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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

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players freely choose moves and strategies in a simple match-3 gameplay without forced routines."

      Capsule for Bejeweled Deluxe Bejeweled Deluxe

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

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      5

      "The game offers a challenging AI with multiple difficulty levels and realistic physics that require skillful play and provide clear feedback on performance."

      Capsule for Eleven Table Tennis Eleven Table Tennis

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

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      4

      "Features ranked multiplayer with Elo-like matchmaking and leaderboards, encouraging players to compare and improve against others."

      Capsule for GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena

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

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report long play sessions, habitual engagement, and progression systems that encourage continued play."

      Capsule for Warplanes: WW1 Fighters Warplanes: WW1 Fighters

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

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -4

      "Game is primarily 1v1 competitive; minimal cooperative or team-based activities described."

      Capsule for Prismata Prismata

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

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      -3

      "Gameplay follows fixed rules and card sets; limited customization or creation."

      Capsule for Splendor Splendor

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

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      2

      "Competitive multiplayer includes exerting superiority over opponents, though no strong evidence of toxic domination."

      Capsule for COH 2 - The Western Front Armies: US Forces COH 2 - The Western Front Armies: US Forces

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

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      3

      "Players use the game as a relaxing, casual distraction with calming music and simple gameplay."

      Capsule for Super Blue Boy Planet Super Blue Boy Planet

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

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for The Knightling The Knightling

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

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      2

      "Players experiment with different strategies and roles within levels, though within fixed game mechanics and environments."

      Capsule for Overcooked! All You Can Eat Overcooked! All You Can Eat

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

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      -5

      "Game consists of fixed puzzle sets with no new areas or secrets to discover."

      Capsule for Three Digits Three Digits

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

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      1

      "Allows cosmetic customization of pieces and boards, enabling some self-expression."

      Capsule for Scythe: Digital Edition Scythe: Digital Edition

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

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      -5

      "The game simulates realistic chess play without fantasy elements or imaginative fiction."

      Capsule for Pure Chess Grandmaster Edition Pure Chess Grandmaster Edition

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

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      3

      "Multiplayer community and leaderboards foster a sense of belonging among players."

      Capsule for Hexarchy Hexarchy

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

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      5

      "Deep skill progression, learning by doing, and character development are core to gameplay."

      Capsule for The Doors of Trithius The Doors of Trithius

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

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

      Capsule for Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during turns; not suited for idle or background play."

      Capsule for Worms Ultimate Mayhem Worms Ultimate Mayhem

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

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -3

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

      Capsule for BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend

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

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -4

      "No leadership or management roles; players act independently or as equals in matches."

      Capsule for Mahjong Soul Mahjong Soul

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

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

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

      Capsule for Dungeon Escape Dungeon Escape

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

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Music and gameplay provide a relaxing and enjoyable flow experience for many players."

      Capsule for Frederic: Evil Strikes Back Frederic: Evil Strikes Back

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

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      -2

      "Sensory input is minimal and calm; no intense stimulation or excitement."

      Capsule for Nothing Together Nothing Together

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

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      3

      "Online rankings and achievements provide recognition and social status"

      Capsule for 100% Orange Juice 100% Orange Juice

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

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for 140 140

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

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

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

      Capsule for Pure Chess Grandmaster Edition Pure Chess Grandmaster Edition

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

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some tension in timed modes and competitive matches but overall moderate suspense."

      Capsule for Pool Nation Pool Nation

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

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      5

      "Free to play with optional convenience purchases; high perceived value for time invested."

      Capsule for Haven & Hearth Haven & Hearth

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

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No violent or destructive content; gameplay is constructive and abstract."

      Capsule for Understand Understand

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

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must protect their king and manage resources to avoid defeat, emphasizing survival elements."

      Capsule for The Ouroboros King The Ouroboros King

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

    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.

    Last update: 30/04/2026