# Zulu Chess - Umlabalaba > Strategic board game focused on token capture and defense, enhancing mental skills. (iPhone/iPad app by Pubbly LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zulu-chess-umlabalaba/id979130357 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Pubbly LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1660074874) - Category: Games - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 181 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2021-12-15 - Data updated: 2026-07-04 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zulu-chess-umlabalaba/id979130357/reviews.md ## What is Zulu Chess? To be victorious in Zulu Chess, one must be cunning and skilled in positioning and moving their tokens (known as cows) to capture an opponent’s tokens while defending against counterattacks. To achieve this, each player must devise a strategy, respond to their opponent’s moves, and, like in international chess, anticipate several moves ahead. Moreover, playing the game regularly helps develop essential mental skills—such as memory, foresight, hindsight, strategy, planning, calculation, and prediction—which are invaluable for solving real-world challenges. This game is as easy to learn as tic-tac-toe, but with far greater complexity, it requires concentration and extensive practice to defeat a skilled opponent. As the saying goes, “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” With time, even a novice can develop the skills of a master herdsman. Playing Umlabalaba engages players of all ages, stimulating dormant mental processes and sharpening the mind. a much greater complexity, requires concentration and extensive practice to be victorious over a competent opponent. Great oaks from little acorns grow, and in time, even a novice player can acquire the skills of a master herdsman. Playing the game of umlabalaba will enable players of all ages to activate dormant mental processes and sharpen the mind. ## Key features - Strategic token positioning - Capture opponent's tokens - Develops mental skills - Easy to learn, complex gameplay - Suitable for all ages - Enhances foresight and planning ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Handful of coins | $0.99 | one-time | | Pile of coins | $1.99 | one-time | | Bag of coins | $2.99 | one-time | | Sack of coins | $3.99 | one-time | | Cart of coins | $4.99 | one-time | | Hut of coins | $5.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zulu-chess-umlabalaba/id979130357/reviews.md ### 5/5 — This is the best game I’ve ever played. *2025-01-26* I love 12 Man Morris, I love the cows. I love the “EESH.” Add customizable pieces, I want to be a sheep. Also add a cougar sound effect. Thanks. ## Frequently asked questions about Zulu Chess ### What is Zulu Chess? Zulu Chess, also known as Umlabalaba, is a strategic board game where players move tokens to capture opponents' pieces. It's designed to enhance mental skills like memory, foresight, and planning. ### Is Zulu Chess free to play? Yes, Zulu Chess is available for free. It also offers in-app purchases, though the core game is accessible without cost. ### What devices support Zulu Chess? Zulu Chess is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, making it accessible to a wide range of Apple users. ### What is the age rating for Zulu Chess? Zulu Chess has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for children and adults alike. ### How often is Zulu Chess updated? The latest version of Zulu Chess is 1.3.8, with the last update on February 27, 2025. This indicates regular maintenance and potential feature additions. ### Does Zulu Chess have ads? No, Zulu Chess does not contain advertisements, providing an uninterrupted gaming experience. ### What mental skills does Zulu Chess help develop? Playing Zulu Chess helps develop memory, foresight, hindsight, strategy, planning, calculation, and prediction skills, which are beneficial for real-world problem-solving. ### How does Zulu Chess compare to tic-tac-toe? While Zulu Chess is as easy to learn as tic-tac-toe, it offers significantly greater complexity, requiring concentration and practice to master. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.3.8 — 2025-02-27 Bug fixes and improvements ### 1.1.205 — 2024-03-06 Bug fixes and improvements ### 1.0.4 — 2022-08-30 Bug fixes and improvements ### 1.0.3 — 2022-07-29 Various bug fixes and improvements ### 1.0.2 — 2021-12-16 Minor bug fixes and improvements ## Apps similar to Zulu Chess | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Morabaraba Trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/morabaraba-trainer/id6476521641) | — | Free | Games | | [Cowboy Mills](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cowboy-mills/id1544127357) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Games | | [Nine Mens Morris](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nine-mens-morris/id1080176892) | 1.0 (2) | Free | Games | | [Morabaraba - 12 Men's Morris](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/morabaraba-12-mens-morris/id6474539953) | — | Free | Games | | [Muhle and Mills](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muhle-and-mills/id396607391) | 3.6 (25) | Free | Games | | [Morabaraba \| Mlabalaba](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/morabaraba-mlabalaba/id6755340234) | — | Free | Games | ## More apps by Pubbly LLC - [Pubbly Player](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pubbly-player/id1660074872) All apps by Pubbly LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1660074874 --- *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 2026-07-04.*