Minimalist Puzzler Chessarama Gets 2023 Release Window

I like Chess, but I am by no means a good Chess player. Most people I know can beat me relatively quickly, but I’m not the type to agonize over move orders and tournament-esque strategies. Games like Chessarama are more my speed, taking Chess ideas/mechanics and making them a little more friendly.

Developed by the Brazilian studio Minimol Games, Chessarama will release in Q2 2023 for PC and Consoles. Additionally, Chessarama has become an official sponsor of the world’s top online chess tournament, Play Magnus Group’s flagship Champions Chess Tour. It will sponsor the last event in the 2022 season and the entirety of the 2023 season as well.

Here is what the press release has to say about Chessarama: “In Chessarama, the players will be able to enjoy a world of premium minimalist games, unlock collectibles, and compete against each other by climbing the leaderboard. The reimagined chess game scenarios include cultivating a farmyard, fighting a dragon and fighting as a legendary Ronin in feudal Japan.

The story [behind] Chessarama cannot be understood without Raphael Dias, a young Brazilian developer and Ph.D. in Physics who has been marked by his discovery of Chess when he was 14. Chess drove him to not only have a more structured mindset and discipline in his life as [a] student and professional, but also taught him values like respect and patience. His passion for video games came into the mix with Chess in 2019, when he decided to found the independent studio Minimol Games with the mission of developing minimalist and innovative chess-based games.

After 30 small games launched, over 250k copies sold, and an average positive review ratio of over 85%, Minimol Games is developing their most ambitious title to date, Chessarama. Chessarama is a collection of original chess-inspired turn-based games with their own rules, dioramas, and designs.

Play Magnus Group and Minimol Games will work together to make chess accessible and attractive to a wider audience through Chessarama. The aim is fully in line with the wider objectives of the Play Magnus Group.”

Sebastian Kuhnert, Chief Business Development Officer at Play Magnus Group commented on the partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to announce this partnership between the world’s biggest online chess tournament, the Champions Chess Tour and Chessarama, an exciting new puzzle game that everyone can enjoy. Chessarama gives chess fans and puzzle game fans in general the opportunity to test their wits in a new world of turn-based games. It is smart, and it is fun. We can’t wait to show people Chessarama and look forward to its launch in 2023.”

Minimol Games CEO and Creative Director Raphael Dias also weighed in, stating, “We are immensely happy with this partnership between Chessarama and Play Magnus Group. We are fully aligned in the mission of making Chess more accessible and attractive for an even bigger audience, and Chessarama will be a solid new step in that direction.

Chessarama aims to give players a modern gameplay experience, using inspirations from Chess tactics, strategies, and culture to create original puzzle and turn-based games, all in one package. The Champions Chess Tour – the world’s most innovative sport event to emerge in the last few years – is definitely the best partner to present our game to the world.”

I love seeing developers with a passion for games bring imaginative concepts like this to life. Being partnered with such a heavy hitter in the competitive Chess world will no doubt help them stand out too. Let’s hope we see more of Chessarama very soon.