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Linear Chess
Chess on a single line of 21 squares. Rethink familiar tactics with adapted piece movement and win by checkmate or centre control. Play locally, challenge the AI or face another player online across four distinct 3D themes.

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Features
Languages:
Interface Full Audio Subtitles
English ✔
French ✔
German ✔
Spanish - Spain ✔
Simplified Chinese ✔
Portuguese - Brazil ✔
See all 6 supported languages

Coming Soon To Early Access

The developers of this game intend to release as a work in progress, developing with the feedback of players.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Early Access lets us gather player feedback on the balance, usability and stability of Linear Chess. This feedback will help us prioritize improvements and refine the playing experience.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We currently estimate approximately 3 to 6 months of Early Access, starting from the Early Access launch. This is an estimate, not a fixed release date. The duration may change depending on player feedback, balance and stability testing, and progress on the planned content.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“For the full version, our goals are to refine the interface, improve the AI and game balance, and strengthen multiplayer reliability. We also plan to add challenges, polish the existing visual themes, and introduce new themes and chess pieces. Priorities and the scope of these additions may evolve with development and player feedback.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Linear Chess is playable on its 21-square board: solo against an AI with four difficulty levels, local two-player games, and private or ranked Steam matches. Chaos offers mirrored random starting formations or formations chosen separately by each player, with unranked online play. The game includes four visual themes, six languages and four interactive tutorial chapters. Stability, usability and balance will continue to be refined during Early Access.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“We plan to keep the same base price during Early Access and after the full release.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“Once the store page is public, players will be able to share feedback in the Steam discussions. Bug reports, comments on balance and usability, and suggestions will help guide improvements.”
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This game is not yet available on Steam

Planned Release Date: Nov 4, 2026

This game plans to unlock in approximately 13 days

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About This Game

21 squares. One line.


Chess on a single line of 21 squares. Familiar pieces, adapted moves.

White and Black pieces on the single line of 21 squares in Linear Chess.

Each side starts with six pieces and gaps that leave room to manoeuvre. Read the position, protect your pieces and decide where to apply pressure.

Familiar pieces, new moves


Your queen passes through friendly pieces

Open a route and prepare an attack even when your own pieces fill the line.



Jumps that change the position

The knight jumps three or four squares, forwards or backwards. Here, it leaps over an enemy pawn and captures a queen.



The bishop moves and captures by jumping one, two or four squares. Their distinct moves let you cross obstacles and threaten from unexpected positions.

A rook can travel the line, but friendly pieces can block its way. Set up castling to bring it back into play. Your pawn can step back once per game, so choose the moment carefully.

Fight for the centre


Win by checkmate or by controlling the centre. The knight occupies it and earns a point on White’s next turn. The opposing queen responds by capturing it, interrupting its hold.



After the first four full turns, win by keeping the same piece at the centre for four of your subsequent turns, or accumulate six control points. Pawns can contribute once promoted.

Chaos mode: Rethink your opening


The same pieces and rules, with a different way to prepare your duel: adapt to a random formation or build your own.

Random Chaos: Adapt your opening

The six pieces are placed at random, with the same formation mirrored for both sides.

Two examples of starting positions.

Two Random Chaos starting formations shown in sequence: six pieces per side, with mirrored arrangements for White and Black.

Organized Chaos: Prepare your formation

Place your six pieces on your side’s eight squares, following the placement rules. Online, formations are only revealed once both players are ready.

Organized Chaos preparation in the actual game interface: placing pieces in the player’s eight squares, then locking the formation before the match.

The AI chooses its formation before you place your pieces, without knowing your choices. On the same computer, take turns preparing your formations while the other player looks away, with a handover screen between players.

Face the AI, play together on the same PC, or challenge another Steam player online. Unrated play, with no Elo changes.

Four distinct 3D themes


The four 3D themes in Linear Chess: Classic, Neon, Nordic Kingdom and Enchanted Garden.

Choose Classic, Neon, Nordic Kingdom or Enchanted Garden. Each 3D theme brings its own atmosphere while keeping the same rules. Rotate and zoom the camera to find your preferred view, and customise your keyboard shortcuts.

Choose your challenge


  • Play on the same PC with a friend, or choose from four AI difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, Hard and Extreme.
  • Create a private Steam lobby to play with friends.
  • Try Ranked play with Elo and a 5-minute clock per player, plus 3 seconds per move.
  • Adjust the clock and selected rules for local, solo and private matches.

In Chaos, normal match XP is reserved for confirmed results between human players on Steam. AI and same-PC play grant no match XP. Cancellations and matches ended by disconnection grant no XP. A resignation, timeout loss or agreed draw before four total game actions grants no XP.

Four interactive tutorials, including an introduction to Chaos, help you get started.

Available in English, French, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Simplified Chinese.

The online modes require Steam and an Internet connection. Ranked matchmaking depends on available players.

One line. Find your opening.

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

Some textures, 3D models and translations were created using generative AI tools, then selected and integrated by the developer. These tools were also used to produce visual references and promotional visuals.

No content is generated by AI during matches. The computer opponent uses programmed game logic.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit)
    • Processor: Intel Core i3-4130 / AMD FX-4300 or equivalent
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 / AMD Radeon RX 460, 2 GB VRAM, or equivalent
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: Minimum configuration intended for 1280 × 720 with the Performance or Compatibility graphics profile. Keyboard and mouse required. Internet connection and Steam required for online play.
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
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