Best Chess Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 255 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 12/26/2024.
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 7,795 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,547 positive reviews and 248 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $6.47 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 | $6.47 |
| 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 6,107 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,603 positive reviews and 504 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 766 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 720 positive reviews and 46 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 85, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 202 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 190 positive reviews and 12 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. 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 #6 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 46 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 46 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 805 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 719 positive reviews and 86 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.
8. 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 #8 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 33 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 33 positive reviews and 0 negative reviews — making it "Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $1.19 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 | $1.19 |
| Release Date | 9/14/2021 |
| Developer | Coreffect Interactive |
| Publisher | Coreffect Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 1517240 |
9. ChessCraft
Never play the same game of chess again! ChessCraft is a chess AI sandbox. Create your own chess boards, rules, and pieces. Play against the computer or your friends online, or win loot by playing one of 80 built-in chess boards in adventure mode.
ChessCraft 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 66 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63 positive reviews and 3 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $5.99 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 | $5.99 |
| Release Date | 12/16/2021 |
| Developer | Stuart Spence |
| Publisher | Frame of Mind |
| Steam App Id | 1635790 |
10. 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 82, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Chess games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 127 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 117 positive reviews and 10 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, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
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 | $6.47 | Steam Charts | |
| 90 | 5/12/2022 | 89 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 5/30/2016 | 88 | $0.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 12/2/2015 | 85 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 6/16/2020 | 85 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 4/30/2020 | 84 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 9/24/2021 | 84 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 9/14/2021 | 83 | $1.19 | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 12/16/2021 | 83 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 8/31/2023 | 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, December 26). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 26). 5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 8). Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 11). KNIGHTS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Militia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 1). 3D Math - Ultra on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 20). Hnefatafl on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 11). Pawnbarian on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 30). CHESS with LASERS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 13). ChessCraft on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 6). Chess Survivors on Steam. Steam Store.