Alright, folks, pull up a chair and brush up on your best not-so-poker face, because it’s time for my review of that ancient battle of wits and strategy we all know—chess. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Jamie, is there really anything left to say about chess, the board game everyone’s grumpy uncle claims to be a champion at?” Well, yes! My friends and I recently dusted off a set and put it through its paces, and I’ve got thoughts—both the good and the “wow, I got outsmarted by a 12-year-old again” kind. From the everlasting fairness to the nice clacky feel of the pieces, I’m giving you the full scoop before you spend your hard-earned money on a set that may or may not end up as a fancy paperweight.
How It Plays
Setting up
First, lay out the board so each player has a white (or light) square on their right corner. Put the rooks in the corners, knights next to them, bishops next, and then queens on their own color. Kings take the last empty spots. All the pawns line up in front.
Gameplay
Players take turns. White moves first. Each piece has its own way to move. Bishops go diagonal, rooks go straight, knights jump in an L-shape, queens do both, and the king tiptoes one square at a time. Pawns march forward but attack at an angle. If you land on a rival’s piece, you boot it off the board! Special moves exist, like castling and en passant, but don’t worry—you’ll learn those as you go (or the hard way, like me).
Winning the game
Try to trap your opponent’s king, so no move can save it from capture—this is called checkmate. If you pull that off, you win! If nobody can do this, sometimes the game ends in a draw, which is like everyone shaking hands and pretending they totally planned it.
Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for Chess.
Game Balance and Fairness: Why Chess Stands Tall
Let’s just say I have a thing against games that love to mess with me through sheer luck. If I wanted to gamble, I’d go play the lottery. When it comes to board games, I crave balance and fairness. There is nothing more painful than a so-called “strategy game” where everything depends on rolling the right number at the wrong time—yes, I’m looking at you, Monopoly.
This is where chess wins a fat gold medal. There’s no dice, no cards, and no secret rules. Every piece is in plain sight. You see the board, your opponent sees the board, and that’s it. It’s almost as if the game dares you to try and make excuses for losing. “Oh, but the wind shifted and—” Nope, it’s just you, your brain, and possibly the fact that you forgot what a knight does. (Don’t worry, I’ve been there. More than once.)
Chess is the kind of game where, if you lose, you can’t blame bad luck. The pieces move in a set way, and the only random factor is you and how much sleep you had last night. If you’re beaten, it’s skill versus skill. It’s fair as long as both players agree not to flip the board over if things go sideways—which, I’m not proud to say, has almost happened at my game nights.
Some games give one side a clear advantage (looking at you, some asymmetrical games), but chess gives everyone the same tools. It’s pure, it’s fair, and it shows who really spent their lunch hours playing instead of actually eating.
And now, let’s move from fairness to talk about what keeps us coming back—yep, next up is the juicy topic of Replay Value and Strategy Depth. Buckle up!
Replay Value and Strategy Depth in Chess
Let me tell you, if you think you’ve played chess once and seen it all, think again. This game is the bottomless breadstick basket of board games. Every time I sit down to play with my mates, the board throws a whole new headache at me. I once tried using the same opening three games in a row—by the third round, my buddy demolished me with a move he called ‘The Jamie Special’ (translation: he just took my queen again).
Chess shines brightest when it comes to replay value. The pieces and rules never change, but somehow, no two games ever feel the same. There are more possible games of chess than there are atoms in the universe. I haven’t counted them myself, but someone clever once said it and I believe it. I’ll probably still be playing chess when I’m 90, shaking my tiny old fist at a rogue pawn.
The strategy depth is just wild. Even if you think you’re a big brain, chess will humble you faster than taking a selfie with a potato. There’s layers upon layers—openings, traps, endgames, sacrifices—enough to keep both rookies and grandmasters busy for life. Every move matters and you can dream up new ones every single game. And just when I think I’ve got my plan airtight, my friend ruins it with something sneaky. Beautiful, frustrating, and irresistible.
So, whether you’re a casual dabbler or a future world champ, chess will never run out of ways to tickle your brain. Next up: let’s see if learning chess is as complicated as baking a soufflé…
Chess: Is the Learning Curve as Steep as It Looks?
Let’s talk about picking up chess. Straight up, the learning curve for chess is like a ski slope—starts easy, then wham, it goes steep. The rules themselves aren’t rocket science. Each piece moves its own funky way, and once you learn that a bishop does diagonals and a horsey (I mean, knight) jumps in crazy L-shapes, you’re halfway there. I’ve seen a six-year-old master the basics faster than my friend Dan can eat a burger, and that’s saying something.
But then the real game starts. Once you try to win, things get tricky. Opening theory? Hundreds of them. Middle game tactics? A maze of forks, pins, and sacrifices. Endgame? It’s where dreams go to die if you’re not careful. When I played chess with my friends, a few quick games turned into a four-hour YouTube binge diving into ‘How to Not Blunder Like a Beginner.’ Safe to say: it’s easy to play, hard to master.
On the accessibility front, chess has it nailed. You can play with a cardboard set, your phone, or even jam it out online with strangers. And it doesn’t matter who you are—eight or eighty, you can face off across the checkered battlefield. There’s zero need for fancy language or chunky rulebooks. I even taught my grandma in ten minutes, and she nearly beat me first try. (Grandma, if you’re reading, it was luck!)
So, learning chess is simple, but getting good at it? That’s the Everest part. Stay tuned, because next I’m judging chess not by its moves, but by its grooves and grooves—I mean, the pieces and board!
Chess: A Feast (Or Famine) For The Eyes
If you’re looking for a board game with bling and flash, chess might seem a bit basic, right? But let me tell you, the beauty of chess lies in its simplicity. The board is just a grid of black and white squares—easy on the eyes, and you never get confused about where you put your knight (unless you’re me after three coffees.)
Now, let’s talk about the pieces. Chess has, hands down, the most iconic game bits ever. You’ve got the regal king, the fierce queen, and the tiny pawns who dream big. Whether you fork out for fancy marble, classic wood, or even a plastic travel set, those pieces always feel special. Once, my friend brought out a giant garden set—there’s nothing quite like chasing a rogue bishop through a hedge.
Component quality really depends on your budget. Some chess sets cost about the same as a good pizza. Others cost more than my car (not hard, my car is worth about four pawns). Cheap plastic sets work fine for casual play, but if you want a set that’ll start a conversation and last for decades, you might want to splash out on quality materials like wood or stone.
As for aesthetics, it’s the original classic. The pieces, even at their simplest, have stood the test of time. You can even find themed sets if standard isn’t your thing—Star Wars, Harry Potter, dogs vs cats, whatever floats your rook.
Would I recommend chess on looks alone? If you like timeless style and a bit of drama in your decor, you’ll love it. I give it two knights up!
Conclusion
So that’s a wrap on my chess review! If you want a fair battle of wits with no luck, chess is your friend. This ancient classic has stood the test of time for good reason. It’s simple to learn, but I still can’t beat my neighbor’s 8-year-old—ouch, my pride. With endless strategy and replay value, chess always feels fresh. You can pick a set that suits your vibe and budget, from fancy marble to a cardboard bargain. Sure, it takes work to get good, and you might forget what turn it is after a coffee break, but that’s all part of the charm. If you want a game that’s all about brains and no dice, chess will keep you coming back for more. Thanks for reading, and remember: don’t open with your queen. Ever.
