Really Bad Chess
Board
1 Million+ installs
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- CategoryBoard
- PlatformAndroid
- DeveloperNoodlecake
- In-app PurchasesYes
- Installs1 Million+
- Updated2025-11-27
- Size101 M
- Version1.4.18
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Editor's Review
Really Bad Chess is a board game from Noodlecake. In the developer's own words: "Really Bad Chess is just like chess, but with totally random pieces." It has passed 1 Million+ installs, and users rate it 4.1 out of 5 across 44.6K ratings. The latest version (1.4.18) was released on 2025-11-27. Good to know: it offers optional in-app purchases and needs about 101 MB of storage.
How To Play?
Install Really Bad Chess from Google Play and open it
Go through the opening tutorial to learn the controls
Learn the rules in a practice match before playing against others
Check the settings to adjust sound, graphics and notifications
Keep the game updated to get the latest content and fixes
Google Play
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
------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.
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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. -zachScreenshots
4.1
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