Comparison

Chessanova vs Almost Chess

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

Head to head
About

Chessanova

Features
Read full description

Welcome to Chessanova! This app offers a minimalist, 2D chessboard made for a face-to-face gameplay between two players. It is designed to create an intuitive chess experience that feels like a true game with pieces, free from the distractions of settings, buttons, or typical app controls. Key Features: - Symmetrical Piece Design: The chess pieces are designed with point symmetry, making them identical from both players' perspectives. No need to rotate pieces or adjust viewing angles – focus purely on the game without distractions. - Intuitive Multi-Touch Control: Move pieces naturally across the board with simple touch gestures. You can drag and drop or tap-select and place pieces precisely where you want. This freedom allows players to replicate a true over-the-board chess experience. - Unrestricted Moves: Unlike typical digital chess games, this app doesn’t restrict moves to legal ones. You can experiment freely – throw pieces off the board, try out unique starting positions, or quickly set up positions to explain tactics to your opponent. With a double-tap, you have unlimited undo and redo at your fingertips (redo by holding an additional finger on the display). - Hidden Move-Based Variants: Chessanova introduces a unique twist to classic chess, allowing you to alter the game through hidden moves. Adjust the board size or add extra pieces seamlessly—no menus or buttons needed. Simply place specific pieces in distinct ways to unlock modifications that bring fresh challenges and force even experienced players to rethink their strategies. Add a whole new layer of variety with one of the following moves: White Pawn to White Rook: Doubles the rooks and expands the board by two columns White Pawn to White Knight: Doubles the knights and expands the board by two columns White Pawn to White Bishop: Doubles the bishops and expands the board by two columns White Rook to White Rook: Removes all rooks and reduces the board by two rows and two columns White Knight to White Knight: Removes all knights and reduces the board by two rows and two columns White Bishop to White Bishop: Removes all bishops and reduces the board by two rows and two columns White Pawn to White Queen: Randomly changes the color scheme King to King: Resets the game A Pure Chess Experience: No bots, settings, in-app purchases, or unnecessary sounds. Just you, your opponent, and the chessboard. Discover a fresh approach to chess with endless possibilities. Enjoy playing together!

About

Almost Chess

Experience chess with a randomized board layout, offering a fresh tactical challenge for all skill levels. Adapt to new puzzles daily and test your strategic thinking in this unpredictable version of the classic game.

Highlights
  • Randomized board layouts
  • Single player AI challenges
  • Two player local mode
  • Daily puzzling positions
  • Valid move highlighting
  • ELO rating system
Features
Read full description

ALMOST CHESS It's chess... but not quite as you remember it. Every game starts with a completely randomized board layout (except the kings, they're not completely lost). Whether you're a grandmaster or a beginner, everyone starts with the same advantage: pure confusion! Features: • Single Player: Challenge our AI that's learning to adapt just like you • Two Player: Share the chaos with a friend • Daily Challenge: A new puzzling position every day for everyone worldwide • Valid Move Highlights: We're not completely heartless • ELO Rating System: Climb the ranks in this bizarre version of chess Perfect for: • Chess players looking for a fresh challenge • Casual gamers who want the strategy without the memorization • Anyone who's ever thought "regular chess is too predictable" No opening theory. No memorized patterns. Just pure tactical thinking and adaptability. Can you master Almost Chess? Free to play. In single-player games, you can optionally watch a rewarded ad to earn an extra undo. The Remove Ads purchase unlocks unlimited undos and hides rewarded-ad prompts. Download now and discover how good you are at chess when nobody knows what they're doing!

Screenshots

Chessanova4 screens
Almost Chess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chessanova at none against Almost Chess's 1. Chessanova also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads 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. Almost Chess sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Chessanova asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 6 level
Chessanova versus Almost Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessanovaAlmost Chess
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews—33.3% of reviews
Update frequency—Monthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonas Fehrenberghourafter

In-app purchases

None

Chessanova

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Almost Chess

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is Chessanova free?
Chessanova is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Almost Chess free?
Almost Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chessanova or Almost Chess have ads?
Neither Chessanova nor Almost Chess shows ads.

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