Chess or Cover Word?
Both games come with Gather. Here’s how they differ and when each one fits better.
The key differences
- There’s no player count that suits both – Chess and Cover Word are made for different groups.
- From 3 players on, only Cover Word works: it goes up to 12 players, Chess only up to 2.
- Cover Word needs a TV, or an iPad or Mac as the table; Chess also runs on phones alone.
- Cover Word is louder than Chess (loud vs. silent).
- Cover Word needs at least 4 players – with fewer people, only Chess works.
- Cover Word is quicker to learn than Chess (quick to learn vs. takes experience).
- Only Chess can be played against the computer – Cover Word needs real players.
- Cover Word has more interaction than Chess (constant debate vs. you react to each other).
At a glance
| At a glance | Chess | Cover Word |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Board and dice games | Party games |
| Players | 2 players | 4–12 players |
| Length of a game | 10–40 min | 15–30 min |
| Age | ages 6+ | ages 10+ |
| Luck or skill | pure skill | mostly skill |
| Noise level | silent | loud |
| Learning curve | takes experience | quick to learn |
| Interaction | you react to each other | constant debate |
| TV | not needed | needed |
| Against the computer | yes | no |
| Teams | no | yes |
| Bluffing | no | no |
| Reading needed | no | yes |
Which one suits you?
Chess
Two players, one board, no luck: whoever plans better wins. With a clock it turns into a race against time; without one there’s room to think things through.
Pick Chess when two people want a calm, focused game.
Cover Word
Two teams, 25 words on the TV, and only the clue givers know which belong to whom. One word and one number have to steer their team to several cards – and away from the trap.
Pick Cover Word when there are at least four of you and you enjoy lateral thinking.
What they have in common
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.