# Really Bad Chess — user reviews > 609 indexed App Store user reviews of Really Bad Chess by Zach Gage, rated 3.80/5 from 1,632 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/really-bad-chess/id1109751921/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/really-bad-chess/id1109751921.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 860 · 4★ 226 · 3★ 147 · 2★ 97 · 1★ 302 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (12 of 609) ### 2/5 — Masters only *2026-08-14, version 1.7.0* You would think playing chess would be at least a little fun.? ### 3/5 — Im on iphone x *2026-06-18, version 1.6.1* Game doesnt open ### 3/5 — Funny game, lol *2026-05-11* Also the new patchwork for newer iphones made the game stop working on my VERY old iphone🙏(its an iphone 8) could you please fix it? Thanks ### 4/5 — really bad review *2026-04-22* hey zach gage! thank you for this game, i really enjoy it. there’s a problem last days. when i open the app it closes automatically after 2 or 3 sec. maybe you can fix it! i love really bad chess, a lot more interesting than usual chess ### 4/5 — Great Game (if you play the old version) *2026-04-09, version 1.6.1* I’ve been an avid player of this game for years, and have gotten lots of enjoyment from playing your game, Zach. You might have even seen me if you play the Weekly Challenge mode and check the leaderboards, (hi, I’m AmyRoseFan on the leaderboard!) and I’m making this as a PSA to anyone coming here because of the recent updates or for anyone who has not yet updated their game, and my message is simple: DO NOT UPDATE YOUR GAME. I play this game on an old iPhone 8 running a version of iOS that is beyond outdated, because I have paranoia about updating the iOS version and losing access to old apps I have because they’re no longer supported, and I found out the hard way that my version of iOS cannot run the newest version of this game at all. This is because that for all versions beyond 1.4.7, the version of iOS that I run is incompatible with this app. All it does is open and immediately crash. It’s a shame, because I wanted to try out the new game mode and see if I could finally hit rank 100 in ranked mode, (I’m at 96) but I guess I’ll have to do that when my current device bites the dust. If you have this issue as well, or you simply want to go back to the old version, look up a program called iMazing on your computer, set it up, hook up your device with it, and use the library tab in the “Manage Apps” option, found under Quick Actions once you’ve selected your device, and right click on the app to find the “Show Available Versions” option. Use that to roll back the game version to the version of your choice. Very useful program. This game is a ton of fun, and I will continue to enjoy it on the old version, but unfortunately, the newest versions are unplayable on old hardware. ### 2/5 — it won't load *2026-03-25, version 1.6.1* please help fix it ### 3/5 — Infinite loop - still not fixed after 4 years *2026-03-22, version 1.6.1* When playing the computer, it will occasionally enter an infinite loop of one or two moves where it is impossible to checkmate but can keep you in check. There needs to be a draw or restart in this situation else the computer will go forever. ### 2/5 — My favorite game. That deleted all my progress on update *2026-03-22, version 1.6.1* It’s a 5/5 game. I tell everyone that. But I paid for the advanced features but the new update deleted all of that and my progress and wants me to re purchase again. ### 3/5 — Can’t zoom out *2026-03-21, version 1.6* I literally can’t zoom out of the game to ensure I’m playing it ### 1/5 — Game ruined. *2026-03-21, version 1.6* I have played this game for years. I have like three games I play on my phone. I play it daily. I hate this update. The wholly unnatural movements of the pieces now ruin the game. I’m not asking to get rid of it but please make it a toggle option. ### 3/5 — Bugs in new version *2026-03-20, version 1.6* The new version (with knight hike etc) is unplayable on the iPhone 17 as there is something wrong with the screen size settings… you can’t see the entire board. ### 2/5 — Recent update screen scaling issues *2026-03-20, version 1.6* After the most recent app update the app is scaled incorrectly and I cannot see the edges of the board and the sides of the menu screen are cut off ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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? ### 1/5 — Has ads *2026-06-17, version 1.6.1* Has full screen interstitial ads. ### 1/5 — zack! *2026-06-10, version 1.6.1* zack make my game actually load ### 1/5 — Игра вылетает *2026-05-28* Айфон 7 plus захожу игра вылетает я обновила игру с интернетом все нормально но все равно вылетает ### 1/5 — Great but bad ads *2026-05-23, version 1.6.1* One of its ads is a scam beware says your acct has been restricted and tries to get you to click on a link ### 1/5 — Really Bad Ads *2026-05-07, version 1.6.1* Ads lately have been more scam-y than usual. I am deleting. ### 1/5 — App won’t open on iOS 15.8.7 *2026-04-03, version 1.6.1* I’ve been using this app for several years and I’ve enjoyed it. But ever since the recent update it will not open on my older iPads. It says it requires iOS 13 or later, but that is incorrect. Please fix the app so it works on the older devices! ### 1/5 — Fail *2026-03-25, version 1.6.1* First update in 4years or so, now the game closes instantly after opening. 🙁 ### 1/5 — New animation is terrible *2026-03-22, version 1.6.1* I don’t know why the developer felt like they needed to mess with the piece movement animation, but it sucks. Give us the option to turn off this horrible animation, it’s distracting. ### 1/5 — Layout gone haywire *2026-03-21, version 1.6* Played this daily but I think latest update is not iPhone 17 pro max compatible. Unplayable ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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 ### 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 ### 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! ### 5/5 — Really Great Game *2026-03-22, version 1.6.1* ! ### 5/5 — Latest update *2026-03-20, version 1.6* Hey guys, I don’t know what happened but the latest update changed my screen so I can’t play anymore! It’s like it’s zoomed in 20% and I can’t see the whole screen the way I should. I love the game and the concepts, but cannot use the app any more. Plessse help!! ### 5/5 — Failed update *2026-03-20* Please fix resolution ### 5/5 — Noice *2026-03-12, version 1.4.7* Very GOOD ♟ chess ♟ ### 5/5 — Really Great *2025-09-18, version 1.4.7* Really bad chess is really great chess. You get a board each day with random pieces. Sometimes it is fair but usually it will favor you or the computer. You must make the best of whatever you get. I feel like playing this has made me a better chess player. --- *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 2026-09-06.*