Ever found yourself vibing with the strategical symphony that is chess, but kinda itching for something a little… different?
Trust me, I get it. Chess is the OG of strategy games, but sometimes even the classics need a lil’ remix.
I’ve rolled the dice, made my moves, and hopped across countless boards to bring you the ultimate lineup of games that’ll give your noggin a workout, just like chess does.
If you’re ready to embark on a new quest of kings, knights, and maybe a few curveballs, then let’s dive deep into the world of strategy.
Similarities Between Chess and Other Strategy Board Games
Checkers: The Classic Alternative
Checkers is a strategy board game that shares some similarities with chess, such as a grid-based playing field.
Both games involve capturing opponent’s pieces and strategic positioning.
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However, checkers has simpler rules and fewer types of pieces, making it an accessible alternative for those new to strategy games.
Shogi: The Japanese Variant
Shogi is a Japanese strategy board game that is comparable to chess in many ways.
Both games have distinct pieces with unique movement patterns and require players to think several moves ahead.
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Shogi, however, introduces the concept of “drops,” where captured pieces can be reused by the capturing player, adding an extra layer of complexity to the game.
Xiangqi: The Game of Chinese Commanders
Xiangqi, also known as Chinese chess, is another strategy board game with similarities to its Western counterpart.
It shares a similar objective of delivering checkmate to the opponent’s commander piece, and both games contain a varied cast of pieces with unique movement strategies.
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However, Xiangqi incorporates specific board regions and a river, creating additional strategic opportunities.
Arimaa: A Modern Board Game
Arimaa is a contemporary strategy game with a chess-inspired setup.
Both games use an 8×8 board and have similar starting positions for the pieces.
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However, Arimaa’s pieces have different movement rules and abilities, and the game is focused on reaching a specific location on the board rather than capturing the opponent’s pieces.
Chaturanga: The Ancestor of Chess
Chaturanga, an ancient Indian game, is considered the predecessor of chess.
With similarities in the board layout and piece movement, Chaturanga laid the foundation for the modern version of chess.
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While the basic mechanics of the game are similar, there are differences in the piece names and various rules, making it a fascinating look into the history of strategy games.
Hnefatafl and Tafl Games: The Viking Board Games
Hnefatafl, along with other Tafl games, are Viking strategy board games that present an asymmetrical setup, offering an alternative experience to chess.
The goal is for one player to move their king to the edge of the board, while the other player aims to capture the king.
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Although different from chess in objective and gameplay, the strategic depth and planning in Hnefatafl is comparable to chess.
Makruk: The Thai Version of Chess
Makruk, often referred to as Thai chess, is closely related to chess in terms of gameplay and strategy.
While the board and objective are similar, Makruk has unique piece movements and specific rules for promotion.
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The game requires a high level of strategic thinking and adaptation for those familiar with traditional chess.
In-Depth Look into Board Games Influenced by Chess
Blokus Duo: A Strategy Tile Game
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Blokus Duo is a two-player strategy game that challenges you to place your colored tiles on the board while blocking your opponent from doing the same.
Your goal is to place as many of your tiles as possible without giving your opponent too much space.
This game requires strategic thinking and spatial reasoning, much like chess.
Onitama: The Strategy Game of Movement
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In Onitama, you take control of a martial arts master and their students in a head-to-head battle against another player’s team.
The game involves capturing your opponent’s master or moving your own master into the opponent’s temple, which are similar concepts to king capturing or checkmate in chess.
The main difference is that each game of Onitama features randomly selected cards dictating the legal moves for each character.
Hive: An Insect-Themed Strategy Game
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Hive is a tactical board game where your goal is to surround your opponent’s queen bee using a variety of insect-themed tiles.
Each tile represents a different insect, each with its own unique movement abilities.
The strategic placement and movement of tiles create a chess-like experience, where controlling the board is crucial to your victory.
Photosynthesis: A Sun-Turning Strategy
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In Photosynthesis, your goal is to strategically grow trees and collect sunlight points.
You need to carefully manage your resources and position your trees in areas where they can receive the most sunlight.
Much like chess, this game requires you to think several turns ahead to optimize your strategy and block your opponents.
Cathedral: A Strategic Area Control Game
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Cathedral is an abstract, area control game where you place your buildings strategically within a walled city, aiming to control the most significant portion of the area.
Placement must be done carefully, considering your opponents’ moves and planning for future turns.
This strategic placement aspect has a chess-like feel to it.
Azul: The Game of Portuguese Tiles
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In Azul, your goal is to create beautiful tile patterns on your player board.
The game requires you to select particular tiles from shared collections while also predicting and blocking the moves of your opponents.
This combination of strategy and foresight is reminiscent of chess, where planning your moves and anticipating your opponent’s actions are key.
7 Wonders: A Card Drafting Masterpiece
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7 Wonders is a card drafting and civilization-building game where you aim to develop your city to accumulate the most victory points.
Each turn, you select a card from a hand and pass the rest to your neighboring players.
This strategic card selection and drafting mechanic can be likened to positioning chess pieces on the board, making 7 Wonders an excellent strategic alternative to chess.
Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game: A Zombie Survival Game
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Dead of Winter is a cooperative game where you and your fellow players face the harsh challenges of living in a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies.
While the theme differs vastly from chess, the game emphasizes strategic decision-making and resource management, making it an engaging alternative for fans of chess.
Risk: The Game of Global Domination
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Risk is a classic game of global conquest, where you control armies to achieve dominance by invading territories and defeating opponents.
This game requires strategical planning, tactical thinking, and clever alliances.
The concept of controlling and dominating territories has a similar feel to chess, making Risk an excellent board game choice for chess enthusiasts.