"It's all about strategy. He's planning his next move, and the move after that, and the move after that."

—Elizabeth Weir

Chess is a recreational and competitive game played between two players that originates on Earth. Chess is often played by Atlantis personnel in Atlantis' mess hall and by Major Samantha Carter and Cassandra Fraiser on Saturdays. On one occasion, Cassandra even levitated a chess piece when she developed telekinetic powers. (ATL: "Aurora") (SG1: "Rite of Passage")

When Colonel Jack O'Neill was discharged from the Air Force, he was so bored at one point that he played chess on his own, playing himself as the opponent. When he returned from Washington D.C. to Colorado Springs to sell his house, he played chess with Major General Henry Landry. O'Neill often plays chess on his computer at Homeworld Command. (SG1: "Shades of Grey", "Avalon, Part 1") (SGU: "Air, Part 3")

When Colonel Everett Young speaks to Dr. Nicholas Rush after returning from the planet Eden, he sees Rush carving out a chessboard and pieces with a knife and mentions that he is also fond of the game. Eventually he completed a crudely made set of pieces and used to play with Eli Wallace, apparently winning every game. (SGU: "Faith", "Hope")