# Really Bad Chess — Chess minus memorization

> Chess with random pieces, offering a new strategic challenge for all skill levels. (iPhone/iPad app by Zach Gage.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/really-bad-chess/id1109751921 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Zach Gage](https://appshunter.io/developer/294263418)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Puzzle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 1,632 App Store ratings · 609 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 125 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-10-13
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/really-bad-chess/id1109751921/reviews.md

## What is Really Bad Chess?

Really Bad Chess is just like chess, but with totally random pieces. Try 8 Knights, 4 Bishops, and 3 pawns — why not?

As heard on NPR's Weekend Edition

5 out of 5 Stars "An essential puzzle experience for anyone even remotely interested in strategy games" - TouchArcade

Whether you play chess daily, or quit just after learning the rules, this small twist will open the door to an entire new world of chess.

------WHATS IN THE “BOX”?
The free version of Really Bad Chess lets you compete vs. an AI in Ranked, Daily, or Weekly Challenges. Improve your skills using the included Freeplay mode. A single in-app purchase unlocks Versus Mode so you can compete against your friends locally! It also removes ads, displays captured pieces, and adds soothing alternate color-palettes to choose from.

------REALLY BAD PRESS

"Makes chess fun even if you’re really bad" - The Verge

"Feels more modern than chess has ever felt" - Applenapps

"Really Bad Chess takes a really bad idea and somehow manages to make it a lot of fun." - Pocket Gamer

"Really good fun" - MacLife

------A WORD FROM THE DEVELOPER	
Chess is one of those games I always wished I enjoyed, but its commitment to beauty, elegance, and perfect balance always turned me away. Really Bad Chess removes these boring restrictions and flips chess on its head.

As much as random pieces change the game in some ways, I was really surprised to notice how much the game remains the same, and how powerful some pieces are — you've never truly struggled against a pawn until you've struggled against a pawn in the back row.

For chess pros, Really Bad Chess will give you a new type of challenge — the pieces & the moves are the same, but you'll have to throw out your openings and your understanding of normal patterns of play. 

For novice chess players (like most of us), Really Bad Chess greatly opens up the game. Instead of starting by studying openings, in your first games you'll get to discover the joy (and challenge!) of learning how to checkmate.

I hope you have as much fun with Really Bad Chess as much as I did making it.

-zach

## Key features

- Randomized chess piece sets
- AI opponent challenges
- Ranked, Daily, and Weekly modes
- Freeplay practice mode
- Local multiplayer (with IAP)
- Alternate color palettes (with IAP)

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Undos | $0.99 | one-time |
| Full Game Unlock | $3.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Really Bad Chess?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 🤔 Unique and innovative concept
- 👍 Challenging and engaging
- ⭐ Great way to learn chess

**Cons**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 🕰️ Slow AI response times
- 💰 Paywalls for essential features
- 📺 Intrusive and excessive ads
- 🔁 Repetitive AI moves leading to stalemates

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Pieces unable to move as per chess rules
- Game freezes and crashes
- Incorrect checkmate detection

**Most requested features**

- Add draw conditions and stalemate rules
- Implement online/multiplayer mode
- Provide more difficulty settings
- Allow custom piece arrangements
- Sync progress across devices

## Recent user reviews (10 of 609)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/really-bad-chess/id1109751921/reviews.md

### 5/5 — amazing game

*2026-08-22*

games’s truly unique, happily bought paid version to support the dev. i recommend this to everyone who likes chess

### 1/5 — Update

*2026-08-19, version 1.7.0*

Latest update has ruined the game. Can’t win in some modes as the game just doesn’t register a win. 

Next is AI can move a piece that’s blocking a line of sight check and can put me into check. How does that even work?

### 2/5 — Masters only

*2026-08-14, version 1.7.0*

You would think playing chess would be at least a little fun.?

### 5/5 — Mini Bug!

*2026-08-13, version 1.7.0*

Great game. First day playing the Mini and found a bug. Computer moved their knight to place me in check. Problem is, that knight was pinned by my queen and shouldn’t have been able to move. I took a screenshot but so no way to share.

### 5/5 — Really Great Game

*2026-08-12, version 1.7.0*

!

### 5/5 — Addictive

*2026-07-11, version 1.6.1*

Lots of fun

### 3/5 — Im on iphone x

*2026-06-18, version 1.6.1*

Game doesnt open

### 1/5 — Has ads

*2026-06-17, version 1.6.1*

Has full screen interstitial ads.

### 1/5 — zack!

*2026-06-10*

zack make my game actually load

### 5/5 — Best $1 I’ve ever spent in my life

*2026-06-02, version 1.6.1*

Incredibly fun. I’ve been playing for a full decade now. And just in the past few years he dropped an amazing new game mode out of nowhere for free!

## Frequently asked questions about Really Bad Chess

### What is Really Bad Chess?

Really Bad Chess is a unique take on the classic game of chess where each game features a completely random assortment of pieces. This twist removes the need for memorization and opens up a new world of strategic possibilities for players of all levels.

### What are the key features of Really Bad Chess?

The app offers randomized chess piece sets for a fresh challenge, AI opponents in various modes like Ranked, Daily, and Weekly Challenges, and a Freeplay mode for practice. A single in-app purchase unlocks local Versus Mode, removes ads, displays captured pieces, and adds alternate color palettes.

### How much does Really Bad Chess cost?

The core game is free to play, allowing you to compete against an AI in different challenge modes and practice in Freeplay. To unlock local Versus Mode, remove ads, and access additional cosmetic features, a single in-app purchase is available.

### Who is this app for?

This app is designed for anyone interested in strategy games. Chess pros will find a new type of challenge that forces them to abandon traditional openings, while novice players can discover the joy of checkmating without the initial burden of memorizing complex strategies.

### Can I play with friends?

Yes, you can play with friends locally by unlocking the Versus Mode through a single in-app purchase. This feature allows you to challenge friends on the same device, offering a fun head-to-head experience with the randomized piece sets.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.7.1 — 2026-08-30

Bug fixes for when a piece that should not have been able to move in mini mode moved (whoops!).

This happened in the rare situation where you played some, quit, loaded back in, and then someone castled.
Thanks for the reports!

### 1.7.0 — 2026-08-11

Another whole new mode: Mini boards! Comes in Daily, Ranked, Freeplay, and 1v1 flavors. We've been playing minis a lot and we hope you love them.

Also:
- New leaderboard display.
- Option to turn off “Smooth Move” for pieces
- Menu updates. (“More” sub-menu, Daily and Weekly menu pawns now turn green when completed, etc.)

### 1.6.1 — 2026-03-21

Two bug fixes to the new update:

- Game should now display properly on iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- Splash screen graphic restored.

### 1.6 — 2026-03-19

Our first of several major updates for Really Bad Chess!

- Knight Hike: A brand new puzzle where you must move a knight to eliminate squares.
- Prestige mode for ranked mode: after you get to rank 100, you can prestige. Compete on leaderboards for "Most prestiges", "Fastest prestige" and "Fewest games to prestige"
- Additional piece styles
- Tons of bug fixes.

### 1.4.7 — 2022-03-03

bug fixes

## Apps similar to Really Bad Chess

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| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Chess.com - Play and Learn](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesscom-play-and-learn/id329218549) | 4.8 (814,816) | Free | Games |
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| [SocialChess • Online Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/socialchess-online-chess/id442239737) | 4.7 (7,168) | Free | Games |
| [Chess for Kids: Learn to Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-for-kids-learn-to-play/id629375826) | 4.7 (100,046) | Free | Games |
| [Chess:](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess/id378161776) | 4.7 (1,530) | Free | Games |
| [Chess without ads](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-without-ads/id522314512) | 4.7 (38,324) | Free | Games |

## More apps by Zach Gage

- [Pocket Run Pool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-run-pool/id949982914)
- [Sage Solitaire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sage-solitaire/id1004646445)
- [Typeshift](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/typeshift/id1084762137)
- [SpellTower Français](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spelltower-francais/id1160360982)
- [SpellTower Nederlands](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spelltower-nederlands/id1160360990)

All apps by Zach Gage: https://appshunter.io/developer/294263418

## Related topics

[really bad chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/really-bad-chess) · [4d chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/4d-chess) · [5d chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/5d-chess) · [zach gage](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/zach-gage) · [pawnbarian](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pawnbarian) · [daily chess puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/daily-chess-puzzles) · [really](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/really)

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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 2026-09-01.*