I don’t really like Chess, but I WANT to like Chess. I think the rules and strategies are interesting, and can fully appreciate why it’s such a highly regarded and enduring game. I just? don’t have the brain capacity for it. But like I said, I WANT to like it, and the new mobile game Lazy Chess also wants me to like it and is able to do that with some very clever design decisions. There are more variations and unique takes on Chess than you can shake one of those horsey pieces at, but Lazy Chess doesn’t really fall into those categories.
This is a straight-up version of Chess, but the crucial change is that the game uses AI to offer you the two best moves each time it’s your turn to play. It doesn’t tell you which move is the BEST move given the situation, but you’ve got a 50/50 shot at it. And? that’s it. That’s the game. It utilizes the highly rated Stockfish Chess engine to determine what to moves to show you, and if you pick the better of the two moves it will let you know, and if you pick the worst of the two moves it will also let you know. It’s like having an expert Chess player sitting over your shoulder during a game, telling you what to do, but also letting you make your own decisions and mistakes.

The kicker is that just by observing the two moves offered each turn, and then taking note of when you pick the best or the worst option, you find yourself slowly learning the game at a deeper level a...