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If you’re searching for the ultimate guide to the Blue Prince: Chess Puzzle, you’ve found the right place. In this in-depth article, we’ll explore every aspect of this enigmatic video game puzzle, from the intricate mechanics and room layouts to the secrets behind each chess piece and the coveted rewards that await you. The Blue Prince: Chess Puzzle is a standout challenge in the adventure–puzzle game Blue Prince, blending exploration, memory, and logic in a way that keeps players coming back for more. Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast, a fan of atmospheric games, or simply eager to unravel the mysteries of the manor, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer the chessboard and claim your prize. Expect tips on finding the puzzle, understanding the chess piece locations, and strategies for success—all while immersing yourself in the captivating world of Blue Prince.
What Is Blue Prince?
Blue Prince is a puzzle-adventure video game set in the sprawling, ever-changing Mt. Holly Estate. Players take on the role of an intrepid explorer, tasked with uncovering the manor’s secrets by drafting rooms, solving complex puzzles, and piecing together the story hidden within the walls. The game is renowned for its atmospheric setting, clever mechanics, and a variety of puzzles that range from straightforward to truly perplexing. Among these, the Chess Puzzle stands out as one of the most memorable and rewarding challenges.
The Chess Puzzle: An Overview
The Chess Puzzle in Blue Prince is not your typical chess game. Instead, it’s a unique puzzle that requires players to pay close attention to the rooms they draft and the locations of specific chess pieces within the manor. The puzzle board itself mirrors the estate’s blueprint—a 5×9 or 9×5 grid—rather than a standard chessboard, and players must place six chess pieces (King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, and Pawn) on the board according to where those pieces appear in their current run of the manor.
Key Features
- Dynamic Puzzle Board: The chessboard’s layout matches your current estate blueprint, making each attempt unique.
- Exploration-Based Clues: Chess pieces are found as statues or objects in specific rooms throughout the manor.
- Memory and Mapping: Success requires remembering or noting which rooms contain which chess pieces.
- Permanent Rewards: Solving the puzzle grants you a choice of powerful, permanent buffs tied to each chess piece.
How to Find the Chess Puzzle Room
To access the Chess Puzzle, you must first unlock the Precipice, a hidden area beneath the estate. This requires lighting four blue flames by activating gas valves scattered around the manor. Once all flames are lit, an elevator appears, taking you down to the puzzle chamber. Alternatively, draining the fountain and lighting candles in the mine tunnel can also grant access.
Solving the Chess Puzzle
Step-by-Step Solution
- Draft Rooms: As you explore, draft as many rooms as possible to increase your chances of encountering all six chess pieces.
- Locate Chess Pieces: Take note of which rooms contain each chess piece. The possible locations for each piece are consistent, but their placement on your estate’s map will change each run.
- Enter the Precipice: Once you have at least one room containing each chess piece, head to the Precipice and approach the chessboard.
- Place Pieces: Place each chess piece on the board square that corresponds to its room’s location in your current estate layout. The correct spot will light up when a piece is placed correctly.
- Claim Your Reward: After all six pieces are correctly placed, the puzzle is solved, and you’ll be offered a choice of permanent buffs.
Chess Piece Locations
| Chess Piece | Possible Room Locations |
|---|---|
| Pawn | Den, Bedroom, Storeroom, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Walk-In Closet, Secret Passage, Freezer, Parlor, Nursery, Guest Bedroom, Bunk Room, Solarium, Lost and Found |
| Knight | Security Room, Observatory, Armory, Treasure Trove |
| Bishop | Attic, Chapel, Bookshop, Rumpus Room |
| Rook | Clock Tower, Nook, Conservatory, Vault |
| Queen | Study, Her Ladyship’s Chamber |
| King | Office, Throne Room |
Tip: The Pawn is the most common and can be found in many rooms, while the King and Queen are rarer and may require several runs to encounter.
Chess Puzzle Rewards
Upon solving the puzzle, you’ll be able to choose one of six permanent powers, each themed after a chess piece. Here’s a summary of the buffs:
| Chess Piece | Power Description |
|---|---|
| Pawn | When you reach Rank 8 each day, choose Knight, Bishop, Rook, or Queen and gain their power until day’s end. |
| Knight | Add the Armory to your drafting pool. |
| Bishop | No tithes required; earn bonus gold the first time you enter each day. |
| Rook | Draw floor plans up to four times when drafting corner rooms. |
| Queen | Rooms in the Queen’s (West Wing) lose steps and gain efficiency. |
| King | Each day, select a color; rooms of that color are more likely to be drawn. |
The King’s power is often considered the most versatile, letting you influence room drafting, while the Knight and Pawn offer unique strategic advantages.
