Does it deserve those eyeballs, then?

After playing an early version of it myself, I sure think so.

Checkmate Showdown starts with typical chess.

A chess knight and a bishop prepare to engage in a 2D fight in Checkmate Showdown

Only special pieces battle.

Whichever piece wins the side-on fight gets to stay on the board.

However, whoever initiates combat (i.e.

Cover image for YouTube video

After combat, any damage your piece received will persist between battles.

A player uses a tag-assist move in Checkmate Showdown, causing the orange Queen to kick a purple Knight while the orange Bishop stands back.

A chess board in Checkmate Showdown, showing orange and purple pieces.

An orange Bishop counters the move of a purple Knight in Checkmate Showdown.

A bishop uppercut punches a rook in Checkmate Showdown.