Really Bad Chess
com.noodlecake.reallybadchess
by Noodlecake
Screenshots
Ad slot: Top Leaderboard
About this app
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
------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
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
------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
What's New
Additional bug fixes
App Information
Version Name
1.4.12
Version Code
74
File Size
101.3 MB
Minimum OS
Android 6.0+
Target SDK
Android 33
Developer
Noodlecake
Contact
Website
Content Rating
Everyone
Package Name
com.noodlecake.reallybadchessPermissions Required
This app may request the following permissions:
Recent Reviews
Chris
4.0★
Excellent game, loads of fun, nice achievements, AI isn't top Stockfish but makes smart moves. I have a few reasons to deduct a star though. -I recently switched to a new phone, and while it seems like the purchased status may have switched over, it's missing many of my achievements and all of my move undos. -similarly, there's no way to import ranking. -I'd love to be able to premove, though this is a minor complaint.
A Google user
4.0★
welp, it's all I imagined it to be: random pieces placed on the border in the initial composition. but if you try to think ahead instead of just to your next or current move, you can succeed at beating the AI. All they need is an online mode so you can play with other players. A Facebook connection, maybe? ah well. What's here is good...for now. 4/5 stars.
Kyle Christiansen
1.0★
I've had this game for years. Always loved and have played every day. A long time ago I paid for ad-free. Now suddenly today I open the app and it tells me I need to sign up for play pass in order to continue ad-free and keep my "undo's"? It took away every undo I had and it won't let me watch an ad to get more, only purchase some. Screw that, this is theft! You took away something I already paid for, and are now asking me to join a subscription to get it again. Uninstalling, good riddance!!
A Google user
3.0★
I was very excited to try out this fun twist on a tried and true game... but it refuses to start! I tap it, it loads for a second or two, then closes out. I have a somewhat old device (Samsung Galaxy 7 I believe) but it should be able to run a game like really bad chess. I will try reinstalling it, and if it works I will certainly rate higher. Edit: I guess a late reply is better than none, but sorry anyways. First, I was completely wrong, the device I was using was a Samsung galaxy tablet 2, and now, all this time layer, I played the game! The gameplay is really great, and the controls work just fine, but something that really drags down the whole experience is how painfully slow the AI is. It just totally breaks the pace of an already pretty sluggish game, and i'd love to try it again if you fix this issue.
Seán O'Connor
1.0★
Brilliant idea, fun to play, makes you really pay attention to the board. Even paid for ad-free, which is rare for me. However as others have said, it randomly crashes, especially when I'm about to win a game - incredibly frustrating! Lost my daily streak to this as well as it used up my daily attempts. Crashed again just now as I was closing on the weekly board. Love this game please debug it! Will adjust review if fixed.
A Google user
2.0★
I love the concept and I enjoy the gameplay, though I wish it implemented the three-move rule for stalemates. But the ads. They really are worse than other mobile games. You very often can't close them even when there's a close button, instead you have to restart the app. I normally would be happy to pay the $3 -- I have for other Noodlecake games -- but this feels too much like hostage-taking. It's a shame.
Ad slot: In-Content