Chess
Ongoing coverage on Chess.
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Gambonanza Review - Checkmate!
Gambonanza is a new roguelike that puts a fresh spin on chess with bite-sized matches and rule-twisting Gambits. Developed by Blukulélé, the game features a small starting board that expands as players acquire upgrades and face powerful boss characters inspired by real chess Grandmasters. Despite some repetition in opponent setups, its charming visuals, catchy soundtrack, and engaging mechanics make it a compelling experience for both chess novices and roguelike fans.
Coming Out in gaming this week — April 27, 2026
Several new games are set to release in the week of April 27, 2026, across various platforms including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. Titles range from cozy adventures like Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth and inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories, to action-packed games such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction and Invincible VS. The lineup also includes strategy games like Lunchbreak Tactics, horror with Mourning Tide, and roguelikes like SAROS and Gambonanza.
IGF-Honored Chess Dungeon Crawler Below the Crown Hits 1.0
Below the Crown, an IGF-honored chess-inspired RPG from Misfits Attic, has officially launched its 1.0 version after a period in Early Access. The update introduces new modes like Wizard Queen, a new boss fight against the Emperor, multiple endings, and crucially, Steam Deck support, Steam Cloud Saves, and Achievement integration. This release marks a significant milestone for the indie studio, which has now shipped three games and is actively seeking Steam reviews to boost visibility.
Retro Chess Roguelike Below the Crown Casts Spells, Explosions, Strategies in 1.0 Release Today
Below the Crown, a chess roguelike from Misfits Attic, has launched its 1.0 version on PC via Steam. The game features spellcasting, strategic piece management, and multiple endings, with new content including the Queen Wizard and additional runes. It is available for $14.99 USD and is also featured in several bundles with other chess and roguelike titles.
Packed With Content, Chess Kingdom Adds Kung Fu Chess and Kung Fu Chess Extreme in Early Access
Pinch Games has released two new modes, Kung Fu Chess and Kung Fu Chess Extreme, for its Early Access PC game Chess Kingdom on Steam. Kung Fu Chess features simultaneous real-time moves, while Kung Fu Chess Extreme adds a piece buff progression system. Both modes are available now in Quick Match alongside standard chess.
Pixie Chess Debuts with Blockchain Pieces and 82.95 ETH Prize Pool
Pixie Chess, a new crypto-based game combining chess with collectible card game elements and player-owned tokens, has officially launched. Backed by a $5.2 million seed round led by Paradigm, the game features a prize pool of 82.95 ETH contributed by piece sales and the development team. Players can buy, sell, or burn tokens to enter tournaments, influencing the game's economy and strategy.
On Sale
Humble is offering the Strategic Minds Collection and Checkmate! A Chess Games Collection for a pay-what-you-want price, with proceeds going to charity. This promotion allows players to acquire strategy and chess games while supporting charitable causes.
Chess blended with dungeon crawling, Below the Crown hits 1.0 on April 21
Below the Crown, a game blending chess with dungeon crawling mechanics developed by the creators of Duskers, will launch its full 1.0 version on April 21st. An update ahead of the release introduces new features like replays, narrative elements, an infinite dungeon mode, and rebalanced gameplay.
Battle Chess Iron Crown - Free Online Browser Based HTML5 Game
Battle Chess: Iron Crown is a new offline, HTML5-powered chess game that features medieval warriors and cinematic battle sequences. The game offers player vs. player and player vs. computer modes with 10 AI difficulty levels, and is distributed as a standalone, portable executable for PC.
Gambonanza is the best Balatro-like version of chess yet and you have to try the demo
Gambonanza is a unique demo that blends chess and roguelike elements, drawing comparisons to Balatro. It features simplified chess mechanics on a small board, with players aiming to capture all enemy pieces within a turn limit. The game offers strategic depth through various upgrades, Gambits, and a dynamic reserve system, all presented with a retro pixel art aesthetic.
