# Halfchess - play chess faster — 5 min half-chess games > Fast-paced, half-board chess variant with AI practice and unique rules. (iPhone/iPad app by naval saini.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/halfchess-play-chess-faster/id1182813218 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [naval saini](https://appshunter.io/developer/1014367289) - Category: Games, Education, Board, Strategy - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.53/5 from 17 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.0 · 38 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2017-01-05 - Data updated: 2026-06-28 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/halfchess-play-chess-faster/id1182813218/reviews.md ## What is Halfchess? ― Got busy? Yet love to play chess! halfChess is for you -- played on half the board (easy fit on your phone) and lasts only 5 min (quick fun). It unique features are:- ● New! 2-player games and a community ● 100+ stages to practice against AI on a smaller board ● Blind mode pieces disappear after 3 moves Please feel free to reach out with any improvement requests or ideas. ― Deliberate Practice for End Games 150 stages of varying difficulty levels so you can practice valuable end game skills such as deep thinking, fast-thinking, pushing opponent pieces, and reducing their attach area. ― Improve Focus and Memory Playing blind chess will help you sharpen memory and focusing skills. In "blind mode", the chess pieces disappear after a few moves (as in the screenshot). It is not very difficult to play HalfChess in blind mode, because the pieces are shown once in every 5 moves. ― New rules to the age-old Chess Chess has transformed for over a millennium, and yet new variants are developed every day. HalfChess variation has two new rules changes. 1. You stalemate your opponent, and you win (Not a draw) 2. No castling ― Notable achievements HalfChess has reached till the 12th position at Pioneer.app global startup competition. We have also received media coverage from YourStory.com. Website - https://halfchess.com Support - flipflopapps@gmail.com Twitter Me - @navalsaini ## Key features - 5-minute games - Half-board gameplay - AI practice stages - Blind mode for memory training - New rules: stalemate win, no castling - 2-player community games ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Unlock Full Version | $4.99 | one-time | | Limited Version | $0.99 | one-time | | Annual subscription | $2.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 10) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/halfchess-play-chess-faster/id1182813218/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Good game! *2022-02-21* It is surprisingly good to play chess with smaller boards. The opponent is good but not so good that you never win. It is a good challenge. If you are not big into chess like me its a nicer way to play because if you make a dumb mistake you can try again. ### 3/5 — Plz plz look into it .. *2021-10-05, version 7.2.0* Hey naval I love this game of half chess .. But am having a problem see am playing this game from iPhone SE old one .. okay .. and after playing the game with AI in single player mode I can’t see that “ready player one” notification button and I can’t restart the game not I çan go into to an other menu .. I mean the whole interface to choose with red button is not visible on the screen which you put in a RED button .. below the quotes it displayed .. that button is absent on my scree and all iPhone SE.. so please rectify it .. I’ll be thankful if you did that .. I discovered this game of chess when me and my friend were playing .. and were bored with the regular format .. then .. I searched if there is an app on this idea .. interestingly there was and it was yours ,. So please rectify this flaw I’ll be thankful my friend.. if send me an email I show you the screenshot to explain the issue .. and I hope .. I hope .. I really wish you solve it man .. as an independent programmer that you are I believe .. you would .. I hope you listen to your app users .. thakx again for having this game on line .. wishing you to respond.. ### 5/5 — Super fun and quick *2020-11-06* Awesome app 👏 ### 5/5 — Great game... fast and fun *2020-03-04, version 4.5.2* Fast. Fun. Fabulous is how I will describe this game. ### 5/5 — Insane Experience in Chess Board *2020-01-02, version 3.7.3* I got new style of chess and really good for mind exercise 👍 ### 5/5 — So much fun and instructive!! *2019-11-30* I have been using this hidden gem since it first came out a couple of years ago. I would have called it “Progressive Chess”, because it gives a beginner player the opportunity to start practicing the basic moves and progressively solve more complex situations. This is all done with a simpler 5x8 chess board, so moves are easier to visualize and analyze. The new “crab” figure is optional, so classic chess players can still learn and practice classic chess. The fun is endless and can easily become addictive, just as full-sized chess can! ### 5/5 — Solid mental workout! *2019-02-05, version 2.3.2* Playing a full board chess can take some time. But this game makes it super quick to exercise my mind and compete with other players in a 5 min-game! ### 5/5 — Highly innovative *2018-11-02, version 2.0.0* Nice initiative ### 4/5 — Enjoyable and quick *2018-05-17* I love chess, but almost never have time to play a full game. This little app fills a huge hole. It has much of the character of chess, but you can play it on a tiny fraction of the time. It would be five stars if it gave you the option to set the level of play and select the pieces to use. ### 4/5 — Simply I enjoy... *2018-05-16, version 1.9.1* Goood short game. Really I enjoy but have a one suggestion that computer has make same step particularly observed in first stage. ## Frequently asked questions about Halfchess ### What are the main rule changes in Halfchess? Halfchess introduces two new rules: you win by stalemating your opponent (instead of a draw), and castling is not allowed. These changes aim to speed up gameplay and alter strategic considerations. ### Can I play Halfchess offline? The description highlights practicing against AI on over 100 stages and playing blind mode, suggesting these modes are available offline. However, the new 2-player community games would require an internet connection. ### How does Halfchess help improve my chess skills? Halfchess offers 150 end-game practice stages designed to improve deep and fast thinking, piece maneuvering, and defensive positioning. The blind mode also enhances memory and focus. ### Does Halfchess have ads? Yes, Halfchess contains advertisements. As a free game with in-app purchases, ads are used to support its continued development and availability. ### What devices is Halfchess available on? Halfchess is supported on iPhone and iPod devices. It is designed to fit easily on your phone screen due to its smaller board size. ### How often is Halfchess updated? The latest version, 8.0.0, was released on May 25, 2022. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, this indicates active development and improvements. ### What is the age rating for Halfchess? Halfchess has an age rating of 4+. This suggests it is suitable for a wide range of players, including younger audiences interested in chess. ### What are the benefits of playing blind mode in Halfchess? Playing blind mode in Halfchess helps sharpen your memory and focusing skills. Pieces disappear after a few moves, requiring players to visualize the board and anticipate future positions. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 8.0.0 — 2022-05-25 We are introducing 2-player mode and a community. We are also removing "Teacher mode", intended as a means to teach chess rules by playing. ### 7.3.1 — 2021-11-01 - We improved the Teach mode stages and made some UX improvements. - We fixed a bug related to drag and drop in teach mode. ### 7.3.0 — 2021-11-01 We improved some teach mode stages and some UX improvements. ### 7.2.0 — 2021-08-22 NEW! Teacher mode helps you teach chess to anyone young or old. Teach chess to your kid, friend or partner while playing games with them on Halfchess. You can do this in a cafe or on the move. Learning by playing is fun and a bonding experience between two players. ### 7.0.1 — 2021-08-14 NEW! Teacher mode helps you teach chess to anyone young or old. Teach chess to your kid, friend or partner while playing games with them on the Halfchess app. You can do this in a cafe or on the move. Learning by playing is fun and a bonding experience between two players. ## Apps similar to Halfchess | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Strategies Vol.1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strategies-vol1/id1545125840) | — | $24.99 | Games | | [FuriBisha - Shogi Strategy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/furibisha-shogi-strategy/id1003712460) | — | Free | Games | | [Chess!!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess/id547012000) | 3.9 (59) | Free | Games | | [Senet Deluxe](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/senet-deluxe/id285831220) | 2.7 (7) | $2.99 | Games | | [Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chess-with-dr-wolf/id1353041020) | 4.8 (26,340) | Free | Games | --- *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 2026-06-28.*