Are Bishops Stronger in Chess? Players Left Puzzled by Latest Rule Changes

Chess enthusiasts were momentarily puzzled by a surprising announcement regarding a fictitious change to the game that drastically enhanced the power of Bishops. However, players should not worry about encountering this new rule in their own matches.

On January 17, 2025, chess.com sparked confusion with a tweet about an update introducing a move dubbed “Bishop Bosse,”suggesting that it would significantly bolster the Bishop’s capabilities. According to the social media post, “Once per game, each player can move their bishop to an empty adjacent square of the opposite color,” which would effectively strengthen strategic play in the endgame.

Chess Patch Notes V.2025.b 📔 NEW MOVE: Bishop Bosse– Once per game, each player can move their bishop to an empty adjacent square of the opposite color– This move uses your turn pic.twitter.com/dAItadQiQR

— Chess.com (@chesscom) January 17, 2025

The announcement took the chess community by surprise, leaving many players questioning whether it was a genuine update or merely a playful prank. Responses flooded in, with some users humorously noting, “We got chess updates before GTA 6!” while others expressed their disbelief with comments like, “DID CHESS REALLY JUST GET A FRICKING UPDATE!!!???”

Another Twitter user, clearly baffled, asked, “Wait, chess can get patches?” highlighting the confusion surrounding this playful mock-up.

The Truth Behind the Bishop Bossé Myth

Fortunately for chess purists and unfortunately for those who might have welcomed this change, the “Bishop Bosse” update was nothing more than a humorous fabrication. Although chess.com is a reputable source for news and updates, it occasionally indulges in lighthearted trolling, and this instance was no exception.

The platform later clarified through a follow-up tweet that the supposed rule change was a prank, stating simply, “This is a lie.” In response to a user voicing concern over the alteration of a game already rich in tradition, chess.com cheekily remarked, “Sorry! We don’t make the rules. Except this one.”

Sorry! We don’t make the rules. except this one

— Chess.com (@chesscom) January 17, 2025

Rule changes in chess are exceedingly rare, especially outside of professional circles, and the notion of introducing new moves is even less common. For context, the en passant rule, which is now universally recognized, was only established in the mid-1800s.

Therefore, players should not anticipate any official changes that introduce new movements to the game anytime soon. Nevertheless, history indicates that chess is full of surprises, and while this particular update was all in good fun, the future of chess may hold unforeseen twists.

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