Really Bad Chess
Zach Gage Games iPhoneiPadiPod touch
Really Bad Chess is a free Games app for iPhone and iPad by Zach Gage. Rated 3.8/5 from 1,633 ratings. Requires iOS 15.0. Updated September 10, 2026.
- Rating
- 3.8
- 1.6K ratings
- Price
- Free
- on the App Store
- Size
- 125 MB
- Age 4+
- Updated
- Sep 10
- 2026 · v1.7.2
Screenshots
About Really Bad Chess
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
Ratings & reviews
3.8
1.6K ratings
What’s new
Version 1.7.2 · Updated September 10, 2026
fixes for inappropriate movement in the mini-boards
App privacy
The developer, Zach Gage, reported these privacy practices to Apple.
Data Not Linked to You
The following data, which may be collected but is not linked to your identity, may be used for the following purposes:
- Identifiers: Device ID, User ID
- Usage Data: Product Interaction, Advertising Data, Other Usage Data
- Diagnostics: Performance Data, Crash Data
Used for: Third-Party Advertising, App Functionality
Alternatives to Really Bad Chess
Looking for apps like Really Bad Chess? Here are 6 similar apps on the App Store. The highest rated is SmallFish Chess for Stockfish (4.8/5), and 5 of the 6 are free to download.
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The Ouroboros King
3.8
-
Chess Tactics Pro (Puzzles)
4.7
-
Pocket Chess
4.6
-
SmallFish Chess for Stockfish
4.8
-
Chess without ads
4.7
-
Dicey Elementalist
4.7
| App | Rating | Price | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Really Bad Chess | 3.8 / 5 (1,633 ratings) | Free | September 10, 2026 |
| The Ouroboros King | 3.8 / 5 (62) | Free | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Chess Tactics Pro (Puzzles) | 4.7 / 5 (3,699) | Free | Jun 11, 2026 |
| Pocket Chess | 4.6 / 5 (14,665) | Free | Oct 24, 2025 |
| SmallFish Chess for Stockfish | 4.8 / 5 (4,505) | 4.99 USD | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Chess without ads | 4.7 / 5 (38,458) | Free | Aug 30, 2026 |
| Dicey Elementalist | 4.7 / 5 (5,064) | Free | Sep 10, 2025 |