Comparison

Really Bad Chess vs GPT 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

GPT Chess

Engage in chess matches against advanced AI models like ChatGPT and Gemini. Choose between standard rules or a chaotic no-rule mode where AI instructions dictate gameplay. The app features conversational AI during play and offers multiple AI strength levels.

Highlights
  • Play against ChatGPT and Gemini AI
  • Standard chess rules mode
  • No-rule chess mode with AI instructions
  • Multiple AI strength levels
  • Conversational AI during gameplay
  • Minimalist design
Features
Read full description

Play Chess with ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT 3.5 or GPT 4) or GeminiPro (Google). There are two modes: (A) The standard mode, both you and the AI would follow the standard chess rule, so no illegal move! You can choose between: 1. The native ChatGPT4 API (weakest chess player); 2. Prompt improved GPT4 API (e.g. better chess player); 3. Enhanced backend chess calculation API call with GPT4 (i.e. strongest chess player). (B) The No-Rule chess mode.  In this mode, we strictly follow the instruction provided by ChatGPT AI to make the move. Enjoy a chaotic and hilarious chess game. Don't be surprise if AI makes illegal moves, captures its own piece, generates random pieces, and suicides. :) You can choose different LLM AI: 1. GPT 3.5 (OpenAI); 2. GPT 4 (OpenAI); 3. Gemini Pro from Google. A minimalist design, just start to play, that simple. Also, the ChatGPT will talk to you during the play! Come and see if you can beat the ChatGPT in chess! Link to standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: http://lwdevstudio.github.io/privacy-info.html

Screenshots

Really Bad Chess4 screens
GPT Chess3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: GPT Chess at none against Really Bad Chess's shown. GPT Chess also leads on rating (4.1 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). Really Bad Chess's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 16) and review sentiment (46% vs 33%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 GPT Chess sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GPT Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Really Bad Chess has 1.6K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Really Bad Chess's written reviews are positive against 33% of GPT Chess's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, GPT Chess every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Really Bad Chess versus GPT Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReally Bad ChessGPT Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (1.6K ratings)4.1 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.3% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K — better16
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB88 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZach GageFusionX Tech LLC

Customer experience

Really Bad Chess

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

GPT Chess

All ratings16 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

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

GPT Chess

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Really Bad Chess

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

GPT Chess

Subscriptions1
  • Unlimited APIs3 Days trial$1.991 Month

Questions

Is Really Bad Chess free?
Really Bad Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GPT Chess free?
GPT Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Really Bad Chess or GPT Chess?
GPT Chess is rated higher. Really Bad Chess averages 3.8 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while GPT Chess averages 4.1 from 16 ratings.
Do Really Bad Chess or GPT Chess have ads?
Really Bad Chess shows ads; GPT Chess does not.
Which is updated more often, Really Bad Chess or GPT Chess?
Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, and GPT Chess every 9 days. Most recently, Really Bad Chess was updated on September 23, 2026 and GPT Chess on August 31, 2026.

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