Chess Ultimate

Strategy· Tabletop· Turn-Based Strategy· Turn-Based Tactics

Released Oct 2024

Chess just got an upgrade! Chess Ultimate, where precision strategy meets colorful chaos. Build your team from a roster of unique, quirky characters to defend your King while plotting your opponent’s downfall. Easy to pick up, endlessly fun to master, and a fresh take on the classic game of wits.

87% positive · 305 reviews

Not yet

Released, ongoing live service game

High confidence

Live Service

Not yet

Released, ongoing live service game

High confidence

Live Service

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Steam Free

Evaluation

Chess Ultimate launched on October 6, 2024 and has been receiving consistent updates ever since. The game is built around a live-service model: it features a Battle Pass with rotating cosmetic rewards, a shop with ongoing content additions, and a growing roster of characters. Updates have shipped at a steady pace — April 2025, May 2025, June 2025, August 2025, November 2025, January 2026, February 2026, and most recently June 1, 2026 — demonstrating that the developer has been actively supporting the game throughout its lifecycle. Recent patches have added entirely new characters (Dragon and Fisherman in February 2026), a new Puzzle Mode (June 2026), weekly tournaments, balance changes, and cosmetic expansions. This is an ongoing, evolving game with no indication that development is winding down.

Evidence

Patch 5.7 adds a new Puzzle Mode alongside balance changes and bug fixes — most recent developer communication as of June 2026

news post · Jun 1, 2026 source development ongoing

high

Two new characters (Dragon and Fisherman) added to the roster, along with checker rework and balance changes — showing active content expansion

news post · Feb 28, 2026 source content shipped

high

Media

Details

Developer

Jesse Lugassy

Publisher

Jesse Lugassy

Achievements

—

Platform

Windows, macOS

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Not rated

Players

Single-player · Multiplayer · PvP

Strategy Tabletop Turn-Based Strategy Turn-Based Tactics 3D Cartoon Colorful Cute Stylized Top-Down Fantasy Chess Free to Play

About this game

Prepare to rethink everything you know about chess! Chess Ultimate is a draft-based strategy game that combines the timeless appeal of chess with dynamic, game-changing twists. Build your dream team by drafting unique characters, each with their own powerful abilities, and face off in battles where no two games are ever the same.

Outsmart your opponents with clever strategies, unleash your team, and dominate the board in this exciting reimagining of the classic game. Whether you're a chess enthusiast or a newcomer, Chess Ultimate offers fresh gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.

Are you ready to draft, strategize, and conquer?