MAGNETIC CHESS is a short, sharp game, with fascinating tactics! The object is to capture the enemy King. (The concept of 'check' does not exist here in the legal sense.) A move by any unit other than a King generates an imaginary magnetic impulse ("magnetism") along horizontal and vertical axes of the landing square that repels friendly units (except the King) to the farthest open square on that axis and draws in opposing units (except the King) to an adjacent square. For example, White could open 1.c4, pulling Black's pawn to c5, 1.c4(c7c5). Black could then move the Queen to a5, creating two magnetic effects, 1. ... Qa5(a2a4,c5h5). (Note that the black pawn at a7 is unaffected because it is already next to Ra8.) In this way, each move involves the rearrangement of anywhere from one to five units, but magnetism extends only as far as open spaces allow.

Kings are not affected by magnetism, nor can magnetism affect any unit in a line beyond either King. King moves do not create magnetism, but during castling a Rook move does.

Friendly pawns may be repelled to the first or eighth rank. Pawns on the first or second rank may always make a two-step move, even if previously moved. A friendly Pawn on an unobstructed file propelled to the eighth rank is immediately promoted; this is most effectively accomplished by moving a Queen or Rook behind the Pawn (so that the new piece is defended).