# Gambit/chess — Chess by invite, no sign-up > Noir-styled chess game for quick, account-free play with friends or AI. (iPhone/iPad app by heather sherry.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gambitchess/id6796327412 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [heather sherry](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896039847) - Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Strategy - Price: Free - Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 14 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-08-07 - Data updated: 2026-08-27 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gambitchess/id6796327412/reviews.md ## What is Gambit/chess? a moody, noir-styled chess game built for two people who just want to play — not create accounts, remember passwords, or manage a clock. Start a game and send a short private invite code through Messages or any share sheet. Your friend taps it and you're both at the board in seconds. No email, no password, no friction. Want a handle instead? Claim a personal @handle with a live free-or-taken check as you type — still no sign-in form, ever. Beginners are genuinely welcome here. Tap any piece to see every legal move, captures marked differently, and the king glows the moment it's in check. Illegal moves are refused gently, never with a lecture. No friend online right now? Run a quick match against anyone, or practice against the app at one of three strengths that genuinely differ. Gentle wanders and leaves pieces hanging. Steady punishes obvious mistakes but misses deeper tricks. Sharp plays the strongest move it can find — and hides the legal-move dots entirely, so you read the board yourself. There are no hints anywhere in Gambit. Every game is won on your own judgment. Every rule is here: castling, en passant, promotion, check, checkmate, stalemate, repetition, and insufficient material. Follow the action in a live move list with classic notation and step-back review. Offer a draw, resign, or start a rematch with colours flipped. Left mid-game? Gambit remembers exactly where you were, even after losing signal, so you can pick the position back up whenever you're ready. Your first three games are free — no card and no sign-up. Spend them however you like, practice or against a friend. After that, Gambit Club unlocks unlimited games for $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. A board you have already started always stays playable. Gambit Club is an auto-renewing subscription that continues until you cancel it in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ No clocks. No puzzles. No ratings. No spectators. Just an atmospheric, confident board and the people you choose to sit down at it with. Download Gambit and send your first invite code tonight. ## Key features - Account-free play - Private invite codes - AI practice modes - Legal move indicators - Full chess rules support - Auto-save and resume games - Subscription for unlimited play ## Frequently asked questions about Gambit/chess ### How do I start a game in Gambit? You can start a game by tapping 'Start a game' and then sending a private invite code via Messages or any share sheet. Your friend taps the code to join you at the board instantly, with no sign-up required. ### Can I play Gambit without an internet connection? Yes, Gambit allows you to practice against the app at three different strengths, which can be done offline. Games started with friends can also be resumed even after losing signal. ### What are the different AI strengths in Gambit? Gambit offers three AI strengths: Gentle, which makes basic mistakes; Steady, which punishes obvious errors but misses deeper tactics; and Sharp, which plays the strongest move and hides legal-move indicators. ### How does the Gambit Club subscription work? Gambit Club unlocks unlimited games for $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. It is an auto-renewing subscription that can be canceled at any time through your Apple Account settings. ### Does Gambit have ads? No, Gambit does not contain advertisements. The game is free to play for the first three games, after which a subscription is required for unlimited play. ### What age rating is Gambit suitable for? Gambit is rated for ages 12 and up. This rating suggests it is suitable for most players, with content generally considered appropriate for pre-teens and older. ### How often is Gambit updated? The latest version of Gambit is 1.0.3, last updated on August 16, 2026. While this is the most recent information available, typical update frequency for similar apps can vary. ### What devices does Gambit support? Gambit is supported on both iPhone and iPad devices. This ensures a consistent experience for users across Apple's mobile and tablet platforms. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.0.5 — 2026-08-22 fixed bugs with subscription plans ### 1.0.4 — 2026-08-19 Gambit Club arrives. Three free games to start, then unlimited play for $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year — the yearly plan shows its saving against the monthly rate, and restoring on a new device is one tap. The move list is now a proper study tool. On iPad it stays open in a brass-rimmed rail beside the board; on iPhone it slides up from the Moves button. Tap any move to jump the board to that position, step back and forward, or copy the whole game as text. Review the moves now works straight from the result card, and a Result button brings the card back whenever you want it. Steadier online games: moves no longer stall out on a quiet connection. Three practice levels that genuinely differ — Gentle wanders and leaves pieces hanging, Steady punishes obvious mistakes, Sharp plays the best move it can find and hides the legal-move dots entirely. No hints anywhere. Every win is earned. ### 1.0.3 — 2026-08-16 Gambit Club is here. Your first three games are free — practice or against a friend — and the entry screen counts them down with three brass pips. After that, a membership unlocks unlimited games. A board you have already started always stays playable. Hints are gone. Every game is now won on your own judgment, and the Sharp opponent hides the legal-move dots entirely so you read the board yourself. The three practice opponents finally feel like different people: Gentle wanders and leaves pieces hanging, Steady punishes obvious mistakes, Sharp plays the strongest move it can find. Also in this update: a bigger, thumb-friendly board with a piece that lifts clear of your fingertip, ivory pawns that are plainly ivory, and steadier online games that no longer drop a move on a long match. ### 1.0.1 — 2026-08-08 fixed bugs where not every chess piece moved on demand and made the levels more challenging for better user experience ### 1.0.0 — 2026-08-07 No release notes. ## More apps by heather sherry - [Pilates reformer: Home Workout](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pilates-reformer-home-workout/id6769813537) - [Brush Buddies Rewards](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brush-buddies-rewards/id6769905361) - [Smile Ritual:brushing timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-ritualbrushing-timer/id6770630192) - [Learn Vietnamese:speak&Study](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-vietnamesespeak-and-study/id6770979248) - [Project Site Photos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/project-site-photos/id6771776968) - [Frenchie Buddy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frenchie-buddy/id6775585097) All apps by heather sherry: https://appshunter.io/developer/1896039847 ## Related topics [queen gambit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/queen-gambit) · [kings gambit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kings-gambit) --- *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 2026-08-27.*