The differences compared with orthochess are the extra corner squares and the extended castling. Besides normal castling one can choose to move the king three squares instead of two. The rook ends up on its usual square. The corner square provides a hiding nest for the king should the player want to invoke play on the same wing and advance with the pawns. The extended castle rule also makes play on the wings easier to achieve. Queenside castle becomes more attractive. The extra corner squares will enhance the strategical possibilities.

Neoorthodox Chess can also be played with an extra piece placed on the extra square.

(1) The Divaricator captures by withdrawing from one or two adjacent pieces positioned at an angle versus the movement direction. If it moves away orthogonally it captures the diagonally adjacent pieces. If it moves away diagonally it captures the orthogonally adjacent pieces.

(2) The Zeppelin flies to any empty square orthogonally, ie. the rook-directions. It captures an enemy piece by landing immediately beyond its victim.