Das neue Kriegsspiel is a wargame based on chess-like mechanics. It tries to be a simpler version of Johann C. L. Hellwig's "Versuch eines aufs Schachspiel gebaueten taktischen Spiels von zwey und mehreren Personen zu spielen". The main goal of the game is to conquer the enemy fortress, with Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery. The movement of the pieces and combat is very similar to chess. The game is played on a square gridded board with 600 squares, which depict terrain like mountains, towns, water and swamps.