If you enjoy chess but want something faster, sharper, and more puzzle-driven, Takes is a perfect fit.

Takes is a daily solitaire chess puzzle that strips the game down to its most satisfying element: capturing pieces. No openings. No waiting for an opponent. Just pure strategy.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to play.

The Goal of Takes

The objective is simple: Capture pieces until only one piece remains on the board.

There’s one important twist: If a King is on the board, it must be the final piece left standing.

This rule changes everything because you can’t just clear the board randomly. You have to plan your moves so the King survives until the very end. That said, don't be fooled into thinking that the King can only make the very last capture. The King should be last, but the King can also make more than one capture during the game.

The Core Rules

1. Every Move Must Be a Capture

You cannot move pieces freely like in a normal chess game. If you can't capture, you can't move.

2. Standard Chess Movement Applies

Each piece moves exactly as it would in a normal chess game: • Bishops move diagonally • Rooks move in straight lines • Knights move in L-shapes • Pawns capture diagonally • Queens move diagonally and in straight lines.
• Kings move one square at a time, any direction.

3. The King Cannot Be Captured

If a King appears in the puzzle: • You cannot capture the King • The King must make the final capture • The King can make multiple captures throughout a game.

Why Takes Is Different from Chess

Unlike traditional chess: • There is no opponent • There are no openings or endgames • There is no waiting

Instead, Takes is: • A pure logic puzzle • A sequence challenge • A test of foresight

It’s closer to solving a riddle than playing a match.

Tips for Solving Takes Puzzles

If you’re getting stuck, try these strategies to solve the daily Takes puzzle:

Think Backwards

Start from the end: • Which piece could be the final one captured by the King? • How does it get there?

Reduce Carefully

Don’t just capture randomly. Every move should leave the board in a state where future captures are still possible

Restart and Re-evaluate

Sometimes the solution isn’t obvious at first. Trying a different first move often unlocks the entire puzzle.

Play Takes Daily

Takes is designed as a daily puzzle game. A quick but satisfying mental challenge you can return to every day.

Whether you’re a chess player or just love logic puzzles, it’s an easy habit to build. One puzzle. One challenge. One moment of joy daily.

Ready to Try?

Play today’s Takes puzzle and see if you can leave just one piece standing.