English · Word Candidate

chess

/t͡ʃɛs/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: chesses

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A board game for two players, each beginning with sixteen chess pieces moving according to fixed rules across a chessboard with the objective to checkmate the opposing king.

Noun

Examples

At the tender age of 20, Penguingm1 is already one of the best hyperbullet and ultrabullet chess players in the world.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Any of several species of grass in the genus Bromus, generally considered weeds.

NounRegister: US

Examples

Hobbled, loudly gourmandizing the dry chess grass, they were guarded by a pair of dismounted soldiers in long, dusty coats [...].

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

One of the platforms, consisting of two or more planks dowelled together, for the flooring of a temporary military bridge.

Noun

Examples

the balks are laid and covered with chesses to within 1 foot of the trestle

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “chess” mean?

A board game for two players, each beginning with sixteen chess pieces moving according to fixed rules across a chessboard with the objective to checkmate the opposing king.

Is “chess” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.