The original version of chess was invented in 600 AD in India, and over the century the game spread to Europe and gradually evolved into the game we know as chess around the 1500s. Today, around 70% of the adult population knows the rules of the game chess, and there are 1135 active chess grandmasters (GM). However, evidence shows that players are getting tired of the basic rule set; for example, chess has lost over 14% of its players to checkers as of last year. The current leading chess GM Magnus Carlsen recently said in an interview for Chessers Magazine, “Chess is getting boring fam, I am now an Among Us grandmaster brah.”
The developers at Rockstar Games have gained a lot of popularity recently after announcing Grand Theft Auto 6. In retaliation, the masterminds over at Chess have officially come out and announced Chess 2 during an Instagram Live last night.
On Instagram Live it was announced that the game will be played on a 16 by 16 squared board. It is available on all platforms from PC to Samsung Smart Fridge. It will feature numerous new pieces as well as nerfs and buffs to existing pieces. This morning the official Chess Twitter account tweeted the patch notes for the much-anticipated sequel.
Chess 2 Patch Notes:
King buff: Usefulness +30%
Queen nerf: Now has the same mobility as the King to promote gender equality
Left knight now called dame to promote gender equality
In order to avoid any subliminal messaging, Teams are no longer black or white to avoid controversies and are now red and blue
Pawns now have sonic blaster guns with three rounds and are now called Storm Troopers
The left Bishop is missing as it is in prison for touching kids
The right Bishop is now sexually ambiguous
Chesspass will cost 999 Chessbux each season and will include limited edition cosmetics such as skins and piece emotes
You now have to yell “UNO!” when you only have one piece remaining (don't ask me how that works)
All pieces are now edible
Pieces include (32 in total):
16 Sonic Blaster Pawns
2 Rooks
1 Knight
1 Dame
2 Bishops
2 Ministers
2 Dictators
2 Sith Lords
2 Goblin Barrels
1 King
1 Queen
Further detail on gameplay and piece movement will be announced in the release trailer, and a multiplayer DLC will be launched alongside the game. There are rumours that EA sports is looking to purchase the rights of Chess 2, and the developers will be taking the game into a new direction as they release an alternate version every year. Either way, the anticipation for this game is increasing by the day and will most likely live up to expectations as the developers have been working hard for over 500 years.