# Almost Chess — We forgot where the pieces go

> Chess with a randomized board layout for a unique tactical challenge. (iPhone/iPad app by hourafter.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/almost-chess/id6741071027 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [hourafter](https://appshunter.io/developer/1792872292)
- Category: Games, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free (on sale, was $1.99)
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 22 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-02-02
- Data updated: 2026-07-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/almost-chess/id6741071027/reviews.md

## What is Almost Chess?

ALMOST CHESS 

It's chess... but not quite as you remember it. Every game starts with a completely randomized board layout (except the kings, they're not completely lost). Whether you're a grandmaster or a beginner, everyone starts with the same advantage: pure confusion!

Features:
• Single Player: Challenge our AI that's learning to adapt just like you
• Two Player: Share the chaos with a friend
• Daily Challenge: A new puzzling position every day for everyone worldwide
• Valid Move Highlights: We're not completely heartless
• ELO Rating System: Climb the ranks in this bizarre version of chess

Perfect for:
• Chess players looking for a fresh challenge
• Casual gamers who want the strategy without the memorization
• Anyone who's ever thought "regular chess is too predictable"

No opening theory. No memorized patterns. Just pure tactical thinking and adaptability. Can you master Almost Chess?

No ads, just pure chaotic chess fun.

Download now and discover how good you are at chess when nobody knows what they're doing!

## Key features

- Randomized board layouts
- Single player AI challenges
- Two player local mode
- Daily puzzling positions
- Valid move highlighting
- ELO rating system

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/almost-chess/id6741071027/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Game crashes on stalemate

*2025-04-12, version 1.0*

The game is very fun overall, but crashes everytime the ai gets put into a stalemate.

### 5/5 — Fun Game

*2025-04-12, version 1.0*

No chance to cancel or reset at stalemate. Only delete and reinstall. Pleas fix this issue

### 2/5 — Bug

*2025-04-10, version 1.0*

Games crashes on stalemate

## Frequently asked questions about Almost Chess

### What is Almost Chess?

Almost Chess is a free mobile game that offers a unique twist on the classic game of chess by starting each match with a randomized board layout. It's designed to test tactical thinking and adaptability rather than memorized patterns.

### Does Almost Chess have ads?

No, Almost Chess is ad-free, providing an uninterrupted gaming experience focused on pure chaotic chess fun.

### Can I play Almost Chess offline?

The description mentions a 'Single Player' mode against an AI and a 'Two Player' mode, suggesting offline play is possible for these modes. The 'Daily Challenge' might require an internet connection to fetch the new position.

### How does the ELO rating system work in Almost Chess?

Almost Chess features an ELO rating system, allowing players to climb the ranks in this unconventional version of chess. This system is designed to measure your skill level against other players or the AI.

### What devices does Almost Chess support?

Almost Chess is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, as indicated by its supported devices list.

### How often is Almost Chess updated?

The latest version of Almost Chess is 1.6.1, and it was last updated on April 14, 2026. This indicates a relatively recent update, suggesting ongoing support and development.

### What is the age rating for Almost Chess?

Almost Chess has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players.

### Is there a way to get hints in Almost Chess?

Yes, Almost Chess includes a 'Valid Move Highlights' feature, which helps players by showing them the legal moves available on the board.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.2 — 2026-07-23

What's new in 1.6.2

• Daily Challenge fixed: attempts now reset properly every day — no more getting stuck after a tough day
• Weekly Challenge: progress is saved correctly and resumes where you left off
• Your game is now auto-saved after every move — nothing lost if the app closes
• Smarter AI: it now understands pawn promotion and en passant
• Fixed pawn promotion wins not counting toward streaks and stats
• Many smaller fixes: undo, resigning, captured-pieces display, battery use

### 1.6.1 — 2026-04-14

Bug fixes
  — Resolved a critical bug where stalemating the AI (or getting stalemated) left the game frozen with no way to reset.
  — Pawns Only weekly challenge now lives up to its name — both ranks are pure pawns with the king.
  — Achievements unlocked mid-session now reflect immediately in the Achievements screen.
  — Slightly updated main menu UI

### 1.6 — 2026-04-07

What's New in 1.6.0

  New Game Modes
  - Gauntlet Mode - Survive consecutive games against increasingly tough AI
  opponents. One loss and you're out. How far can you go?
  - Weekly Challenge - A new board constraint every week. No Queens, Mirror Mode,
  Pawns Only, or Chaos. 3 attempts, same board for everyone.

  Board Constraints
  - Four new ways to play: No Queens, Mirror Mode, Pawns-Only Back Rank, and Chaos
  Mode - each creating a completely different game.

  Achievements
  - 32 achievements to unlock across campaign, board modes, gauntlet, daily
  challenges, and skill-based milestones.

  Challenge a Friend
  - Share any board with a friend using a challenge code. They play the same board,
  compare results.

  Quality of Life
  - New game over screen with clear results, stats, and ELO changes
  - Pawn promotion - choose Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight
  - Resign button for graceful exits
  - Exit confirmation so you don't lose a game by accident

### 1.5 — 2026-03-25

What's New in v1.5.0:

  • Everything is free now — all 12 board themes unlocked, unlimited undo, no ads, no purchases
  • Share your daily challenge results with friends (Wordle-style)
  • Animated game-over screens with smooth transitions
  • Floating ELO change indicator shows rating gain/loss after each game
  • En passant support
  • Smarter AI with human-like play style
  • Improved draw detection (stalemate + insufficient material)
  • Better move visibility — dot/ring indicators work across all themes
  • Fixed daily challenge tracking and streak counter
  • Fixed numerous bugs across ELO updates, game state, and UI

### 1.0 — 2025-02-02

No release notes.

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## More apps by hourafter

- [Exit Interview: Roguelike](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exit-interview-roguelike/id6761830159)

All apps by hourafter: https://appshunter.io/developer/1792872292

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-27.*