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

kids playing chess

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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Pressman Checkers — Classic Game With Folding Board and Interlocking Checkers, 2 Players
  • Checkers is a two-player strategy game played on a checkered board with 64 squares arranged on an 8×8 grid
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Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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  • Ready To Play: Full English illustrated instruction manual included

Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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  • 2 Player game
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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.

Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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.

Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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  • Perfect strategy game—takes less than a minute to learn and offers a fun challenge for two players, age 7 and up!
  • Players take turns placing their 21 pieces on the board, and each piece must touch another of the same color, but only at the corners.
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  • The game ends when no more pieces can be placed down, and the player with fewer pieces remaining wins!
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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  • A game of elegance and simplicity

Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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

Cathedral Wood Strategy Tabletop Board Game Classic
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  • This logical thinking puzzle pits 2 players against each other as they battle to build castles on the game board

Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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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Azul Board Game – Strategic Tile-Placement Game for Family Fun, Great Game for Kids and Adults, Ages…
  • BECOME AN ARTISAN: Craft exquisite tile mosaics in this award-winning board game.
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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 Board Game BASE GAME (New Edition) | Family Board Game | Civilization Board Game for…
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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 A Crossroads Board Game | Post-Apocalyptic Survival Strategy Game for Adults and…
  • SURVIVAL GAME: Dead of Winter A Crossroads Game is an experience that can only be accomplished through the medium of tabletop games. It is a story-centric experience about surviving the harsh winter…
  • STRATEGY GAME: Players must frequently make difficult decisions and often choose between what actions are best for the colony and what is best for themselves. Survive the winter, survive the dead and…
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  • HIGHLY VARIABLE: Play as dozens of unique characters in this enagaging and emergent narrative game and make wildly-varying decisions so that no two games are ever exactly the same. Watch out for a…
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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

Risk Board Game, Strategy Games for 2-5 Players, Strategy Board Games for Teens, Adults, and Family,…
  • THE GAME OF STRATEGIC CONQUEST: Betrayals! Alliances! Surprise attacks! In the Risk game, players build an army and lead their troops to glory. Who will take over the world to win?
  • 300 FIGURES: Includes 5 plastic armies and 5 war crates for easy storage. Players assemble their army and try to conquer the enemies’ territories by moving their troops and engaging in battle
  • 4 FUN WAYS TO PLAY: Choose from 4 strategy gameplay variations—Classic Risk, Secret Mission Risk, Risk for 2 Players, and Capital Risk
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate disclosure / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Valid prices are those listed on Amazon.com

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.

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