The best Chess variants ♟ 2024

You are looking for a good game that is similar to chess? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of the best chess variants 2024.

What are games similar to chess?

In this list you will find games that are based on or derived from the traditional public domain game Chess. The different chess variants or games similar to chess are for example. Xiangqi (also "Chinese Chess"), Shogi (also "Japanese Chess"), Changgi (Korean chess), Makruk (also "Thai Chess") and all other variants, extensions, spin-offs and chess derivatives.

By the way, in German "chess" is called "Schach".

List with the best chess variants 2024 ♟

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 445 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Let's Catch the Lion!

    All details for the board game Let's Catch the Lion! and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    More details for Let's Catch the Lion!
    • 2 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 4+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  2. Katarenga

    All details for the board game Katarenga and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Schachen

    All details for the board game Schachen and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  4. Yōkaï no Mori

    All details for the board game Yōkaï no Mori and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!31€ atAmazon.de*
  5. Stealth Chess

    All details for the board game Stealth Chess and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  6. Quick Chess

    All details for the board game Quick Chess and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Quick Chess
    • 2 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Chess

    All details for the board game Chess and similar games

    Chess is a classic two-player abstract strategy game with deep historical roots and widespread popularity. It's renowned for its blend of tactical depth and strategic complexity, played on an 8x8 board with distinct pieces for each side.

    More details for Chess
    • 2 Players
    • 6+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  8. Martian Chess

    All details for the board game Martian Chess and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Martian Chess
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Tic Tac Chec

    All details for the board game Tic Tac Chec and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • Easy to learn
  10. No Stress Chess

    All details for the board game No Stress Chess and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. All The King's Men

    All details for the board game All The King's Men and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for All The King's Men

    • YouTube Review for the game "All The King's Men" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  12. Feudal

    All details for the board game Feudal and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Chess960

    All details for the board game Chess960 and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 10 - 180 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  14. Arimaa

    All details for the board game Arimaa and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Arimaa
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  15. Colour Chess + Lure

    All details for the board game Colour Chess + Lure and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  16. Bosworth

    All details for the board game Bosworth and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Shuuro

    All details for the board game Shuuro and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • Medium difficulty
  18. Mini Shogi

    All details for the board game Mini Shogi and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  19. Shogi

    All details for the board game Shogi and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Shogi

    • YouTube Review for the game "Shogi" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  20. Xiangqi

    All details for the board game Xiangqi and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  21. Changgi

    All details for the board game Changgi and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  22. Hoyle's Games

    All details for the board game Hoyle's Games and similar games
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  23. Tile Chess

    All details for the board game Tile Chess and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  24. Kartenschach

    All details for the board game Kartenschach and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. LOKA: A Game of Elemental Strategy

    All details for the board game LOKA: A Game of Elemental Strategy and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  26. Tori Shogi

    All details for the board game Tori Shogi and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  27. 3 Man Chess

    All details for the board game 3 Man Chess and similar games
    • 3 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • Medium difficulty
  28. The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants

    All details for the board game The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  29. 4 Player Chess

    All details for the board game 4 Player Chess and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

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