# Checkmate or Die — Solve chess puzzles… or die

> Chess puzzle game with a zombie apocalypse survival theme. (iPhone/iPad app by Chess.com, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkmate-or-die/id1605177639 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chess.com, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/329218552)
- Category: Games, Puzzle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.74/5 from 46 App Store ratings · 42 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 204 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2022-02-16
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkmate-or-die/id1605177639/reviews.md

## What is Checkmate or Die?

Can you survive a chess-themed zombie apocalypse? Rule #1 isn't cardio - it's quick thinking! Solve chess puzzles by checkmating the Black King… or die!

Collect gold coins to spend on Revives, to escape when you're captured. Jump over obstacles to stay ahead of a horde of hungry undead. All while solving puzzles as fast as you can to finish the level... before the level finishes you.

## Key features

- Solve chess puzzles
- Checkmate the Black King
- Zombie apocalypse theme
- Collect gold coins
- Purchase revives
- Jump over obstacles

## Recent user reviews (10 of 42)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkmate-or-die/id1605177639/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Ok

*2024-05-12, version 1.011*

The graphic on the game brilliant, I like the zombies and the crunch and pulling apart as they eat you. The down side is the time you have to complete the puzzle, it’s to quick to physically see everything on the chess board. It would be better to start off slow with more time and get quicker in time to complete the puzzles as you go up levels.

### 3/5 — fix problem

*2024-04-13, version 1.011*

level 23 … won’t let you make 2nd move for mate

### 5/5 — Nice

*2023-01-28, version 1.011*

It helps me in chess as I like doing puzzles

### 3/5 — Puzzles

*2022-12-30, version 1.011*

Good concept, rough around the edges. If you want to improve at chess, just play Chess.com puzzles, not this. Kinda fun, 3/5.

### 3/5 — A good concept

*2022-11-18*

I love the concept of this game. It puts an interesting twist on chess puzzles by making them more engaging. I honestly was having a lot of fun playing this game during the early stages. It is once I get to around level 30 when I am solving mates in 3. There really is not enough time to analyze the position. There are just so many things that need calculated in such little time that is not very fun anymore. What I would is give players the opportunity to click an analyze button on screen when you start the level and then you can calculate the mate. Which also pause the zombies to make it fair.

### 1/5 — Really nice, fun idea/concept

*2022-10-30*

But it gets pretty monotonous after a while.  
Having the setting option to change the board style and pieces would be nice (different colors and pieces). Also, the fact that it all the problems have the same amount of time to solve doesn’t seem right.  Easier problems should have less time and more difficult problems should have more time.

### 4/5 — Fun quick-fire puzzles

*2022-10-17*

Before you start: change the board to a higher contrast setting. The default board, grey vs slightly darker grey, makes differentiating the pieces difficult.

### 1/5 — Cute but trash

*2022-10-14*

No introduction. Rules are simple. But it’s hard to see the pieces apart from each other. In the beginning you should be given more time. I played 10 puzzles before I ever noticed a coin. I still can’t figure out what I’m to jump over.

### 1/5 — Too easy

*2022-10-09*

Dear Creators,

This game is fun and has potential, but it has way too many mate in 1 levels.  Maybe make harder levels or create a daily challenge?

### 3/5 — Game mechanic needs work

*2022-10-06*

Assuming you want a fun way to learn how to scan the board quickly for mate options, the game falls down by not allowing you sufficient time to learn from failed attempts. Once you’re out of coins you’re stuck failing quickly over and over, but not gaining the knowledge you need to improve. Lots of comments talk about variants of this issue. Hopefully it’ll get fixed so it’ll be more enjoyable and worthwhile. So close.

## Frequently asked questions about Checkmate or Die

### What is this app about?

This app is a chess-themed puzzle game where players must solve chess puzzles by checkmating the Black King to survive a zombie apocalypse. It combines quick thinking with strategic chess moves to overcome challenges and escape the undead.

### How do I survive in the game?

Survival depends on your ability to solve chess puzzles quickly and efficiently. You can collect gold coins to purchase Revives, which help you escape when captured by the undead. Additionally, you'll need to jump over obstacles to stay ahead of the zombie horde.

### Is this app free to play?

Yes, the app is free to play. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, offering a complete experience without additional costs.

### What kind of puzzles will I encounter?

The puzzles are centered around chess strategy, specifically requiring you to achieve checkmate against the Black King. The game challenges your ability to think fast and apply chess tactics under pressure from the zombie threat.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.011 — 2022-10-07

* Player tutorial
* New & improved chess pieces
* Added 30 new levels - there are 50 total!
* Bug fixes and minor improvements
* Crush issue hotfix

### 1.0 — 2022-10-02

* Player tutorial
* New & improved chess pieces
* Added 30 new levels - there are 50 total!
* Bug fixes and minor improvements

### 0.4 — 2022-02-16

No release notes.

## More apps by Chess.com, LLC

- [Chess - Play & Learn Online](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-play-and-learn-online/id329218549)
- [chess24](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess24/id564777203)
- [Chess for Kids: Learn to Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-for-kids-learn-to-play/id629375826)
- [Play Magnus - Play Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-magnus-play-chess/id808138395)
- [Chess Clock by Chess.com](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-clock-by-chesscom/id858039162)
- [Magnus Trainer - Train Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magnus-trainer-train-chess/id1097863089)

All apps by Chess.com, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/329218552

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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 2026-06-10.*