My Dear Watson, the game, as they say, is afoot! What can you deduce about our suspect?

Why Holmes, it appears to be a Chess varient, but I don't see much else.

Ah, there you are wrong. I see that this is an American Style game, rather than a German immigrant. You see, it has the classic single fold board and box shape of the classic American form. I also note that the cards while bright and colorful, are also rather thin and not of outstanding quality.

I see what you are saying, Holmes. What do you make of the pieces?

Well, they are of thin, laminated cardboard, rather than solid wooden or plastic figures as one usually expects in a Chess set. The "regular" pieces make a rather abreviated group; there are no bishops or queens. And did you notice, Watson, that the board has an extra row and column! I've examined the special pieces closely, they don't appear to belong to either the black or the white side, rather they take the identifying base when called into play by the proper play of the cards.

Indubitabally, Holmes. I say, doesn't it make it a bit difficult to distinguish friend from foe?

Indeed Watson, indeed. And you might have detected that these special pieces aren't nearly as powerful as their usual counterparts. Notice how the special pieces are restricted to only a portion of the board by their colors. I deduce that their effectiveness is highly curtailed.

But tell me, Holmes, do you think the game plays out as expected?

No, Watson, I do not. Consider the relatively random appearance of the special pieces upon the field of combat, based on the four cards held in each hand. Planning subsequent moves becomes quite impossible; we are never sure what may or may not appear, and where! I do believe the elegance of Chess is quite lost in the translation.

Surely, Holmes, you don't think this game is without merit?!

Watson, I'm afraid if you are asking me to render my professional opinion, there is little of positive note I can say. The theme is rather thin, at best; this is an abstract game. The marriage between traditional chess and the elements seems rather forced, and I fear may lead to an untimely disallusion. The components can best be described as cheap. The play will be frustrating for those accustomed to the more traditional pasttime. The dreaded analysis paralysis is as prevalent as in the true chess. Even for those who find problems of the special pieces an a worthy divirsion, may find this game outstays its welcome. And while I have not made a complete study of the matter, the outcome may hinge too much on the luck of the draw.

So, Holmes, you would recommend our suspect, Elemental Chess, for no more than bargain bin aquisition?

Indeed, Watson.