Blue Prince challenges players with intricate puzzles that test their wit and exploration skills. One of the most engaging challenges is the Chess Piece Puzzle, located in the mysterious Precipice beneath the estate. This puzzle requires players to align six chess pieces on a 5×9 chessboard, mirroring their locations in the daily-changing estate layout. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of solving this puzzle and securing powerful rewards to enhance your gameplay.
How to Solve the Chess Piece Puzzle in Blue Prince
Step 1: Accessing the Chess Puzzle Room
The Chess Piece Puzzle resides in the Precipice, an underground chamber beneath the estate. To reach it, you’ll need to unlock one of two routes:
Blue Flame Route:
Locate and activate four gas valves scattered across the estate to light the four blue flames on the stone balcony east of the manor’s entrance. Once all flames are lit, an elevator will appear, granting access to the Precipice.
Fountain Route:
Drain the fountain in front of the manor to reveal a mine tunnel. Inside, find an altar and light its candles using a tool like the Self-Igniting Torch (available from the Armory). This action uncovers stairs leading to the Precipice.
Both routes require exploration and resource management, so plan your steps carefully to ensure you have enough to reach the puzzle room.
Step 2: Understanding the Chess Piece Puzzle
The puzzle features a 5×9 chessboard that mirrors the estate’s blueprint. Your task is to place six chess pieces—Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, Queen, and King—on the board, with each piece positioned on a square corresponding to a room in your current day’s estate layout that contains that piece. Correct placements cause the square to glow white, while incorrect ones yield no response.
Since the estate’s layout randomizes daily, the solution varies per run, making careful observation and note-taking essential.
Step 3: Identifying Chess Piece Locations
As you draft rooms to build the estate, certain rooms will contain one of the six chess pieces. The pieces and their associated rooms are:
Pawn (Common): Found in Bedroom, Parlor, Den, Storeroom, Guest Bedroom, Dining Room, Walk-in Closet, Drawing Room, Bunk Room, Secret Passage, Dormitory, Freezer, Solarium, or Lost and Found.
- Knight: Found in Security Room, Observatory, Armory, or Treasure Trove.
- Bishop: Found in Chapel, Rumpus Room, Attic, or Bookshop.
- Rook: Found in Nook, Vault, Clock Tower, or Conservatory.
- Queen: Found in Study or Ladyship’s Chambers.
- King: Found in Office or Throne Room (Note: The Throne Room requires drafting after collecting all three Microchips).
Pawns are abundant, but pieces like the King and Queen are rarer, so diversify your room choices to ensure you have at least one room for each piece.
Step 4: Drafting Rooms and Mapping Locations
To solve the puzzle, draft rooms to fill the estate’s blueprint, ensuring you include at least one room for each chess piece. As you place rooms, use the Blueprint map to note the exact row and column of each room containing a chess piece. For example, if the Chapel (Bishop) is in the second row, fourth column, you’ll place the Bishop on that corresponding square on the chessboard.
If multiple rooms contain the same piece (e.g., Pawn in both Bedroom and Den), you can use any one of those room’s positions for the Pawn’s placement.
Pro Tip: Keep a notepad or take a screenshot of your blueprint to track piece locations, as the layout resets daily.
Step 5: Placing Pieces on the Chessboard
With your room positions noted, return to the Precipice with enough steps remaining to interact with the chessboard. Drag and drop each chess piece onto the square that matches the position of a room containing that piece in your current layout. For example:
- Place the Pawn on the square corresponding to the Den’s position.
- Place the Knight on the square matching the Armory’s position.
When a piece is correctly placed, the square will light up. Continue until all six pieces are positioned correctly.
Step 6: Completing the Puzzle
Once all six pieces are placed accurately, the puzzle will resolve, and the walls of the Precipice chamber will rise, revealing large chess piece statues. This marks the successful completion of the puzzle.
Step 7: Choosing Your Reward
After solving the puzzle, interact with the giant chess piece statues to select one permanent power that will aid you in future runs. The options are:
- Pawn (Ambition): At Rank 8 each day, choose between the Knight, Bishop, Rook, or Queen power for that day.
- Knight (Mantle): Adds the Armory to your draft pool, unlocking items like the Knight’s Shield and Self-Igniting Torch.
- Bishop (Piety): Gain 30 Coins instead of paying tithes when entering the Chapel daily.
- Rook (Resilience): Redraw floorplans up to four times when drafting corner rooms.
- Queen (Gambit): Lose 5 steps but gain 1 key when drafting rooms in the West Wing.
- King (Banner): Choose a color daily to increase the likelihood of drafting rooms of that color.
Recommended Choice: The Knight power is highly versatile, as the Armory provides tools like the Axe, which removes gem costs for drafting. Alternatively, the Pawn power offers flexibility for advanced players who reach Rank 8 consistently.
Step 8: Changing Your Power (Optional)
If you wish to switch powers, you can repeat the puzzle on a different day. Draft a new set of rooms, note the new piece locations, and solve the puzzle again. Each solution requires starting from scratch, so be prepared to re-map the piece positions.
Tips for Success
- Track Locations: Since the estate’s layout changes daily, use a notebook or digital tool to record the row and column of each chess piece’s room.
- Prioritize Rare Rooms: Draft rooms like the Throne Room (King) or Ladyship’s Chambers (Queen) early to ensure you have all required pieces.
- Conserve Steps: Plan your route to the Precipice to avoid running out of steps before you can interact with the chessboard.
- Explore Guides: For additional insights, check resources like GameSpot or IGN, which offer detailed Blue Prince puzzle breakdowns.
Why Solve the Chess Piece Puzzle?
While optional, the Chess Piece Puzzle is a rewarding challenge that grants permanent powers, making subsequent runs easier and more strategic. The buffs, like the Knight’s access to the Armory or the Rook’s drafting flexibility, can significantly enhance your ability to navigate the estate and tackle other puzzles.
Conclusion
The Chess Piece Puzzle in Blue Prince is a brilliant blend of exploration, strategy, and puzzle-solving. By carefully mapping chess piece locations, accessing the Precipice, and placing pieces on the chessboard, you’ll unlock powerful rewards that enrich your gameplay experience.
Whether you’re aiming for the Knight’s versatile tools or the Pawn’s adaptable powers, this puzzle is a must-solve for any dedicated player. So, grab your blueprint, draft those rooms, and conquer the Precipice!
