Upon the completion of these chess moves, the consciousnesses of the two players will swap bodies.
> WELCOME, O5-3.
> CHAIRMAN LAYTON HAS SENT YOU A PRIVATE MESSAGE. ACCESS MESSAGE?
yes
> "Three, the newest hidden camera model managed to survive this time around. The rest of the Ethics Committee would have my head if they knew I was sending the footage to you behind their backs, but that'll have to wait—the evidence here suggests that *any* of them could be compromised."
> "If you have a final trick of some kind up your sleeve, now would be the time to reveal it."
> CHAIRMAN LAYTON HAS ATTACHED TWO FILES FOR YOUR REVIEW. ACCESS FILES?
yes
> ACCESSING FILE 1/2: SCP-3751
Assigned Site
Site-71
Site Director
Dr. Mei Fukuma
Research Head
Pending Reassignment
Assigned MTF
Mu-5 "Pro Gamers"
Assigned Site
Site-71
Site Director
Dr. Mei Fukuma
Research Head
Pending Reassignment
Assigned MTF
Mu-5 "Pro Gamers"
Special Containment Procedures: Mobile Task Force Mu-5 ("Pro Gamers") is assigned to monitor all major chess tournaments for developing SCP-3751 events through digital and in-person surveillance. If an SCP-3751 event reaches its completion and is publicized, a cover story purporting mental health events due to stress amongst players is to be disseminated, with Class A amnestics being administered to witnesses when necessary.
All SCP-3751-X instances are to be detained and transferred to Site-71 upon discovery. Following three months of study by the Departments of Gaming and Psychology, an SCP-3751-X instance is to undergo a 5-7 day identity reconstruction process through Class F amnestics that aligns its memories and sense of self with the identity of the body it now occupies. The instance is then to be released back into the public so that it may live the life corresponding to its new identity, with routine monitoring being employed to ensure that this identity remains intact.
Update 02/14/2024: Following Incident 3751-A, the full sequence of moves that constitutes SCP-3751 is only available to personnel with Level 5 Clearance or higher. Any Foundation member that attempts to enact SCP-3751 for themselves—for any reason—will be subject to immediate containment and disciplinary action at O5-9's discretion.
Description: SCP-3751 is a sequence of moves that can be performed at the start of a standard.Variations in time controls are permitted, while variations in the rules that govern the pieces are not. in-person chess game between two human players. This sequence is written below in algebraic notation and is accompanied by an animated visualization.
The sequence of moves that comprises an SCP-3751 event (partially redacted following Incident 3751-A).
- d4 Nf6
- c4 g6
- Nc3 Bg7
- e4 d6
- f3 O-O
- Be3 a6
- Nge2 c6
- Qc2 Qa5
- █-█-█ ██
- ████ ████
- ███ ███
- ████ ████
Upon the completion of these moves, the consciousnesses of the two players will swap bodies. This is an exchange of minds, not brains—while identities, memories, and learned skills are transferred, traits attributed to the rest of the nervous system (e.g. muscle memory) or to the physical structure of the brain (e.g. traumatic brain injuries) are not. These swapped players—henceforth classified as SCP-3751-X instances—do not appear to exhibit any anomalous qualities following the initial SCP-3751 event.
Discovery: World Blitz Chess Championship 2023
SCP-3751 was first discovered during a World Blitz Chess Championship match between chess grandmasters Nina Evgenyevna and Sven Larsen on December 31st 2023. Upon inadvertently triggering an SCP-3751 event, both Larsen in Evgenyevna's body (designated SCP-3751-1) and Evgenyevna in Larsen's body (designated SCP-3751-2) reacted in confusion and shock. SCP-3751-1 then questioned SCP-3751-2 about the situation; in response, SCP-3751-2 darted up from its chair and sought to flee the scene. When a tournament arbiter approached the two players, SCP-3751-2 became violent with them and the security guards that ran in to intervene, and the panicked SCP-3751-1 futilely tried to explain the situation to confused bystanders.
Foundation agents watching a livestream of the tournament witnessed the anomaly and dispatched MTF Mu-5 before local law enforcement could intervene. A cover story.See Special Containment Procedures. was successfully disseminated, and both SCP-3751-1 and SCP-3751-2 were brought to Site-71 for questioning.
Date: 01/02/2024
Interviewed: SCP-3751-1
Interviewer: Dr. John Anshe
[BEGIN LOG]
Anshe: Hello, Ms. Evgenyevna.At the time of this interview, formal designations had not been given to SCP-3751, SCP-3751-1, or SCP-3751-2.. I'm h—
SCP-3751-1: I told you people already, I'm Sven. I was playing against Evgenyevna. I'm not her, I'm not supposed to be her, but damn it all, now I'm in h—
Anshe: Please slow down, ma'am. Before anything else, I need to ask you a few questions.
SCP-3751-1: So you aren't here to fix me?
Anshe: That depends on what "this" is. First, do you have any proof that you are who you claim?
SCP-3751-1: Well, let's see. My name is Sven Olsø Larsen. I was born in Nøtterøy on October 3rd 1991. My mother taught me how to play chess at the age of 6.
Anshe: All of this is public information. Can you offer something that only Sven Larsen would know?
SCP-3751-1: That only I would know?
Anshe: Yes. Assume I have the resources to verify anything you tell me.
SCP-3751-1 sighs unsteadily.
SCP-3751-1: I once got arrested during a vacation in Brussels. I was about 14 years old.
Anshe: Arrested for what?
SCP-3751-1: Assault and vandalism. I was… egging cars as I drove by on my scooter. One of the eggs accidentally hit a pedestrian.
Anshe flips through his files.
SCP-3751-1: Nothing actually came of the arrest, fortunately—it was more to teach me a lesson than anything else. The record of it was sealed ages ago, but I suspect you government-looking people will have little trouble digging it up.
Anshe: No digging required, Mr. Larsen. I have the file right here.
SCP-3751-1 sighs in relief.
Anshe: So, how did you become Nina Evgenyevna, exactly?
SCP-3751-1: I have no idea. I felt nothing besides regular fatigue as we played, but the moment she let go of her ██████, I got this massive headache. When I blinked, suddenly I was staring back at my own body.
Anshe: I see. Based on the information you've provided, all of your original memories are intact?
SCP-3751-1: That is correct, sir.
Anshe shifts uncomfortably.
Anshe: Do you possess any memories that don't belong to you? Glimpses of Ms. Evgenyevna's childhood, or knowledge of things only she would know?
SCP-3751-1: I do not. I am, however, finding myself instinctively using the wrong hand for things. I believe Evgenyevna is left-handed?
Anshe: Understood. Is there anything else out of the ordinary with this new body? Any pain, headaches, unusual emotions?
SCP-3751-1: All I can say is that it feels… unreal. My voice is too high, my face is too smooth, my body is shaped in all the wrong ways… I feel more like a parasite than a person. Is… am I able to go back to my old body?
Anshe: …We'll see what we can do.
[END LOG]
Date: 01/02/2024
Interviewed: SCP-3751-2
Interviewer: Dr. John Anshe
[BEGIN LOG]
Anshe: Can you describe in detail what happened during the match, Ms. Evgenyevna?
SCP-3751-2: Everything was a bit of a blur, honestly. It being a blitz match certainly didn't help—the moment we shook hands, we were moving at a kilometer a second. A lot of it is… instinct, I suppose? Obviously there's still plenty of planning involved, but when you're playing that fast, there's little time for second-guessing.
Anshe: So, nothing out of the ordinary leading up to the swap?
SCP-3751-2: Correct. Anxiety did creep up on me a bit, sure, but I've gotten good at shutting it out during matches. That's why I was so confused in the moment.
Anshe: What do you mean?
SCP-3751-2: I've had issues before with feeling like I'm outside of my body when I get too stressed. It stopped around… 2015, I think? So when I took his █████ after he took mine, I wasn't aware that I swapped with him at first. Somehow, I thought I was waiting on him to hit the timer. Then I realized I was looking at myself, and I worried I was having a breakdown again… it was only when he spoke in my voice with a Norwegian accent that I realized what happened.
Anshe: And that's when you tried to flee.
SCP-3751-2: Precisely. Then the arbiter got in the way, and suddenly I was swinging fists that weren't mine with strength that also wasn't mine.
Anshe raises an eyebrow.
Anshe: And why did you resort to violence, exactly?
SCP-3751-2: What, do you think I'm crazy or something?
Anshe: No ma'am, that's not—
SCP-3751-2: How would you feel if you were thrust into a body that wasn't yours? How would you react if your voice was suddenly the wrong pitch, if you were suddenly too tall and too bulky and too hairy compared to how you should be? Would you stay calm if what should be your own body was right there staring back at you?
Anshe scratches at his facial hair and frowns.
Anshe: …Your reaction was reasonable, Ms. Evgenyevna.
SCP-3751-2: Thank you. And, sorry about that, I just… Can you help me fix this? Or is this my life now?
Anshe: Do not worry—I have high hopes for the reversibility of whatever caused this incident. With any luck, we'll return everything to how it was.
[END LOG]
Addendum 3751.01: D-Class Testing
To discern the specific rules governing SCP-3751, the Department of Gaming performed a series of experiments involving D-Class subjects. For clarity, D-Class identification numbers are attached to the bodies, rather than the identities inhabiting them. Meanwhile, experimental subject designations reference specific identities.
Experiment #: 1
Date: 01/07/2024
Subjects: D-194721 (Subject A) and D-274931 (Subject B)
Procedure: Subjects A and B were instructed to reenact the chess match originally played by SCP-3751-1 and SCP-3751-2.
Results: Subjects were hesitant at first, so security personnel brandished their weapons in order to ensure compliance. However, the first attempt had no effect. The threat of violence was then removed for the second attempt; consequentially, Subjects A and B successfully swapped bodies.
Notes: This confirms that the anomaly is triggered by the chess game, rather than random chance. This is assuming no coercion, of course—it looks like the game must be played willingly, even if unsuspectingly. —J.A.
Experiment #: 2
Date: 01/07/2024
Subjects: D-274931 (Subject A) and D-194721 (Subject B)
Procedure: Same as previous experiment.
Results: No change across multiple attempts. Increasingly intense headaches were reported.
Notes: Does this imply irreversibility? —J.A.
Experiment #: 3
Date: 01/14/2024
Subjects: D-274931 (Subject A), D-194721 (Subject B), and D-392198 (Subject C)
Procedure: Subject A swaps with Subject C. Subject A then attempts to swap with Subject B (i.e. back into its old body).
Results: The A to C swap was successful; the A to B swap was not.
Notes: It would appear that SCP-3751 can be performed multiple times, with the caveat that you can never return to a body you've been in previously. Regrettably, this confirms irreversibility and necessitates different containment procedures. —J.A.
Following this confirmation, Class F amnestics were administered to SCP-3751-1 and -2 before they were released back into the public. While no further incidents involving either instance have been reported, it should be noted that SCP-3751-1 has experienced a drop in its chess Elo rating of about 15%.Relative to its old identity, rather than its new one. following the initial SCP-3751 event, while SCP-3751-2 quit playing chess altogether and withdrew from the public eye in August 2024 for unspecified personal reasons.
Experiment #: 4
Date: 01/14/2024
Subjects: D-194721 (Subject B)
Procedure: Subject B attempts to swap with a chess-playing algorithm programmed to make the necessary moves.
Results: No effect.
Notes: Looks like we don't have to worry about solo matches. —J.A.
Experiment #: 5
Date: 01/21/2024
Subjects: D-194721 (Subject B) and D-274931 (Subject C)
Procedure: Subjects B and C attempt to swap when playing (a) crazyhouse chess, (b) king of the hill chess, (c) standard chess with a white handicap, and (d) standard chess with a black handicap.
Results: No effect.
Notes: Looks like the anomaly requires the game to use standard rules and be on equal footings. Is this a natural prerequisite of the anomalous effect, or is it an indicator of intelligent design?
Experiment #: 6
Date: 01/21/2024
Subjects: D-194721 (Subject B) and D-274931 (Subject C)
Procedure: Subjects B and C attempt to swap when playing (a) through a digital platform, (b) through physical envelopes, and (c) face-to-face in a non-blitz format.
Results: (a) No effect. (b) No effect. (c) The swap was successful.
Notes: This suggests that it's the specific series of moves that causes SCP-3751. So long as the moves are played face to face with standard piece rules, the anomaly will take effect. —J.A.
Experiment #: 7
Date: 01/24/2024
Subjects: D-392198 (Subject A), D-833235 (Subject D-1), D-103840 (Subject D-2), D-494930 (Subject D-3), D-300272 (Subject D-4), D-585425 (Subject D-5)
Procedure: Subject A swaps with all other subjects in ascending order. The introduction of more subjects is preemptively authorized if needed.
Results: Experiment aborted.
Notes: I won't sit around waiting for the Ethics Committee to step in. Whether SCP-3751 can be repeated infinitely is irrelevant in our efforts to contain it—all this would do is induce dysphoria and suffering on a massive scale. As such, D-Class testing for SCP-3751 is indefinitely suspended for ethical and logistical reasons. —J.A.
Addendum 3751.02: Incident 3751-A
On 02/01/2024, SCP-3751 researchers L██████ B██████ and A█████ P██████ submitted a formal request to voluntarily exchange bodies using SCP-3751, claiming that such an exchange would alleviate feelings of body dysmorphia and gender dysphoria that allegedly interferes with their work. While Dr. Anshe offered enthusiastic approval of the request, it was ultimately denied by Site Director Fukuma, citing concerns over the misuse of an irreversible anomaly whose long-term effects have not been explored. Thirteen days later, the two researchers—now designated SCP-3751-3 and SCP-3751-4, respectively—announced that they had ignored this denial and initiated an SCP-3751 event anyway.
Date: 02/14/2024
Interviewed: SCP-3751-3
Interviewer: Dr. John Anshe
[BEGIN LOG]
Anshe clutches his head.
Anshe: I can't believe you're making me do this.
SCP-3751-3: Look, I—
Anshe: To think my own research team would go behind my back and pull a stunt this bold. Do you know how badly this could go for you?
SCP-3751-3: I'm sorry, but there's no world where we didn't go through with the swap.
Anshe: Why did you do it?
SCP-3751-3: You know damn well why.
Anshe: For the record, SCP-3751-3. This is all going in the main file for the anomaly.
SCP-3751-3 sighs.
SCP-3751-3: Fine. We did it because the two of us reached dead ends in our transition. My FFS.Facial feminization surgery. was botched so badly that it took three years just to get the doctors here to fix it. Meanwhile, Adri—
Anshe: Refer to it as SCP-3751-4, please.
SCP-3751-3: Absolutely not.
Anshe: There are rules to this, SCP-3751-3, and I will be damned if I let another one of them be broken by—
SCP-3751-3: Really? Since when have you been one for following the rules?
Anshe: That's enough. No exceptions.
SCP-3751-3: But Ja—
They both freeze. SCP-3751-3 clears its throat.
SCP-3751-3: John, please… can you just let this slide?
Anshe puts his face in his hands and sighs unsteadily.
Anshe: …Fine.
SCP-3751-3: Thank you. As I was saying, his top surgery was denied because his BMI was supposedly too high. We've always dreamt of swapping bodies with a magic red button or something, so once we realized SCP-3751 could be a way to make that happen, well… we weren't exactly going to let the bureaucracy stop us.
Anshe: Are there any unusual feelings or emotions associated with this new body?
SCP-3751-3: Obviously.
Anshe raises an eyebrow.
SCP-3751-3: Nothing anomalous, of course. I mean more… Do you know what it's like to see your partner's old face in the mirror? I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually, but it's…
Anshe: Terrifying?
SCP-3751-3: Romantic, actually.
Anshe: …Explain.
SCP-3751-3: I spent so long hating even the smallest details of my old body. Every hair, every pore, every rough patch of skin drove me utterly mad. Now when I look in the mirror, I see a smiling face I've come to adore over the years. It's like I've tricked myself into loving my appearance.
Anshe: Very interesting.
SCP-3751-3: Minor quirks like that follow me everywhere. Whenever his muscle memory kicks in, it's almost as though an echo of him is there to guide me. And when his stomach flutters in excitement or churns at the thought of something that normally doesn't phase me, I get a glimpse into his wonderful mind that I never would have thought possible. It's like I've been learning to love him more and more each and every day.
Anshe: Are there any associated detrimental effects?
SCP-3751-3: Well, yesterday I mixed up my reds and greens in front of everyone, which was a bit embarrassing. And I can no longer reach high shelves…
Anshe: Anything else?
SCP-3751-3: Some minor dissociation, but that passed after the first three days. Once we personalized our hairstyles, it became a lot easier to see these new bodies as us.
Anshe: I see. Thank you, SCP-3751-3. This information is very…
SCP-3751-3: Yes, Dr. Anshe?
Anshe: (He sighs.) I'll submit an appeal on your behalf. With any luck, the Site Director will make an exception and let you two off with a warning.
SCP-3751-3: And if she doesn't…?
No response.
[END LOG]
While leniency was originally offered by Site-71's lead staff, an order from the Department of Internal Affairs necessitated that SCP-3751-3 and SCP-3751-4 be given Class F amnestics as per SCP-3751's containment procedures, demoted to Junior Researchers, and transferred to new sites. In their place, six new personnel were selected by Dr. Anshe to join the SCP-3751 research team; over the course of the next month, this expanded team was able to improve the efficiency of SCP-3751 containment efforts by approximately 27%.
Addendum 3751.03: Incident 3751-B
On 03/09/2024, a large swarm of SCP-4542 instances.Anomalous crosses between grasshoppers and rabbits. escaped its communal cell within Site-71's Parazoology Division, causing a cascading containment breach that incurred an estimated $200,000 in damages and $100,000 in additional recontainment costs.
An inquiry by the Department of Internal Affairs into the cause of the breach discovered that Researcher Peter Zhukov had performed the monthly termination of the contained SCP-4542 population incorrectly. While the fault lies primarily with the lack of redundancy in the safety protocols surrounding SCP-4542, the deviation from Researcher Zhukov's previously-impeccable track record of effective containment was cause for further investigation. This investigation uncovered an organized group of at least eight Site-71 personnel—five of which were on the SCP-3751 research team—that secretly used SCP-3751 to exchange bodies; the individual who impersonated Researcher Zhukov was not properly briefed on the correct termination procedure for SCP-4542, and thus is responsible for the containment breach.
Seven of the eight researchers were classified and contained as SCP-3751-X instances (see containment procedures) and demoted as appropriate. The eighth, identified as research head Dr. Anshe, was found to be responsible for facilitating this group's illicit activities. However, following a successful appeal with the Department of Internal Affairs, Dr. Anshe was permitted to forgo SCP-3751-X containment and was transferred to a different site despite her identity being misaligned with her new body.
The core mission of the Foundation necessitates holding ourselves to a higher standard of normalcy than we hold our contained objects. Wielding anomalies in the name of personal benefit, no matter how tempting their benefits may be, only leads to disaster.
The damage done during the Incident 3751-B containment breach was unintended, yes, but also entirely preventable. A reasonable, unambiguous policy against the use of SCP-3751 was implemented, and instead of following it and using the proper channels to voice their dissent, several researchers thoroughly violated it behind closed doors and expected to somehow avoid the consequences. Incident 3751-B is the culmination of their abuses, and no matter how understandable their intentions may have been, their actions merited swift containment and disciplinary action.
I encourage all Site-71 staff to review the Foundation's policy on transgender personnel before taking any impulsive actions. Our employee healthcare plans offer full coverage for any and all nonanomalous gender-affirming care, and gender-based discrimination towards personnel and anomalous objects is strictly prohibited. If feelings of gender dysphoria are negatively impacting your work, I also recommend seeking counseling from the Foundation's dedicated and hard-working Department of Psychology. Regardless of your situation, there is always a solution that does not involve the abuse of an anomaly.
Remember: an inclusive Foundation is a secure Foundation.
—O5-9, Department of Internal Affairs
> ACCESSING FILE 2/2: O5-9 RECORDING 03/18/2024
> ENTER ENCRYPTION KEY: