Comparison

Really Bad Chess vs Puzzlechemy

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

Puzzlechemy

Features
Read full description

Discover the magic of alchemy in this captivating match-3 puzzle game! COMBINE ELEMENTS, SOLVE PUZZLES Swap and match alchemical elements — Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Aether, and more — to create powerful reactions. Clear the board, unlock special gems, and progress through hundreds of hand-crafted levels. SPECIAL GEMS & BOOSTERS • Line Gems — clear entire rows or columns • Bomb Gems — explode in a blast radius • Rainbow Gems — match any element • Hammer Boost — smash any tile • Philosopher's Stone — transmute elements • Vial — flood the board with a chosen element BEAUTIFUL THEMES Customize your board with stunning alchemical themes: Classic Lab, Golden Forge, Mystic Night, and more. Each theme transforms every tile, background, and visual effect. DAILY CHALLENGES & WORLD MAP Fresh puzzles every day with special rewards. Explore the world map and unlock new regions as you master the art of alchemy. GAME CENTER Compete on global leaderboards and earn achievements as you progress through your alchemical journey. FREE TO PLAY Enjoy the full game for free. Optional coin packs available to speed up your progress — no energy timers, no forced ads. Can you become the greatest alchemist the world has ever known?

Screenshots

Really Bad Chess4 screens
Puzzlechemy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Puzzlechemy at every 2 days against Really Bad Chess's every 3 weeks. Really Bad Chess's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 Puzzlechemy sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, Puzzlechemy every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Really Bad Chess versus Puzzlechemy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReally Bad ChessPuzzlechemy
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (1.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews46.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB164 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZach GageTOMASZ WOJCIECH SZREMSKI

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

Puzzlechemy

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
4 purchases

Puzzlechemy

One-time4
  • 350 Coins$0.99
  • 800 Coins$1.99
  • 2000 Coins$4.99
Show 1 more
  • 5500 Coins$9.99

Questions

Is Really Bad Chess free?
Really Bad Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Puzzlechemy free?
Puzzlechemy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Really Bad Chess or Puzzlechemy have ads?
Both Really Bad Chess and Puzzlechemy show ads.
Which is updated more often, Really Bad Chess or Puzzlechemy?
Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, and Puzzlechemy every 2 days. Most recently, Really Bad Chess was updated on October 17, 2026 and Puzzlechemy on October 1, 2026.

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