Comparison

Really Bad Chess vs Champion Chess

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Really Bad Chess

This app reimagines chess with completely randomized pieces, offering a fresh strategic challenge. It's perfect for both seasoned players seeking a new puzzle and beginners looking to learn the fundamentals in a fun, accessible way.

Highlights
  • Randomized chess piece sets
  • AI opponent challenges
  • Ranked, Daily, and Weekly modes
  • Freeplay practice mode
  • Local multiplayer (with IAP)
  • Alternate color palettes (with IAP)
Features
Read full description

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

About

Champion Chess

Compete in virtual chess tournaments, progressing from local to international levels against diverse AI opponents. Prepare with practice games and aim to qualify for the ultimate Championship. Developed by Chess.com enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Progressive tournament structure
  • Multiple AI difficulty levels
  • Over 60 AI personalities
  • Practice game mode
  • Qualify for championship
Features
Read full description

Can you become the World Chess Champion? Find out as you join local, then regional, then international tournaments with virtual opponents on your way to the Championship! - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, and Master levels - Play with more than 60 different virtual AI personalities - Practice games let you prepare for the main event - Participate in bigger and bigger tournaments as you try to qualify for the championship Brought to you by the chess fans and developers of Chess.com! ----------------------------------------------------- Also available in the app: Unlimited Pass Enjoy all Champion Chess features - unlimited! $2.99/month ** TERMS & DETAILS ** Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The account will be charged the same amount for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. * Prices may vary by location. Terms of Use: https://www.chess.com/legal/user-agreement ----------------------------------------------------- ABOUT CHESS.COM Chess.com is built by chess players and enthusiasts who really love chess! Team: http://www.chess.com/about Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chess Twitter: http://twitter.com/chesscom YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/wwwchesscom TwitchTV: http://www.twitch.com/chess

Screenshots

Really Bad Chess4 screens
Champion Chess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Champion Chess at 4.6 against Really Bad Chess's 3.8. Champion Chess also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Really Bad Chess sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Champion Chess sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Champion Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 46% and 47% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, Champion Chess monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Really Bad Chess versus Champion Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReally Bad ChessChampion Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (1.6K ratings)4.6 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.3% of reviews47.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.6K — better1.5K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB504 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZach GageChess.com

Customer experience

Really Bad Chess

All ratings1,633 ratings
Positive66.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative24.4%
Written reviews611 reviews
Positive46.3%
Neutral16.4%
Negative37.3%

Champion Chess

All ratings1,498 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral4.9%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive47.3%
Neutral14.5%
Negative38.2%

User reviews

Really Bad Chess

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Champion Chess

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun game to play
  • 💡 Sophisticated enough to challenge amateur players
  • 🚀 Great graphics and animations

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches causing crashes or freezes
  • 🤔 Confusing piece identification, especially on crowded boards
  • 🤖 AI too strong, making it difficult to win
  • ⚠️ Frequent draws declared even when checkmate is possible

Bugs and requests

Really Bad Chess

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Pieces unable to move as per chess rules
  • Game freezes and crashes
  • Incorrect checkmate detection

Requested features

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

Champion Chess

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Rooks unable to move
  • Incorrect handling of pawn promotion
  • Crashes on launch for some users

Requested features

5 requests
  • 2D board view option
  • Move-by-move game replay
  • Ability to save game moves
  • Customizable music and sound levels
  • Easier way to reset board orientation

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Really Bad Chess

One-time2
  • 100 Undos$0.99
  • Full Game Unlock$3.99
1 purchases

Champion Chess

Subscriptions1
  • Unlimited Pass$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Really Bad Chess free?
Really Bad Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Champion Chess free?
Champion Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Really Bad Chess or Champion Chess?
Champion Chess is rated higher. Really Bad Chess averages 3.8 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Champion Chess averages 4.6 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Really Bad Chess or Champion Chess have ads?
Both Really Bad Chess and Champion Chess show ads.
Which is updated more often, Really Bad Chess or Champion Chess?
Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, and Champion Chess monthly. Most recently, Really Bad Chess was updated on October 23, 2026 and Champion Chess on October 29, 2026.

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