" There were several interesting new games on display at this year's GAMA Trade show, but none more intriguing than Global Chess,a recreation of the classic game with a twist. Global Chess uses all the rules and pieces of regular chess, but it's laid out on a spherical board (in two dimensions, of course.)

The highest selling point of Global Chess is it's remarkable craftsmanship. The two interlocking boards are beautiful to look at, as are the machined aluminum chess pieces. The boards rotate like lazy susans, helping you to visualize possible moves. Altogether, it's a very attractive set.

But a game is about more than looks, right? Definitely, and when it comes to the game part, Global Chess is every bit as good as it's classic counterpart. All the subtle strategies of regular chess are present, and then some. Instead of just focusing your efforts in one direction, you need to consider all angles.You can attack from multiple directions, but that means you need to defend from multiple directions as well.

It's a lot to take in but, if you're a fan of regular chess, Global Chess opens up a lot of intriguing options. The bottom line? It may seem like a lot for a game, but considering the quality of the craftsmanship and the aesthetic appeal of the set (it makes a marvelous conversation piece), it really is an incredible bargain.

Global Chess is a work of true ingenuity, one of the best chess variants the gaming industry has seen. The idea is grand in it's simplicity and the execution is flawless. "

- Jeff Hannes