Dark Chess

Strategy· Puzzle· Chess· Turn-Based Strategy

Released Feb 2023

THIS IS NOT CLASSIC CHESS! Dark Chess is an asymmetric puzzle-strategy game featuring fog of war. Survive a story-driven campaign filled with custom boards, traps, and rule-breaking Kings and Queens of the past. Stealth, calculated risks and outsmarting the unknown are your only ways to win.

75% positive · 213 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 8 Oct 2026 $5.19 $12.99 −60%

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Evaluation

Dark Chess launched into Early Access in late 2022 and officially released on February 28, 2023. The developer, Tall Troll Games, supported the game with a steady stream of patches and feature updates throughout 2023, adding content such as Steam achievements, an English voiceover, new campaign modes, Mac/Linux support, and various balance improvements. On May 16, 2025, the developer published a final update post explicitly stating that this was "our final major update for Dark Chess." In that same post, they announced the shutdown of online multiplayer servers and confirmed that the team is moving on to their next game, Untraveled Lands: Chantico. They noted they would only return to Dark Chess to fix critical bugs if they arise, but no further content development is planned. This is a clear, unambiguous developer statement that the game's content is complete. There are no unreleased DLC listings, no outstanding roadmap commitments, and no signals of further planned updates. The game shipped as a complete, finished product as of May 16, 2025.

Evidence

Developer explicitly states this is the 'final major update for Dark Chess,' announces shutdown of online multiplayer servers, and confirms the team is moving on to their next game (Untraveled Lands: Chantico). Only critical bug fixes will be addressed going forward.

news post · May 16, 2025 source development ending

high

Winter Wonderland update shipped with AI improvements, UI updates, balance fixes, and bug fixes.

news post · Dec 19, 2023 source content shipped

medium

Media

Details

Developer

Tall Troll Games

Publisher

Tall Troll Games

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS, Linux

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player · Multiplayer · PvP · Local/Split Screen

Chess Strategy Turn-Based Strategy Puzzle Turn-Based Tactics Tabletop Board Game Time Travel Dark Fantasy Casual Dark 2D Artificial Intelligence Turn-Based Combat Tactical

About this game

THE GAME

THIS IS NOT YOUR STANDARD CHESS!

Dark Chess takes the core rules of the world's most famous board game and throws them into the unknown. The Fog of War hides the enemy army. This is no longer a game of memorized openings; it's about stealth, tactical risk-taking and making educated guesses before stepping into the dark.

Note: If you are a chess purist looking for a perfectly balanced, zero luck simulator, this game will frustrate you. But if you love asymmetric puzzles, rule-bending mechanics and brain-teasing strategy, welcome to the dark.

FEATURES

Fog of War: Analyze what you can see, predict what is hiding in the shadows.
Story-Driven Campaign: A fully narrated adventure against legendary masters.
Asymmetric Boss Battles: Enemies have unique abilities and cheat the rules. Outsmart them.
Brain-Bending Puzzles: Levels designed to test your spatial logic and survival skills.
Customization and Rewards: Earn achievements by solving difficult puzzles to unlock visual upgrades and customize your avatar.

ADVENTURE TIME

THE CAMPAIGN: ASYMMETRIC BOSS FIGHTS

Step into a fully narrated, single-player story campaign where you fight Queens and Kings of the past. Do you dare to challenge Genghis Khan, outsmart King Solomon or terrify Ivan the Terrible?
Be warned: they do not play by the rules.

Historical leaders act as boss fights with unique and unfair abilities, from infinite piece respawns to randomized traps and poisoned boards. You cannot win by playing standard chess. Use whatever it takes to your advantage, slip past heavy defenses and assassinate the King or the Queen.

Expect the unexpected after the very first move.

REWARDS & CUSTOMIZATION

Every hard-fought victory deserves a prize. Dark Chess actively rewards your tactical brilliance! For every complex puzzle you solve, difficult boss you defeat, or clever trap you set, you will earn achievements that unlock new visual upgrades. Build your collection and fully customize your in-game avatar to show off your progress.

Whether you are a board game enthusiast, a fan of tactical games or a puzzle-solver looking for a thrilling mental challenge, Dark Chess will test your ability to adapt and survive.