# Chessplode — Checkmate even if you're bad

> Chess variant with exploding pieces upon capture. (iPhone/iPad app by Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo](https://appshunter.io/developer/391953849)
- Category: Games, Education, Board, Family
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 545 App Store ratings · 67 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 86 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), Italian, European Portuguese, European Spanish
- Released: 2019-08-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-15
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052/reviews.md

## What is Chessplode?

Chessplode is modern chess for everyone, it makes chess fun even if you're bad ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, one simply move... can change all game.

-- THE MODERN RULE --
Chessplode is pretty much like chess with a really BIG twist... 
- CAPTURE a piece and everything in the same LINE and COLUMN will EXPLODE... 
- But if a KING is in that LINE or COLUMN it will be a really *boring* chess capture (no explosions)

-- THINK DIFF... *DISTINCT* --
This rule is pretty tricky, in regular chess you need to defend your KING, but in Chessplode it can save your pieces.
Remember, you can't capture some pieces because you could get check.
Sometimes you will checkmate capturing a piece that explodes.
And other you will be afraid of having several pieces in the same line or column...(POP!)

-- FRIENDS (Who love chess) REVIEW --
They find Chessplode a great challenge and love how they need to change the old way of thinking even if they are winning... a bad move and they will run out of pieces.

-- FRIENDS (Who *meh* chess) REVIEW --
Chess + Explosions... you got my attention. Some of these friends were casual chess players and others didn't really feel the attraction for chess. Both find Chessplode a really fun game. When they were playing regular chess they were not good, now they are the kings of the hill.

-- FEATURES --
* FREE TO PLAY
* Realtime chess battles multiplayer with people around the world.
* In multiplayer you can send an emoji (to express your feelings) with every move you submit. Instant fun!
* Play Levels created for other players, you can find really madness here, but you can undo your move... everyone can make a mistake.
* Create your own custom Level and submit it to everyone can play it. Challenge the world!
* Try local multiplayer battles with friends in the same device. Head to head!
* Practice playing versus Ziri.
* A lot of different color themes, play day and night with your favourite colors.

Thank you for playing "Chessplode"! I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it ;)

Support:
Are you having problems?
http://twitter.com/juaxma
http://twitter.com/chessplode
hello@juan.ma

Privacy Policy:
http://juan.ma/chessplode/privacypolicy/

AppPreview Music:
https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/jazzy-frenchy

© Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo / juan.ma

## Key features

- Exploding pieces on capture
- Real-time multiplayer battles
- User-created levels
- Local multiplayer mode
- AI opponent practice
- Customizable color themes

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| +100 Undos | $0.99 | one-time |
| Amazing Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Massive Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| INFINITE UNDOS | $1.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Chessplode?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Quick gameplay
- 👍 Beautiful and fun game
- 👍 Fantastic and great fun twist on chess
- 👍 Lovely little game
- 👍 Chess with a new challenge
- 👍 Interesting variation of chess

**Cons**

- 🐛 Won't open or get stuck
- 🐛 Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 AI issues with thinking and repeating moves
- 🐛 Overly difficult, even at easy levels

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Won't open or get stuck on certain screens
- Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- Crashes and freezes, especially when AI is thinking
- AI issues with thinking and repeating moves

**Most requested features**

- Add local multiplayer mode
- Add classic chess mode
- Add more basic puzzles
- Add ability to go back to previous levels
- Add option to remove explosions
- Add Repetition end-condition
- Add Resign button
- Add themed boards
- Add online levels and multiplayer

## Recent user reviews (10 of 67)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Jeu créatif

*2025-10-14, version 2.3.1*

Si vous en avez assez des échecs classiques, essayez ceci

### 5/5 — Kreativ

*2025-08-25, version 2.3.1*

Interessante Interpretation des Schachspiels

### 5/5 — Perfect quick gameplay

*2024-09-05, version 2.3.1*

Want to game for a minute or an hour? This is one of those rare, perfect gaming apps that appeals to both. No ads, simple gameplay, effortless to pick up and play a few levels.

### 5/5 — Beautiful game

*2022-07-25, version 2.1*

I love it. It’s so simple yet it has such a fun feature. Thank you

### 5/5 — Fantastic

*2022-06-11, version 2.1*

Just the game I didn’t realize I needed to be playing.

### 1/5 — Won’t open

*2022-04-07, version 2.1*

GetsStuck on the screen where it asked are you an expert chess player: yes or no. Yes or no buttons are half off the screen. And you cannot press them so the game is just stuck.

### 5/5 — Fantastic fun!

*2021-05-22, version 2.0.1*

Great fun twist on chess! Recommended!

### 5/5 — 😎

*2021-05-03, version 2.0.1*

It’s amazing app

### 5/5 — Loved it (update)

*2021-04-28, version 2.0.1*

It’s like lichess atomic chess but way more different. Def a strange game

### 4/5 — Great however...

*2021-04-25, version 2.0*

Sometimes your not put in check when you should be like when my king is next to an enemy rook or then I’ll put the king in check with a rook and have a knight protect it and the king will take it anyways despite that putting it in check? Idk other than that it’s pretty fun

## Frequently asked questions about Chessplode

### What is Chessplode?

Chessplode is a modern chess variant where capturing a piece causes all other pieces in the same row and column to explode. This adds a unique strategic layer, making the game fun and accessible even for players who are not skilled at traditional chess.

### What are the key features of Chessplode?

Key features include a novel 'exploding pieces' mechanic, real-time multiplayer battles with players worldwide, the ability to play and create custom levels, local multiplayer for playing with friends on the same device, and practicing against an AI opponent named Ziri. It also offers customizable color themes.

### Is Chessplode free to play?

Yes, Chessplode is free to play. However, it does offer in-app purchases and may display advertisements, which are common monetization strategies for free mobile games.

### How does the exploding mechanic work in Chessplode?

When you capture an opponent's piece, all other pieces in the same horizontal and vertical line will explode and be removed from the board. The exception is if a King is in the line or column of the capture; in this case, it's a standard capture with no explosions.

### Who is Chessplode designed for?

This app is designed for a broad audience, including chess enthusiasts looking for a new challenge and individuals who find traditional chess intimidating. Its unique rules and fun gameplay make it appealing to both casual players and those who are 'meh' about chess.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.1 — 2024-08-15

- Fixes an issue where some players when creating a user
- Other improvements and fixes

### 2.2 — 2024-02-09

- Better performance
- Other fixes

### 2.1 — 2022-02-03

- Add a button to delete games with more than 48 hours inactive.
- Improved performance.
- Correction of small errors.

### 2.0.4 — 2021-07-29

- Fixes an issue with Multiplayer Matches (Thanks Eduardo)

### 2.0.3 — 2021-07-28

- Fixes an issue with Multiplayer Matches (Thanks Eduardo)
- Fixes an issue that caused Checkmate in situations where it was just Checkmate (Thanks Avery, Edouard and Enrico)
- Fixed an issue that would freeze the game while the AI was thinking about the next move (Thanks Nicolas)

## Apps similar to Chessplode

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Chess.com - Play and Learn](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesscom-play-and-learn/id329218549) | 4.8 (803,346) | Free | Games |
| [Chess ∙](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess/id311395856) | 4.5 (204,953) | Free | Games |
| [Chess for Kids: Learn to Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-for-kids-learn-to-play/id629375826) | 4.7 (99,420) | Free | Games |
| [SocialChess • Online Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/socialchess-online-chess/id442239737) | 4.7 (7,168) | Free | Games |
| [™ Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess/id1115318362) | 4.5 (10,299) | Free | Games |
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## More apps by Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo

- [Clima - Beautifully simple](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clima-beautifully-simple/id893902568)
- [DueLito](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duelito/id1021943305)
- [Chesspert](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesspert/id1476772746)
- [Brainito - Words vs Numbers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainito-words-vs-numbers/id1495996933)
- [Numito](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numito/id1569146063)

All apps by Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo: https://appshunter.io/developer/391953849

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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 2026-08-15.*