"Oh, is this the game from Star Trek?" is a question we answer. A LOT. Second only to "How do you play it?" Alas, no: the games are visually similar, but fundamentally different. If you're simply looking to cos-play as Kirk and Spock from the original series or as Michael Burnham and young Spock from Discovery, the Original 3D Chess Game might serve as a good stand-in, but for collectors looking to add to their memorabilia coffers, this isn't the game for you.
The Original 3D Chess Game is a stand-alone multi-level chess variant designed for real-world play with complete, functional rules. Tri-Dimensional Chess, on the other hand, was originally designed simply as a prop for the original Star Trek television series. Thankfully, die-hard Trekkies developed a set of rules for playing Tri-Dimensional chess, so it's usefulness extends beyond the display shelf.
Physical Design Differences
The Original 3D Chess Game Features:
- Three identical 8 x 8 square game boards stacked vertically
- Uniform board sizes across all three levels
- A streamlined single "tree" support structure
Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess Features:
- 7-9 boards of varying dimensions
- Three main 4 x 4 square boards
- Four (TOS) or six (TNG) smaller 2 x 2 "attack boards"
Star Trek's Iconic Chess Scenes
Tri-Dimensional Chess has appeared in numerous Star Trek episodes across the many iterations of the show. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock played the game in episodes including "Where No Man Has Gone Before" and "Charlie X" (Kirk won both matches). The game also appeared in "Court Martial" and became a recurring visual element throughout The Original Series.
In the episode "Charlie X," Captain Kirk famously called checkmate while playing against Mr. Spock, though the move was later declared impossible based on the board position shown on screen. This highlights how the game served more as a storytelling device than a rigorously playable game during the show's original run.
The chess set appeared several times in The Next Generation (apparently Riker and Troi are the resident masters). It can be seen in Deep Space Nine, Strange New Worlds, Picard, and plays a prominent role in Discovery.
Which Game is Right for You?
Choose The Original 3D Chess Game if you want:
- Consistent board dimensions
- Classic chess rules with modest modification
- A space-age aesthetic
- Easy assembly and setup
Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess is ideal for:
- Die-hard Star Trek collectors and fans
- Display pieces and conversation starters
- Those who enjoy fan-created rule variants
- Recreating iconic moments from the series
The Bottom Line
Playin' games is fun. Buy both!