user33297: If I remove a king from one side, which side has an advantage?
Say, the losing condition will change for that side to "no pieces left".
Removing king = one less way to lose, but an extra piece is an extra piece.

user4418: Removing one player's king would have two effects:

In the endgame the king is notionally worth 4 points as an attacking piece, more than a knight or bishop and almost as much as a rook. That is a massive advantage for the player with the king.

However, as Sigbert Tarrasch said, "Before the endgame, the Gods have placed the middle game"

In the opening and middle game the player without the king has a massive advantage. Checks and tactics involving the king (pins, skewers, back rank threats) all disappear. The one weakness in the kingless player's position, f2, can generally be defended by moves like f3 (no longer a weakening move, instead it supports the center and prevents a piece like a knight or bishop coming to g4), Nh6 and Qe1 (also lining up the queen against the opponent's king).

The net effect would be to make the game very unbalanced but favouring the player without the king since their advantage comes first.

33297: <p>If I remove a king from one side, which side has an advantage?
Say, the losing condition will change for that side to &quot;no pieces left&quot;.</p>
<p>Removing king = one less way to lose, but an extra piece is an extra piece.</p>
 4418: <p>Removing one player's king would have two effects:</p>
<ol>
<li>In the endgame the king is notionally worth 4 points as an attacking piece, more than a knight or bishop and almost as much as a rook. That is a massive advantage for the player with the king.</li>
</ol>
<p>However, as Sigbert Tarrasch said, &quot;<em>Before the endgame, the Gods have placed the middle game</em>&quot;</p>
<ol start="2">
<li>In the opening and middle game the player without the king has a massive advantage. Checks and tactics involving the king (pins, skewers, back rank threats) all disappear. The one weakness in the kingless player's position, f2, can generally be defended by moves like f3 (no longer a weakening move, instead it supports the center and prevents a piece like a knight or bishop coming to g4), Nh6 and Qe1 (also lining up the queen against the opponent's king).</li>
</ol>
<p>The net effect would be to make the game very unbalanced but favouring the player without the king since their advantage comes first.</p>
