Best Chess Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 249 Chess games, but not all of them are able to be played on Linux builds. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Chess game rankings were last updated on 10/8/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best chess games on Steam
- Best chess Steam Deck games
- Best chess Steam games (for Mac OS)
- Free chess games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. 5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel
It's the first ever chess variant with spatial, temporal, and parallel dimensions. It's 5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel! Move pieces back in time to create branching timelines. Send a rook to a parallel dimension. Protect your kings in the present and in the past!
5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Chess game on Steam" with a Player Score of 94. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,591 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,350 positive reviews and 241 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play 5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $11.99 |
| Release Date | 7/22/2020 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1349230 |
2. Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate
Chess, but you replace your entire army with a royal shotgun. A unique strategy roguelike based on the timeless checkboard classic.
Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,901 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,407 positive reviews and 494 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 5/12/2022 |
| Developer | PUNKCAKE Delicieux |
| Publisher | PUNKCAKE Delicieux |
| Steam App Id | 1972440 |
3. KNIGHTS
KNIGHTS is a minimalist puzzle game based on a single chess piece, the titular knight. A simple enough to pick up and relaxing experience.
KNIGHTS has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 759 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 714 positive reviews and 45 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play KNIGHTS on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. Militia
Militia is a tight turn-based strategy game that brings the thrill of victory to single-player. It's simple to pick up, and from the moment you start, you'll be learning and improving -- building your skills, learning new strategies, and ranking up on the single player ladder.
Militia has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 139 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 133 positive reviews and 6 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $5.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam Price | $5.99 |
| Release Date | 12/2/2015 |
| Developer | BrainGoodGames |
| Publisher | BrainGoodGames |
| Steam App Id | 421260 |
5. 3D Math - Ultra
Mathematic Ultra - is both simple and complex challenges!
3D Math - Ultra has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 195 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 182 positive reviews and 13 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play 3D Math - Ultra on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 6/16/2020 |
| Developer | Big Mind Games 9000 |
| Publisher | Big Mind Games 9000 |
| Steam App Id | 1309200 |
6. Pawnbarian
Pawnbarian is a quick-playing, turn-based puzzle roguelike. Play cards to move your hero like a chess piece, and conquer challenging dungeons full of cunning monsters!
Pawnbarian has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 792 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 709 positive reviews and 83 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
7. Hnefatafl
The ancient boardgame of the Vikings. Thousands of variants, offline and online cross-platform play with leaderboards and tournaments. Are you ready for the challenge? Prepared to earn your way to Valhalla?
Hnefatafl has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 44 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 44 positive reviews and 0 negative reviews — making it "Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 4/30/2020 |
| Developer | Philippe Schober |
| Publisher | Philippe Schober |
| Steam App Id | 1249510 |
8. Chess Survivors
Chess Survivors is a grid based, quick-turn, roguelike where you outmaneuver and destroy an ever growing horde of chess based enemies. Combine abilities, upgrades, and relics to create game-breaking builds. Think fast, die, learn, repeat!
Chess Survivors has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 120 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 112 positive reviews and 8 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $1.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
9. CHESS with LASERS
Obliterate the enemy's king with your laser by strategically moving/rotating mirrors, portals and more in this mind-bending chess-like game. Challenge your friends or battle an AI (includes Level Editor)!
CHESS with LASERS has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 32 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 32 positive reviews and 0 negative reviews — making it "Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam Price | $11.99 |
| Release Date | 9/14/2021 |
| Developer | Coreffect Interactive |
| Publisher | Coreffect Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 1517240 |
10. SokoChess
SokoChess is a minimalistic puzzle game about pushing chess pieces. Use your pieces to push the black figures to their destination, but be careful! The opposing pieces will capture yours if you give them the chance!
SokoChess has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 43 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 42 positive reviews and 1 negative reviews — making it "Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 8/12/2022 |
| Developer | Daisy Games |
| Publisher | Daisy Games |
| Steam App Id | 1960400 |
More Chess Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Chess games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 7/22/2020 | 94 | $11.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 103 | 5/12/2022 | 89 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 5/30/2016 | 88 | $0.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 12/2/2015 | 85 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 6/16/2020 | 84 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 9/24/2021 | 84 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 4/30/2020 | 84 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 8/31/2023 | 83 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 9/14/2021 | 83 | $11.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 8/12/2022 | 82 | $4.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 8). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 8). 5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 26). Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 28). KNIGHTS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 15). Militia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 19). 3D Math - Ultra on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 31). Pawnbarian on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 1). Hnefatafl on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 15). Chess Survivors on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 17). CHESS with LASERS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 19). SokoChess on Steam. Steam Store.