Best Chess Top 10 Alternatives: 12 Reviews for 2025
Discover our chess top 10 list; perfect for strategic minds! These games promise fun and a brainy challenge.
Ever sat staring at your chessboard dreaming of a new challenge? We get it! That’s why we’re bringing you the ultimate ‘chess top 10’ list, spiced up with some extra picks because who doesn’t love more options? We focus on strategy, excitement, and player enjoyment to ensure our choices provide the same thrill as a classic chess game. Whether it’s a twist on the classic or something entirely unique, these board games promise endless fun for you and your friends. So grab your thinking cap and join us on this adventure through the world of chess-inspired games!
On this list:
12 Arimaa
Arimaa is a modern classic that offers a fresh take on traditional chess. Created by a computer engineer, it’s designed to be challenging for computers. Humans will find the multitude of strategic possibilities both rewarding and maddening! It’s a great alternative to chess for people who prefer letting their creativity run wild. With its unlimited move combinations, even cats might start plotting their takeover.
11 Hive
Hive is like chess with bugs but without the board! Hexagon tiles act as your pieces, each moving in unique ways. The objective is to surround your opponent’s queen bee. Hive is compact enough for travel and surprisingly intense! Swap out knights for grasshoppers and you’ll never think about your garden the same way again.
10 The Duke
In The Duke, instead of memorizing openings, you draw tiles, adding unpredictability to each game. It’s like playing chess in an earthquake, never knowing what the board will look like next! Each piece tile shows how it can move, making it accessible to beginners and deep enough to captivate experienced strategists.
9 Onitama
Onitama combines the elegance of chess with the simplicity of a card game. Each match feels like a duel between martial arts masters. With only five moves available and a constantly changing set of options, every game is different and exciting, like a chess match on fast forward.
8 Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends
Tash-Kalar brings the fantasy and excitement of an epic battle into a tight, tactical experience. Players summon powerful creatures to fight duels or reach objectives quicker than their rivals. It’s like chess on steroids with a bit of magic tossed in. Fans of strategic thinking will love the layers of depth.
7 Shogi
Known as Japanese chess, Shogi adds a twist: captured pieces switch sides. This feature alone changes everything! It’s like chess meets recruitment day, and every turn offers a chance to outwit your opponent. For chess lovers seeking new thrills, Shogi is a must-try.
6 Tak
Inspired by a fictional game in a fantasy novel, Tak is all about building roads and outsmarting your opponent. The rules are easy to learn, but every choice impacts the game. Tak resonates with the chess top 10 crowd because it’s abstract strategy wrapped in an elegant design.
5 Kamisado
Kamisado is pure strategy without dice or cards. Players push colored dragon towers, racing to the opponent’s base. Each move is dictated by the last tile your opponent lands on, ensuring unique and unpredictable sessions. It’s a brilliant game for those who enjoy colorful tactics.
4 Chess 960
Chess 960 spices up classic chess by randomizing the starting position of the pieces. It’s a perfect game for those who want traditional chess but with a twist—every match delivers new challenges and strategies as quirky as an upside-down cake.
3 Santorini
Santorini is a strategic game that’s easy to learn and quick to play. Players build towers and try to reach the top first, but the twist is each player has a god power which radically changes the game. It’s like chess during a Greek mythology class.
2 Patchwork
Patchwork is a delightful two-player game where you’re crafting a quilt from Tetris-like pieces. It’s the closest you’ll get to a chess game about sewing! It’s a marvel of balance and strategy and perfect for a cozy evening in.
1 Santorini
Best on our chess top 10 list is Santorini for its simplicity and depth. The game offers a unique spin with its god powers, which make every play different. Santorini is a must-have because it packs so much fun into a tiny box. It’s strategic yet light-hearted—just like having Zeus over for tea.
