Checkmate Showdown Demo Available on Steam

I have followed ManaVoid Entertainment’s work since they began development on Rainbow Billy. However, after Rainbow Billy was released, I was curious to see what would come next for the independent developer. It seems that they have created an unlikely hybrid, mixing chess with fighting game combat.

Checkmate Showdown (or Chess Kombat as I’ve called it) will launch on Steam on November 15^th, 2023. While this is a relatively new game for me, it had a presence at EVO 2023 and has been played by some of the biggest competitors on the scene. A new demo will be available from now until the end of the upcoming Steam Next Fest, which will run from October 9^th to October 16^th.

Here is what the press release says about Checkmate Showdown: “Inspired by the rising popularity of chessboxing, competitive chess streaming and the new golden age of fighting games, Checkmate Showdown is an online multiplayer competitive game mixing the strategical elegance of chess with the fast-paced execution of fighting games. Through its innovative dual-leveled gameplay, it will truly challenge players to a competition of mind and spirit.

Developed by a team of passionate fighting game players, Checkmate Showdown will feature the standard elements all fighting game enthusiasts expect with a robust combo system and a tight-knit combat approach that rewards skill over button mashing.”

In terms of the demo, every day there will be a new chessboard layout. Each board will be drawn from games that were played by pros or streamers during various events. Room codes and local play will be enabled, or you can play Quickplay and match up against players around the world. I’m intrigued by the concept of Checkmate Showdown, but only time will tell if it stacks up with other heavy hitters.