ChessCraft

What it is

ChessCraft is a chess AI sandbox by developer Stuart Spence, released on Windows and Linux on December 16, 2021. Players can make custom boards, pieces, and rules, then play against the computer or other people online. Board layouts can use enabled or disabled tiles on grids up to 16 by 16, while piece designs combine bishop- or rook-like slides with knight-like hops. Players can also set promotion rules and special tile rules, and create pieces with properties such as immunity to capture or ranged attacks. The computer opponent uses concepts from computer science and graph theory to respond to custom creations. For players who prefer ready-made challenges, adventure mode includes 80 built-in boards where wins earn loot. Steam lists single-player, multiplayer, PvP, cross-platform multiplayer, a level editor, Remote Play Together, and Family Sharing. ChessCraft is published by Frame of Mind and is listed in Steam’s casual and strategy genres.

What players like, and what they don't

Who it suits

ChessCraft suits chess players who want to experiment with custom boards, pieces, and rules. It also offers built-in boards for players who prefer structured challenges, alongside play against the computer or other people.

ChessCraft puts custom chess design at the center, while also offering computer play and an 80-board adventure mode. Its Steam feature list includes online PvP, a level editor, and cross-platform multiplayer.