Chess Ultra

Chess will always be chess, but with its glorious presentation and wealth of options, Chess Ultra is a Queen in a genre filled with Pawns.

Check this, mateThere’s something enjoyable about a good game of chess. One of the oldest strategy games in history, yet the thought and planning that goes into strategically out-foxing your opponent is incredibly satisfying when the execution pays off. This Nintendo Switch release of Chess Ultra has been developed by Ripstone, and those of you that suspect it looks familiar will note that the same studio published VooFoo Studio’s Pure Chess a few years back and developed this iteration in-house.Like Pure Chess, Chess Ultra possesses a level of polish and presentation that puts it above some other board game releases, with the pieces beautifully rendered and the cozy and interesting environments you play in really enhance the atmosphere, even though they make no difference to the actual game itself. It just gives it more of a premium feel and justifies the £9.99 asking price, if you ask me. Which as you are reading my review, I assume you are.As for the game itself, the rules of chess haven’t changed in the hundreds of years it has been around, and there aren’t enough words allowed for this review to explain them all, let alone effectively. Chess is a turn-based strategy game where you alternate moves and move your pieces around accordingly.

Pawns are like soldiers and move forward one square at a time. That said, you can capture other pieces diagonally if they’re adjacent to your next forward move. As for the higher profile pieces their movement range depends on opposing pieces. Bishops move diagonally, Rooks in straight lines vertically and horizontally and the queen can move any of the basic eight directions, but only if they aren’t blocked in by their own pieces. If an opponent’s piece is in the line of movement then you will capture that piece, removing it from play.

Knights are slightly different, as they have a “L” shaped move requirement but can move anywhere within these spaces. The last piece is the King, who has a pitiful range of movement, but is the most important piece – the game ends when the king cannot move without being taken, which is called “Checkmate”.The game plays incredibly well – you’d think it would be hard to mess chess up, but there is more than the standard game in here.

You can play online with others, take on the AI or even play with a local opponent, using split Joy-Con and the game displays as a chess board, laid flat. There are multiple challenges to undertake and the tutorials here more than effectively explain the game for newcomers, and those that have dabbled previously could still learn a thing or two. Also present are tournaments and even some historic matches. Have you ever wanted to rewrite chess history?

I haven’t, but it’s a nice addition nonetheless and hardcore fans might actually know what happened in these matches!If you find yourself with a few quid in the eShop account and fancy a bit of chess, you cannot go wrong with this.

Take a trip to one of the most popular beaches in the world and experience everything Santa Monica chess park has to offer. Get ready to challenge your opponent under blue skies and swaying palm trees.The Santa Monica Game Pack includes a contemporary chess set that has been given a new lease of life. Inspired by the popular skate scene on the California coast, each individual piece in the Skate chess set has been fashioned from recycled skateboard parts.Meticulously hand-carved and available with two different finishes; painted or polished, the Skate chess set brings forgotten skateboards of the past back to life.This pack contains a chess set & an environment.

These can be used separately and paired with all other sets and environments in game. Presenting the Nette Robinson ‘St Basil’s Cathedral’ Art Chess set; specially commissioned by Purling London and now available in the virtual world of Chess Ultra.Created by chess player and artist Nette Robinson, this exquisite chess set was inspired by the striking architecture of two Russian landmarks. The light pieces are based on Moscow’s domed cathedral; Christ the Saviour, whilst the dark pieces represent the patterns and colours of St Basil’s Cathedral.This pack contains a chess set only, which can be used in any environment in the game. Presenting the Olivia Pilling Art Chess set; specially commissioned by Purling London and now available in the virtual world of Chess Ultra.Created by Northern-England based artist Olivia Pilling, each traditional Staunton piece in this set has been given a contemporary make-over with a rich colour palette and abstract design. Inspired by Russian folk art, the Olivia Pilling Art Chess set is incredibly stylish and guaranteed to make a statement on the chess board.This pack contains a chess set only, which can be used in any environment in the game.

Our goal: to be the last to die. In addition, we can collect the more than one hundred kinds of weapons that are in the game, customize our ‘skin’ and, thus, become legendary assassins. Build and shoot. For this we have the possibility of altering the environment in the same way we did in Minecraft: taking materials from the floor and walls and turning them into objects on our work table.

Presenting the Purling London Bold Chess set; hand selected from a collection of exclusive sets crafted by the critically acclaimed team at Purling London.The vibrant hand-carved Staunton pieces unite classic with contemporary and bring a colourful twist to the chess board. Each luxury hardwood piece has been finished with a deep, glossy lacquer and branded with leather felt, making the Bold Chess set a timeless beauty to be treasured.This pack contains a chess set only, which can be used in any environment in the game.

Inspired by the Isle of Lewis chess set, this download pack for Chess Ultra contains an incredibly detailed set of chess pieces made from walrus ivory (virtual, of course!).The Lewis chessmen are thought to be among the oldest chess pieces ever found. They were discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland which is where their name is derived. Experts estimate they were made in the 12th century, somewhere between 1150 and 1200, in Norway or Iceland.This pack contains a chess set only, which can be used in any environment in the game. The Academy Game Pack is a tribute to the long and noble chess playing tradition in Russia that has produced some of the greatest players of all time, and literally thousands of Grandmasters. Russia is synonymous with chess, it is deeply embedded in Russian culture, and has been in their DNA since first arriving from the Middle East in the 9th century.The beautiful but simple chess pieces are inspired by one of the rarer sets made in the town of Kholmogory, famous for its talented Russian chess carvers. The location is inspired by the academies that produce so many great players and host elite tournaments.Follow in the footsteps of the Russian Grandmasters that played in the halls of the academy and immerse yourself in Chess Ultra.This pack contains a chess set & an environment. These can be used separately and paired with all other sets and environments in game.

Bring a touch of luxury to the board with the Imperial chess set for Chess Ultra.Hand crafted and embellished with jewels fit for a King, the Imperial pack contains two exclusive chessmen designs. The Ruby and Emerald set radiates elegance with polished gold adorned with the finest gemstones, whilst the Platinum and Onyx set provides a striking contrast with stylish gunmetal pieces and elegant stones to match.Make a statement with this exquisite chess set for Chess Ultra.This pack contains a chess set only, which can be used in any environment in the game. This pack features a Roman temple where Imperial Roman soldiers clash on a stone checkerboard.Chess is a battle, and what better chess pieces to do battle with than the Imperial Roman army!Set in a truly epic Roman temple, the chess pieces are equally heroic. Gladiators and centurions stand shoulder-to-shoulder with scholars, and even Julius Caesar himself!This game pack perfectly suits a closely fought battle of wits!This pack contains a chess set & an environment. These can be used separately and paired with all other sets and environments in game.