5 Games Like Chess That Will Challenge Your Strategic Mind

If you’re someone who has explored chess more than enough for the time being and feel the need to check out and explore games like chess that are made for you, here’s a list of 5 games like chess you should explore and see which ones you get stuck to.

Shogi

Shogi, or Japanese chess, is played on a 9x9 board, and like chess, your goal is to capture the king. But here’s where it gets wild; captured pieces switch sides and become yours. That’s right. One minute you're celebrating a great move, the next you're panicking because your own piece is coming back for you. Every turn can flip the whole game, so if you like living on the edge, Shogi’s your game.

Go

Go is ancient, like over 4,000 years old, and people still can’t get enough of it. Played on a 19x19 grid, the goal is to claim the most territory by surrounding empty spaces. Simple in theory, absolutely ruthless in practice. There’s no king to checkmate, just a constant mental brawl over who can box in the most area.

Hive

Hive is like chess but without a board; just a bunch of hexagonal tiles. Each tile is a bug with its own quirky movement. The mission is to trap your opponent's queen bee. Beetles crawl over others, grasshoppers leap like maniacs, and spiders creep strategically. The layout changes with every turn, which means no two games are ever the same. Plus, it's portable and quick to learn.

Onitama