Flying Chess (also known as Aeroplane Chess) is a classic board game that mixes simple rules, luck, and light strategy. It’s very popular among families and casual gamers, especially kids. In this review, we’ll explore what Flying Chess is, how it plays, its pros & cons, tips, and whether it’s worth your time (or money, in app versions).
What is Flying Chess?
- Flying Chess is a cross-and-circle style board game, similar to Ludo and Pachisi. It originated in China.
- Players have four airplane tokens (pieces) The goal is to move all your planes from your “hangar” (start area) around the board and finally into your “home base” or terminal.
- Movement is decided by rolling a die. You usually need a roll of six to bring a plane out of the hangar onto the board.
How to Play: Key Rules
Here are the basic rules/features that define the Flying Chess experience:
- Setup
- 2–4 players. Each chooses a color and has four planes.
- All planes start in the hangar. You need to roll a six to bring one plane out.
- Movement
- On your turn, roll the die. Move one of your planes the number of spaces shown.
- If you roll six, sometimes you get an extra turn. Also, you can choose to move a plane out or move one already on the board.
- Special Spaces and Shortcuts
- The board often contains special safe zones where your plane can’t be “bumped” (sent back by another player).
- Some versions have “flying routes” (shortcuts) that allow planes to skip parts of the path—landing on certain marked spaces triggers them. t
- Bumping / Capturing
- If your plane lands on a space occupied by an opponent’s plane, you send that plane back to the hangar. This adds tension and strategy.
- Winning
- First to get all four planes around the board and into home base wins.
Pros & Cons
Here are the strengths and weaknesses of Flying Chess, in both physical board game format and digital/app versions:
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple and easy to learn — rules are not complex, so even children can understand and play. | Luck-heavy — outcome can depend largely on dice rolls, which can frustrate players who prefer more control or strategy. |
| Fun for family and social play — colorful, visually appealing, can play with 2–4 people. | Limited strategic depth — though there are choices, they are less complex than games like chess or more tactical board games. |
| Fast-paced games — most games finish in about 30–45 minutes or less. Good for casual play. | Can be frustrating when you’re behind — being bumped back, waiting for a 6, etc., can feel unfair. |
| Digital/app versions add features — online multiplayer, animations, special effects, sometimes rewards. | Some app versions have monetization / real-money or reward claims which might be dubious or distracting. Always check credibility. |
Review of Digital Versions / Apps
- There are many apps that recreate Flying Chess on Android/iOS. These often include features like online multiplayer, colorful graphics, and animations.
- Some apps promote earning through playing or rewards, referrals, etc. These can be attractive but sometimes risk of false promises or monetization that distracts from gameplay.
- Games differ in their version of rules: safe zones, flying/shortcut paths, special power-ups, etc. It’s worth reading user reviews to see how faithfully the app implements classic rules.
Tips & Strategies to Enjoy / Win More Often
Even though luck plays a large role, there are several ways you can improve your chances or at least enjoy the game more:
- Get your planes out early — don’t wait too long in the hangar. The more planes on the board, the more flexibility you have.
- Use safe squares wisely — landing in safe zones protects your plane from being bumped.
- Take advantage of shortcuts/flying routes if your version has them — they can save many moves.
- Stack your own planes (if the rules allow) to move together when possible — but beware being in an opponent’s path when stacked.
- Block opponents — land in their paths to force them to disrupt or avoid your planes, especially near their home stretch.
- Balance risk vs reward — sometimes moving a plane forward aggressively is worth the risk; sometimes staying safe is better.
Is Flying Chess Worth It?
If you are looking for:
- A light, fun, casual game to enjoy with family/friends, especially younger players — yes, Flying Chess is excellent.
- A short activity between more strategic games — good choice.
- A deep strategy game — this isn’t Flying Chess’s main strength. If you prefer deep tactics, consider other board or strategy games.
For digital versions, be wary of apps promising significant rewards or earnings. Always check reviews and whether the app is legit.
Conclusion
Flying Chess brings together simple rules, bright visuals, and a balance between luck and light strategy. It shines in family settings, casual gaming sessions, and when you want something easy to learn and play. While it won’t replace highly strategic board games in complexity, its charm lies in being accessible, fun, and often nostalgic.
If you want a game that’s easy to pick up, with tension, laughter, and the thrill of “just one more roll,” Flying Chess ris a strong pick.
Read also: Best Chess Books for Beginners and Intermediate Players
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