# Dark Squares — Chess with weapons and magic > Chess with weapons and magic, win by king capture. (iPhone/iPad app by Avi Kremer.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark-squares/id6773081437 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Avi Kremer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896394329) - Category: Games, Board, Strategy - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 75 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-07-23 - Data updated: 2026-08-30 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark-squares/id6773081437/reviews.md ## What is Dark Squares? This is not the chess you know. Dark Squares is chess, unhinged: every piece can wield a weapon. All the strategy of chess, none of its mercy. FREEZE the knight charging at you. TELEPORT your queen across the board. BLIGHT the enemy ranks and watch them wither. ASCEND a humble pawn into royalty. And when the path is open — take the king. HOW IT PLAYS • Real chess at the core: every classic move works, every classic plan matters. • Weapons change everything: arm a loadout of spells before each battle and cast them at the perfect moment. • Win by capture: no checkmate formalities — the game ends when a king falls. MODES • Play a Friend: challenge friends directly to friendly duels — and earn XP while you're at it. • Play vs Computer: three difficulty levels, and yes — the computer casts weapons too. • Open arena: bring your full loadout against anyone online. • Normalized arena: a fair, ranked duel — both players draft from the same weapon pool, so skill alone decides it. PROGRESSION • Earn XP in every online game — win or lose. • Unlock new weapons and upgrade them to higher tiers as you climb the ladder. • Build your Armory and craft the loadout that fits your style. DARK SQUARES PRO • An optional subscription ($4.99/month, auto-renews) that instantly adds four more weapon families — Aegis, Silence, Blight and Oracle. • Pro is variety, never raw power — free weapons stay fully competitive. Dark Squares is young and evolving — your feedback shapes what comes next. Every piece, a weapon. Every move, a gambit. Welcome to Dark Squares. Privacy Policy: https://darksquares.web.app/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Real chess mechanics - Weapon and spell loadouts - King capture victory condition - Play friends online - Play against AI - Ranked online duels - Unlock and upgrade weapons ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Dark Squares Pro | $4.99 | per month | ## Frequently asked questions about Dark Squares ### What is Dark Squares? Dark Squares is a strategic board game that reimagines chess by allowing each piece to wield weapons and spells. The core gameplay adheres to classic chess rules, but victory is achieved by capturing the king, not through checkmate. ### How does Dark Squares differ from traditional chess? In Dark Squares, players can equip a loadout of spells and weapons before each battle, which can be cast during the game to influence the board. This adds a layer of magical combat and unique strategic possibilities beyond standard chess moves. ### What game modes are available in Dark Squares? Dark Squares offers several modes: 'Play a Friend' for direct challenges, 'Play vs Computer' with three difficulty levels, 'Open Arena' for unconstrained online duels, and 'Normalized Arena' for fair, ranked matches where both players use the same weapon pool. ### How does progression work in Dark Squares? Players earn XP in every online game, win or lose, to unlock new weapons and upgrade them to higher tiers. This allows for the creation of a personalized 'Armory' and loadouts tailored to individual playstyles. ### What is Dark Squares Pro? Dark Squares Pro is an optional subscription service priced at $4.99 per month. It instantly unlocks four additional weapon families: Aegis, Silence, Blight, and Oracle, offering more variety without providing a direct power advantage over free weapons. ### Does Dark Squares have ads? No, Dark Squares does not contain advertisements. The game is free to play and offers an optional subscription for additional content. ### What devices is Dark Squares available on? Dark Squares is currently supported on iPhone and iPod devices, with a release date of July 23, 2026. ### What is the age rating for Dark Squares? Dark Squares has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players. ## Version history (last 4 releases) ### 1.0.3 — 2026-08-21 A grand new welcome: • A four-page opening tale for new players — the First Law, the Armory, and the friend you're destined to defeat. • The Armory now glows on the home screen until a new knight pays their first visit. • Training Grounds: the wizard now teaches the Spell Log — the ledger of every spell cast, so nothing ever hits you unexplained. • Small fixes and polish. ### 1.0.2 — 2026-08-14 The wizard has been busy: • A far stronger computer opponent — it calculates deeper, defends its king, and punishes blunders on every difficulty. • Two weapon families freed: Sanctuary and Blitz now unlock for everyone on the XP ladder. • New first lesson — The First Law: there is no check here; a king taken is a game won. • Your king now glows crimson when in danger — the only warning you'll get. • Training Grounds polish: progress checkmarks, better pacing, and a course invitation for newcomers. • Warned before entering battle unarmed, plus many fixes (Android back navigation, name changes syncing to friends, and more). ### 1.0.1 — 2026-07-24 • Your new weapons now appear the moment you subscribe to Pro — no need to leave and re-enter the Arsenal. • Small fixes and polish. ### 1.0 — 2026-07-23 No release notes. --- *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 2026-08-30.*