What is "bughouse chess"

n. A variant of chess played on two chessboards by four players in teams of two. Each player plays the other colour of pieces than his team-mate, to whom he passes the pieces he captures from his opponent. The teammate can then choose to put one of these pieces on his board as an alternative way of making a move.

Bughouse chess (also known as Exchange chess, Siamese chess, Tandem chess, Transfer chess, Double bughouse, Cross chess, Swap chess or simply bughouse or bug) is a popular chess variant played on two chessboards by four players in teams of two. Normal chess rules apply, except that captured pieces on one board are passed on to the teammate on the other board, who then has the option of putting these pieces on his or her board.

The game is usually played at a fast time control; this, together with the passing and dropping of pieces, can make the game look chaotic and random to the casual onlooker; hence the name bughouse, which is slang for mental hospital. The game is traditionally played as a diversion from regular chess both over the board and online. Yearly, several dedicated bughouse tournaments are organised on a national and an international level.

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