Overview
Linear Chess takes the familiar pieces of chess and compresses the whole battle onto a single line of 21 squares. Developed and published by SHOWRIFT, this Early Access strategy title launched on November 4, 2026, and asks players to rethink positioning when there is no board to spread across — only a narrow corridor where every square matters.
Each side begins with six pieces, and the gaps between them are deliberate. Those empty spaces are the room you need to manoeuvre, so reading the position becomes just as important as planning an attack.
Protecting your own pieces while deciding where to apply pressure is the heart of every match.
Highlights
- Familiar pieces return with adapted movement rules, so experienced chess players have a starting point while still facing new tactical puzzles.
- The queen can pass through friendly pieces, letting you open a route and prepare an attack even when your own pieces fill the line.
- The knight jumps three or four squares forwards or backwards, and the bishop moves and captures by jumping one, two or four squares, allowing both to cross obstacles and threaten from unexpected angles.
Who It's For
This one suits players who enjoy turn-based tactics and board games but want a compact twist on a classic. Fans of competitive online play can face opponents in PvP, while solo players can explore the system at their own pace. If you like the idea of chess where the board itself is the puzzle, this is worth a look on Steam.
Game Info
- Developer / Publisher: SHOWRIFT
- Genre: Casual, Indie, Strategy (Early Access)
- Release Date: November 4, 2026
- Modes: Single-player, Multi-player, Online PvP
- Languages: English, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese - Brazil
