What happens if more than 2 friends are in the room?
Secret Queen automatically builds a randomized knockout tournament bracket with fair byes while spectators watch hidden queens live on every active board!
secret queen
Secret Queen begins just like classic chess with one deadly twist: before move 1, each player secretly upgrades one of their eight pawns into a disguised Queen whose true power stays hidden until it makes a non-pawn move.
2–16 players
10–20 min
100% free in browser
no signup · no download
how to play secret queen online
- it's chess — but first you secretly pick one of your pawns to be your secret queen.
- it can move like a pawn, or like a queen whenever you want. your opponent just sees a pawn until it makes a move a pawn never could.
- nobody warns you about a hidden queen. walk into its path and it can take your king — game over.
- take the king or checkmate to win. more than 2 players? it becomes a knockout bracket (a draw sends black through).
quick tip: March your secret queen calmly like a normal pawn to lure your opponent’s king or rook straight onto a firing lane!
customizable lobby settings
chess clock
customizable in lobby
frequently asked questions
Can you export games as PGN?
Yes, finished games include standard SAN move lists and PGN export.
Does a pawn promotion keep the Secret Queen hidden?
If your secret queen marches all the way to the eighth rank using only normal pawn steps, its identity remains hidden until the game ends!