battle Chess.png|50px]]<br>{{p|Lugia}}
| style="background:#fff" | 120
| style="background:#fff" | 100
| style="background:#fff" | One square vertically or diagonally
| style="background:#fff; {{roundybr|5px}}" | One square vertically or diagonally
|}
To use Ho-Oh, the player must have lost three pieces. To use Lugia, the player must have lost four pieces. The count is reset when either is used. Ho-Oh and Lugia are not considered lost pieces for this count.

===Pokémon Battle Chess W===
{{incomplete|section|needs=Needs gameplay information}}

Pokémon Battle Chess W (Pokémon Battle Chess Double) is a combined set of the two previous versions. In addition to all of the Pokémon pieces from both sets, the Plus Power cards, and a 6r×7c black-and-white game board compatible with the eight-on-eight setups from the previous versions, it adds:

- Two new game boards: a blue 4r×3c board for three-on-three battles, and a red 5×5 board for five-on-five. (Printed together on the reverse of the large board.)

- Plus Power dice, to replace the Plus Power cards in battle resolution.

The recommended game setup for 3-on-3 tense, close-quarters combat is Pikachu, Togepi (already hatched), and Magikarp. Resolve battles with Plus Power dice. Win by defeating the opponent's Togepi.

The recommended game setup for 5-on-5 strategic gameplay is Zoroark, Samurott, Victini (in its egg), Serperior, and a second Zoroark, with Zekrom in reserve. Resolve battles with Plus Power dice. Win by defeating the opponent's Victini or when there opponent cannot make a move.

An example game setup for playing the two versions against each other uses the 6r×7c board, the Plus Power dice, and an array of:
- Front row: Magikarp, Pikachu, Magikarp, Pikachu, Magikarp
- Back row: Meowth, Venusaur, Charizard, Togepi (in its egg), Charizard, Venusaur, Meowth
- Reserve: Lugia, Ho-Oh, Lugia
Against:
- Front row: Patrat, Emboar, Patrat, Emboar, Patrat
- Back row: Zoroark, Serperior, Samurott, Victini (in its egg), Samurott, Serperior, Zoroark
- Reserve: Reshiram, Zekrom, Reshiram

When you're comfortable with these example setups, you can try making up your own, by substituting different pieces, or substituting the Plus Power cards for dice.

==Pokémon Battle Chess WEB==
[[File:Pokémon Battle Chess Web logo.png|thumb|300px|Pokémon Battle Chess WEB logo]]
The Pokémon Battle Chess website includes a free {{wp|Adobe Flash|Flash}} single player demo version of the game, called Pokémon Battle Chess WEB (Japanese: ポケモンバトルチェス WEB). The game is based on Pokémon Battle Chess BW, using the same pieces and rules, and allows you to play against the computer. There are two modes; one is a step by step instructional mode, and the other is a regular game.

{{clear-right}}
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20201103054326/http://www.pokemon-bc.com/ Official website] <small>(archived)</small>
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20201111224117/http://www.pokemon-bc.com/document/images/PBC_bw_manual_eng.pdf Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version English instruction manual] <small>(archived - {{wp|PDF}})</small>
**[http://www.pokemon-bc.com/document/images/PBC_manual_eng.pdf Pokémon Battle Chess English instruction manual] <small>(broken link - {{wp|PDF}})</small>

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20200808062827/http://www.pokemon-bc.com/battle/ Pokémon Battle Chess WEB] <small>(archived - requires {{wp|Adobe Flash}})</small>

*[https://www.mobygames.com/game/browser/pokmon-battle-chess-web-bw-version Pokémon Battle Chess WEB on MobyGames]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DoubleProjectTag|Merchandise|Sidegames}}

[[Category:Board games]]
[[Category:Games]]

[[fr:Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version]]
[[zh:宝可梦对战棋ＢＷ版]]

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