Top 10 Video Games That Had Chess in Them
Top 10 Video Games That Had Chess in Them
Chess has found its way into some of the world’s most popular video games, from hidden easter eggs to full-blown strategic modes. Whether used as a mental break between battles or a symbolic reflection of strategy and power, chess often sneaks into digital worlds in fascinating ways. Here are ten video games that featured chess, showing how timeless the game truly is, even in the age of technology.
10. Fallout: New Vegas
In Fallout: New Vegas, chess makes an appearance as part of the post-apocalyptic world’s culture and collectibles. Players can find chess pieces and boards scattered throughout the wasteland, often in abandoned buildings or among the relics of a lost civilization. The inclusion of chess fits the game’s deeper themes of strategy, survival, and decision-making. Cool fact: There’s even a robot companion, Yes Man, who makes subtle references to strategy and tactics, hinting at chess as a metaphor for human choice.
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9. Assassin’s Creed III
Assassin’s Creed III features a playable chess mini-game that lets players challenge various NPCs during downtime. The developers included it as a nod to 18th-century leisure and intellect, immersing players in the period’s social habits. The game’s historical atmosphere makes chess feel right at home in the world of colonial intrigue and secret societies. Cool fact: The in-game chessboard matches the style and craftsmanship of actual 1700s chess sets.
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8. Red Dead Redemption II
While Red Dead Redemption II is set in the rough American frontier, it still finds time for refinement. Chess boards appear in saloons and camps, symbolizing intellect and patience amid the chaos of the Wild West. Although not a playable activity, the presence of chess adds depth to the game’s realism. Cool fact: Rockstar Games meticulously placed historical details like chess sets to make the world feel alive and authentic.
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7. Skyrim
In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, chess isn’t directly playable, but fans have discovered chessboards as decorative props in taverns and noble homes. The pieces reflect the medieval fantasy theme, connecting the lore of Tamriel with our own world’s strategic traditions. Many mods also add functional chess games to Skyrim, letting players duel with magic and pawns alike. Cool fact: A popular fan mod called “Battle Chess in Skyrim” lets your pieces literally fight to the death when captured.
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6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
While The Witcher 3 is best known for its card game Gwent, chess still plays a role in its storytelling. In one scene, the character Radovid uses a chessboard as a metaphor for war and politics, describing how each piece represents people on the battlefield. It’s one of the game’s most striking moments, showing how chess serves as a symbol of power and manipulation. Cool fact: The dialogue about chess is often quoted by fans as one of the game’s best-written scenes.
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5. Hitman
The Hitman series often includes chessboards scattered throughout its missions, reflecting the intellectual and strategic nature of Agent 47 himself. In some levels, you can even find targets playing chess before their assassination. The presence of the game emphasizes planning, patience, and precision — all traits shared by skilled assassins and chess players alike. Cool fact: In Hitman: Blood Money, one mission features a playable chessboard that reacts to your moves.
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4. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
In Metal Gear Solid 3, chess appears as part of the game’s broader themes of strategy, loyalty, and psychological warfare. The characters often speak about tactics as if they’re moves on a chessboard, with the player acting as the ultimate strategist. The game’s director, Hideo Kojima, is a fan of symbolic storytelling, using chess to highlight the mind games between characters. Cool fact: The game’s logo and mission structure subtly mirror a chessboard, with Snake as the king under attack.
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3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the chess sequence is one of the most iconic moments, both in the movie and in the video game adaptation. The game lets players experience the thrilling “Wizard’s Chess” battle firsthand, commanding enchanted pieces that destroy each other in cinematic fashion. It captures the mix of danger, logic, and courage that defines the series. Cool fact: The developers modeled the chess animations directly after the film scene, giving players the feeling of stepping into the story.
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2. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
In KOTOR, chess appears indirectly through the game of Pazaak and other strategy-based interactions, but the influence of chess is everywhere in its design. Characters speak about “moving pieces” and “playing the board” as metaphors for galactic politics. The player’s decisions mimic chess strategy, where every choice can determine victory or defeat. Cool fact: George Lucas himself once compared the Jedi-Sith conflict to an eternal chess match of light versus dark.
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1. The Sims Series
The Sims franchise may not seem like a strategy game at first glance, but chess has been a staple of the series since its earliest versions. Sims can play chess to improve their logic skill, which helps them advance in careers and relationships. The game turns chess into a virtual life skill, teaching players that patience and intelligence lead to success. Cool fact: In The Sims 4, chess tournaments and digital chess tables were added to make the experience even more interactive.
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SHOP CHESS
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