[1][2] Combat Chess follows the same rules as traditional chess, with pieces moving in an animated fashion and battles playing out so that the capturing piece defeats its target.

[3] The game's options for the computer opponent include how much processing power it will use and how long it takes to ponder the move.

The game's other features includes the ability to create your own tutorials, setting up the board to recreate famous matches, and being able to load PGN files from other chess programs.

[5][8][3] GameSpot called the battle animations a novelty that quickly wears off.

[3] Pelit said the graphics were not good and the camera perspective was hiding smaller pieces behind larger ones.