Best 5 Most Famous Chess Game Picks Reviewed for 2025
Looking for the most famous chess game? We tested classic and new games to help you find your next favorite strategy battle.
The 5 Best Board Games Based on the Most Famous Chess Game
If you’re like us, you think the most famous chess game is more than just an old-school brain battle—it’s a classic. But what if you want that chess feeling without dusting off grandpa’s set? We picked five board games that capture the best parts of the most famous chess game. We focused on head-to-head strategy, clever moves, and games that are easy to learn but tough to master. Whether you’re a beginner or a sneaky checkmater, these choices will have you thinking a few moves ahead (and maybe trash-talking a little too).
On this list:
5 Onitama
We picked Onitama because it feels like an elegant twist on the most famous chess game, but you can actually finish it before your tea goes cold. The game gives us those good old chess vibes, mixing strategy and tactics, but swaps out long openings for quick, snappy play. Plus, we love that the movement options change every game, so you never get that “déjà vu” feeling after a few rounds. The pieces are chunky and the rules are simple, which means even your cousin who thinks ‘Knight’ is just a horse can get into it. No one has time for hours of dead silence, so Onitama delivers thinky fun without the nap.
4 The Duke
We had to include The Duke because it takes the best parts of the most famous chess game and throws in just the right amount of chaos. Each piece has its own way of moving, but here’s the kicker: the moves change (literally, you flip them over) when you use them! We played and laughed our heads off as our big grand plans got flipped upside down, sometimes literally. It’s perfect for when you want chess-level thinking, but your group hates memorizing openings or gets tired of losing to that one friend who saw ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ and now thinks they’re grandmaster material.
3 Hive
Hive does not need a board, which is great because our snack-fueled game nights tend to get messy. It leans into the strategic bug-battling side of the most famous chess game: different ‘insects’ have unique moves, and you’ll trap your opponent’s Queen Bee to win. We love how Hive is portable and waterproof, so we have played it at the beach, the park, and even during a blackout (don’t ask). It’s just as tense and thinky as chess, but somehow less stressful—maybe because the bugs look cute and don’t judge your mistakes.
2 Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends
Tash-Kalar is like the most famous chess game took a wild trip through the world of magical mayhem. We like how every turn feels epic, as you place and summon legendary creatures to battle for control. The puzzle of making patterns on the board drives our competitive friends wild, and there’s enough chaos to make sure no one gets too smug. There are special abilities, battles, and a constant need to adapt; we’ve found no two games feel the same, which is rare for a tactical game. It’s not for people who want slow, classic chess—but for drama and combos, it’s a riot.
1 Chess
We saved the most famous chess game for last! Yes, original Chess is still the champ. Nothing beats the pure stress and triumph of pulling off a cheeky checkmate—unless you’re on the wrong end of it, of course. We’ve spent hours teaching new players, trash talking old rivals, and wondering if anyone will ever master the ‘Fool’s Mate.’ It’s famous for a reason: easy to set up, infinite replay value, and a game that brings grandmas and grandkids together for a mental showdown. It’s the best because, well, it’s literally the template for every strategy game on this list, and it’s still going strong.
