Chessplode vs Chess Crusade
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chessplode
This app offers a unique twist on chess where capturing a piece causes others in the same line and column to explode. It's designed to be fun and accessible, even for those who aren't skilled at traditional chess, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes.
- Exploding pieces on capture
- Real-time multiplayer battles
- User-created levels
- Local multiplayer mode
- AI opponent practice
- Customizable color themes
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Chessplode is modern chess for everyone, it makes chess fun even if you're bad ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, one simply move... can change all game. -- THE MODERN RULE -- Chessplode is pretty much like chess with a really BIG twist... - CAPTURE a piece and everything in the same LINE and COLUMN will EXPLODE... - But if a KING is in that LINE or COLUMN it will be a really *boring* chess capture (no explosions) -- THINK DIFF... *DISTINCT* -- This rule is pretty tricky, in regular chess you need to defend your KING, but in Chessplode it can save your pieces. Remember, you can't capture some pieces because you could get check. Sometimes you will checkmate capturing a piece that explodes. And other you will be afraid of having several pieces in the same line or column...(POP!) -- FRIENDS (Who love chess) REVIEW -- They find Chessplode a great challenge and love how they need to change the old way of thinking even if they are winning... a bad move and they will run out of pieces. -- FRIENDS (Who *meh* chess) REVIEW -- Chess + Explosions... you got my attention. Some of these friends were casual chess players and others didn't really feel the attraction for chess. Both find Chessplode a really fun game. When they were playing regular chess they were not good, now they are the kings of the hill. -- FEATURES -- * FREE TO PLAY * Realtime chess battles multiplayer with people around the world. * In multiplayer you can send an emoji (to express your feelings) with every move you submit. Instant fun! * Play Levels created for other players, you can find really madness here, but you can undo your move... everyone can make a mistake. * Create your own custom Level and submit it to everyone can play it. Challenge the world! * Try local multiplayer battles with friends in the same device. Head to head! * Practice playing versus Ziri. * A lot of different color themes, play day and night with your favourite colors. Thank you for playing "Chessplode"! I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it ;) Support: Are you having problems? http://twitter.com/juaxma http://twitter.com/chessplode hello@juan.ma Privacy Policy: http://juan.ma/chessplode/privacypolicy/ AppPreview Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/jazzy-frenchy © Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo / juan.ma
Chess Crusade
This game blends traditional chess with deck-building mechanics, introducing powerful fairy pieces and strategic upgrades. Build your battle deck, refine your strategy, and conquer colorful worlds in both casual and ranked matches.
- Fairy chess pieces
- Deck-building mechanics
- Strategic piece upgrades
- Ranked PvP and PvE modes
- Customizable worlds and avatars
- Spectate and learn from top players
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MEET CHESS CRUSADE It’s the game that’s easier than chess and harder than chess at the same time. It’s chess for the curious, and it’s a new challenge for the deck-builders. Wield powerful new character pieces like Nightrider, Archbishop, and Angel to attack or protect the king in stunningly colorful worlds. Checkmate is just the beginning. Even when one game ends, your strategy continues. Refine your deck, experiment with your opening line-up, plot your next character upgrade, redeem your rewards, and win your way to the nearly unstoppable Angel. The more you play, the more powerful you become. GAMEPLAY Gameplay starts with a few pieces; choose wisely or you won’t have long to live. With each turn you survive, earn more Material and spawn a strategic new piece from your battle complement. But watch out, the game can change in a single turn—who will your opponent spawn? If they’re saving their gold, you could get slapped with the Angel, and she’s anything but angelic. DECK-BUILDING Between games, build up your deck. Your deck has four card slots for Chess Crusade pieces—upgrade pawns to Rangers, sanctify your Archbishop, or run the brutal Rook Rush play. WARRIORS AND ROYALTY Chess Crusade springs from traditional chess—you’ll find the bishop, rook, knight, pawns and queen protecting the king. But in Chess Crusade, everyone in the kingdom has counterparts who are biggerbetterfaster. Ranger—Every pawn wishes he were a Ranger: the awesome hat, the damsels, and the freedom to move back and forth. Priest—The Priest sidles in the shadows, following in the bishop’s footsteps for a lower ante. Tower—He’s a rook in training. What he lacks in reach, he makes up for with his willing spirit. Princess—She’s delicate and beautiful, but she’ll send you straight to the gallows if you attack the throne. Nightrider—He’s in the king’s special forces, brave like a knight with sneak-attack range. Crusader—The Crusader is a battle machine. He’s all knight and all rook, balancing long-range straightlines with a hooked-L surprise. Archbishop—The Archbishop is holier and more corrupt, with a staggering 20-position reach. Angel—She’s terrifying. PACE Play ranked PvP games or casual PvE games at your speed; be a Sloth and sleep on your next play for 23 hours of the day, take the calculated approach in 15-minute rounds, or ratchet up the heat in turns once every minute. FRIENDS Crusade with friends or challenge foes from the global leaderboard. You can even spectate live games friends are playing or learn from the top players in the kingdom. WORLDS Earn beautiful new themes to frame your battles. From the lovely Queen’s Meadow to the fiery Lava Flows, you’re far away in an epic landscape plotting a sacrifice or the ultimate endgame. GEMS Customize your world with avatars, card pieces, and taunts (“Bean slouch!”) from the shoppe. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “It’s making me crazy. I cannot stop playing.” —JordyB “I’ve been playing chess for eight years and was skeptical a fun, new version could ever be created. I was wrong. It’s approachable, visually great, and addicting. I’ve played hundreds of games in just a few days.” - 04tuna “This game absolutely ruined me for regular chess. I can’t imagine playing now without Nightrider, Crusader, or Ranger.” - Rank13 “This game will resonate with people who already love chess but are open to new experiences.” - Whom’st
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Chess Crusade at none against Chessplode's shown. Chessplode's advantage is review sentiment (61% vs 50%) and ratings volume (545 vs 88). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Chessplode sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Chess Crusade sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Chessplode against 4.4 for Chess Crusade. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chessplode has 545 ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of Chessplode's written reviews are positive against 50% of Chess Crusade's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 2, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chessplode | Chess Crusade |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (545 ratings) — better | 4.4 (88 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 61.2% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 545 — better | 88 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 86 MB | 80 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo | Toast - Apps and Software LLC |
Customer experience
Chessplode
Chess Crusade
Bugs and requests
Chessplode
Reported bugs
4 issues- Won't open or get stuck on certain screens
- Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- Crashes and freezes, especially when AI is thinking
- AI issues with thinking and repeating moves
Requested features
9 requests- Add local multiplayer mode
- Add classic chess mode
- Add more basic puzzles
- Add ability to go back to previous levels
- Add option to remove explosions
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- Add Repetition end-condition
- Add Resign button
- Add themed boards
- Add online levels and multiplayer
Chess Crusade
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Chessplode
- +100 Undos$0.99
- Generous Tip$0.99
- Massive Tip$1.99
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- INFINITE UNDOS$1.99
- Amazing Tip$2.99
Chess Crusade
- Gem Pack 1$0.99
- Multi-Game Pass$0.99
- Username Change$2.99
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Gem Pack 2$4.99
- Gem Pack 3$14.99
- Gem Pack 4$49.99
- Gem Pack 5$99.99
Questions
Is Chessplode free?
Is Chess Crusade free?
Which has better reviews, Chessplode or Chess Crusade?
Do Chessplode or Chess Crusade have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chessplode or Chess Crusade?
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