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Simply Chess similar games & best alternatives

Simply Chess

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2015

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Quick resume

The classic board game comes to Steam with asynchronous online play and 100 levels of AI. If you are a chess enthusiast or someone who just likes to play a game now and again, this is what you've been looking for. This is Simply Chess.

Global score

74/100

Genres

Casual, Free To Play, Indie, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free to play with optional premium
    • 100 ai difficulty levels
    • Online multiplayer with elo ranking
    • Simple, clean interface
    • Relaxing music

    Cons

    • Limited online player base and matchmaking issues
    • No game analysis or move history
    • Basic graphics and ui
    • Occasional bugs and crashes reported
    • No story or additional game modes

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Creativity, Exploration, Expression, Story. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players freely choose moves and strategies in a classic chess game with no forced routines."

    • Competence
      5

      "The game offers 100 AI difficulty levels and online play, providing strong skill challenges and feedback."

    • Competition
      4

      "Includes ranked online multiplayer with ELO ratings and leaderboards, encouraging comparison with others."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players engage in long sessions and level progression, with some reviews noting habitual play and achievement hunting."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Chess is inherently a 1v1 competitive game with limited cooperative elements; mostly independent play."

    • Creativity
      -3

      "Gameplay follows strict chess rules with minimal customization beyond cosmetic options."

    • Domination
      2

      "Competitive multiplayer and ranked matches imply exerting superiority, though no reports of toxic domination."

    • Escapism
      3

      "Players use the game as a relaxing distraction with soothing music and casual or serious play."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment rather than obligation."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Players experiment with different strategies and AI levels, though within fixed chess rules."

    • Exploration
      -5

      "Chess has a fixed board and no new areas or secrets to discover."

    • Expression
      1

      "Some customization of board and piece appearance allows limited self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      -5

      "The game simulates realistic chess with no fantasy or fictional elements."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Online multiplayer and community features foster a sense of belonging among chess players."

    • Growth
      5

      "Learning and skill development are core, with AI levels supporting gradual improvement."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during turns; not typically played as background or idle activity."

    • Intimacy
      -3

      "Social interactions are mostly surface-level competitive matches rather than close relationships."

    • Leadership
      -4

      "No leadership roles; players act independently or equally in matches."

    • Progression
      3

      "Progression through AI levels and achievements provides a sense of advancement."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Music and gameplay support a relaxing, thoughtful experience for many players."

    • Sensation
      -2

      "Sensory input is moderate and calm; no intense visual or auditory stimulation."

    • Status
      3

      "Online rankings and achievements offer recognition and social status."

    • Story
      -5

      "No narrative or story elements; pure abstract gameplay."

    • Strategy
      5

      "Chess is a deeply strategic game requiring planning, logic, and problem solving."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense in competitive matches and timed moves, but overall controlled environment."

    • Value
      5

      "Free to play with optional low-cost premium; good return for time invested."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No violent or destructive content; purely abstract board game."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid losing the king and manage threats, reflecting survival aspects in gameplay."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026