Drone Chess takes place on a 12x12 grid. Each level gives the Drone and Human a starting position and has a unique placement of walls and enemies. On the player’s turn, the Drone is able to move straight or diagonally and can choose from one of 4 actions.

The Drone is equipped with a Laser that is capable of shooting a beam in a straight or diagonal line from the Drone’s position. The laser can pass through walls and will kill any living creature it passes through.

The Drone is also equipped with a Missile. The missile can similarly move in a straight or diagonal line however it cannot pass through walls. The Missile can be housed in the chassis of the Drone, and when shot out of the Drone’s chassis it is able to complete two moves, allowing it to be much more nimble.

The Drone has two defensive options: Field, which can be used to block attacks or pathways of enemies, and Displace which allows the Drone to move the Human from one adjacent tile to another. This can move the Human out of harm's way.

The threats that the Human will face include a Melee Enemy. The Melee Enemy will move one tile along the shortest pathway towards the human and if they move into an adjacent tile they will attack the Human and the Drone will have failed.

There is also a Projectile Enemy. A bug-like alien equipped with a rifle. This enemy will similarly move one tile at a time and aim to move into a tile in a straight or horizontal line to the human. If they do so they will fire and the Drone will have failed.

If the Drone can successfully kill all enemies while defending the human from attack, the Drone will have succeeded and the game will proceed to the next level.