Near vs Normal Chess pits pieces following Near Chess rules against those following normal chess rules. Either black or white side can play with the Near Chess rules, while the other side plays with regular chess rules. Players need to decide at the start of the game which pawn promotion and win conditions are used (Near or normal chess rules). People are encouraged to either download the rules here or read the rules on the Chess Variants website: http://www.chessvariants.org/index/msdisplay.php?itemid=MSnearvsnormalch