Chess or Sketch Round?
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 Sketch Round are made for different groups.
- From 3 players on, only Sketch Round works: it goes up to 10 players, Chess only up to 2.
- Sketch Round is quicker to learn than Chess (explained in a minute vs. takes experience).
- Sketch Round needs a TV, or an iPad or Mac as the table; Chess also runs on phones alone.
- Sketch Round is louder than Chess (loud vs. silent).
- Sketch Round needs at least 3 players – with fewer people, only Chess works.
- Only Chess can be played against the computer – Sketch Round needs real players.
- Sketch Round is over sooner: usually 10–20 minutes, while Chess takes 10–40 minutes.
At a glance
| At a glance | Chess | Sketch Round |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Board and dice games | Party games |
| Players | 2 players | 3–10 players |
| Length of a game | 10–40 min | 10–20 min |
| Age | ages 6+ | ages 7+ |
| Luck or skill | pure skill | mostly skill |
| Noise level | silent | loud |
| Learning curve | takes experience | explained in a minute |
| Interaction | you react to each other | lots of back and forth |
| TV | not needed | needed |
| Against the computer | yes | no |
| Teams | no | no |
| 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.
Sketch Round
One person draws on their phone while everyone else watches the picture appear live on the TV and types a guess. Faster correct guesses score more – and the worst drawings tend to be the funniest.
Pick Sketch Round when three to ten people are gathered around a TV and like to laugh.
What they have in common
- Both work from age 7.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.