---
title: "King of the Hill"
slug: "king-of-the-hill"
board: "8×8"
players: "2"
parent: "moddable-chess"
order: 29
win: "Checkmate or king reaches centre 4 squares"
special: "Moving your king to d4/d5/e4/e5 is an instant win."
---

## King of the Hill

Move your King to the centre four squares for an instant win. Transforms the King from a liability into an offensive weapon.


{{svg:king-of-the-hill-board.svg "King of the Hill — starting position"}}

### Setup

**Board:** Standard 8×8.

**Setup:** Standard chess setup.

**FEN:** `rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1`

### Rules

All standard chess rules apply. No modifications to piece movement, captures, or special moves.

### Win Condition

- Checkmate (as normal), OR
- Move your King to any of the four centre squares (d4, e4, d5, e5).

### Strategy

The King becomes an attacking piece. You must balance aggression (advancing the King) with safety (not exposing it to check). Games are shorter and more tactical — passive play is punished because the opponent can simply march their King to the centre.

### Attribution

Popularised on Lichess and Chess.com. Public domain.