Apparatus and method of a variation of the game of chess are shown and described. The playing board is conventional. Playing pieces have two exposable faces including an initial face concealing identity of that playing piece, and a subsequently exposed face identifying identity of that playing piece. Initially, all playing pieces occupy conventional starting positions on the board, but with the face concealing identity visible to the players. The king is an exception, and is identified and placed in the conventional position for a king. Initial moves by each playing piece have move characteristics of that playing piece which conventionally occupies its space on the board. Upon completion of a first move, the face identifying identity of the playing piece is exposed. Moves subsequent to the initial moves have move characteristics of playing pieces identified by exposing the identity. The game may then be played according to conventional rules.