Other strategy game interests?

[danihel]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone knows of any games that employ chess type strategy, but are not considered "chess variants"?

[Alterax]

Hi,

What do you mean with "chess type strategies"? Do you mean calculating positions in your head with that?

[danihel]

Yeah somewhat. Sorry for being a little vague, but it's hard to qualitatively describe exactly what I mean. In essence, I mean a type of game that is played on a square board, with pieces that move similar to chess, with the object being to capture a specific point or piece. An example of what I'm talking about would be with a game that I have been playing recently called Zatikon (www.zatikon.com), in which you construct an army of varied pieces, and the object of the game is to capture your opponents castle on the other side of the board. I've been browsing around on Google trying to find games in a similar vein, but I haven't had much luck. From my results on other forums, have gotten squad leader/advanced squad leader, but I have yet to give those a try.

[Checkmate]

I know, you are not talking of chess variants but maybe this wiki-article will still be usefull and helps to find some similar boardgames: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_variant

There is a huge list of chess-like games.

[danihel]

Yeah I checked that site out before I wrote this thread. The problem that I have with the "chess variants" site that wikipedia links you to is that these chess variants are extremely similar to chess, essentially they are just chess with a different shape board, maybe a new piece or 2, or a new rule, but there isn't much thinking outside of the box in terms of overall creativity with the game. I'm looking for a game that requires me to analyze positions, strategy and tactics in a vein similar to chess, but without being chess. For example, the Zatikon game introduces ranged pieces into the game, which adds a new dimension to the analysis if your position. I think games like these are too few and far between, chess players write them off because they are "too different from chess", when in reality you are running through the same thought processes that you would in chess, and computer gamers write them off because the thought processes and strategy that is involved is too complex for them to win consistently against experienced players. If you haven't found or played any games like these; I suggest giving them a try.