Chess has always been about strategy, patience, and foresight. But imagine adding spells, storylines, and a fantasy twist to the classic game. That’s exactly what AniChess offers.
It’s the first chess platform where the timeless board game blends with magical mechanics, the Web3 space, and competitive play.
Born from a partnership between Animoca Brands and Chess.com, AniChess is an ecosystem that mixes puzzles, tournaments, spells, and lore in a way that feels both innovative and accessible.
The Core Idea: Chess with Spells
At its heart, AniChess keeps the familiar 64-squared board and most of its traditional rules. But the twist is that you now have spells that can alter the course of a match.
These spells let you do things impossible in standard chess, like:
- Transforming a piece into another.
- Summoning new pawns in the middle of the board.
- Swapping your piece with an opponent’s.
- Moving a piece invisibly for a single turn.
- There is no check or checkmate. You win the game by directly capturing the opponent’s King.
This spell feature changes the way players approach strategy. Instead of only calculating natural moves, you also weigh the magical options at your disposal. It’s chess, but with a twist that keeps you guessing.
Examples of Spells in AniChess
There are 13 spells available in Anichess.
To understand the excitement, let’s look at some of the actual spells available in recent seasons:
Parkour Mech
You get to permanently turn one of your pieces (except king or queen) into a knight.
Imposter
With this spell, you swap one of your pieces with your opponent’s, as long as they’re the same type.
House Recruit
This spell allows you to create a pawn on the third to 6th rank. It helps to instantly strengthen your structure.
Bis-Hop 2.0
This spell allows your bishop to leap over a piece and capture the first piece it encounters.
Slip
The Slip spell allows you to move a pawn, knight, or rook diagonally to an adjacent square once during your turn. It steals one Mana from the opponent, but cannot be cast to capture a piece.
You get to unlock more spells as you progress in the game. All spells require mana, which you earn as you move pieces. Some spells are single-use, while others can permanently alter your position.
Different Ways to Play
AniChess offers several modes to suit your style. They include:
- Quick Match: Play casual, unranked games in Blitz, Rapid, or Classical format
- Ranked Match: Earn a competitive rating and climb the ladder once you’ve played a few casual games.
- Friend Match: Challenge your friends and customize the rules.
- Train with Bot: Practice against AI and test strategies before facing real opponents. It’s similar to playing Stockfish on regular chess apps.
This flexibility means AniChess works for both casual players who want quick fun and serious competitors who crave structure.
Seasons, Rewards, and Leaderboards
AniChess runs on a seasonal system, which keeps things fresh. Each season introduces new spells, missions, and tournaments.
Players earn points by competing in games, inviting friends, and completing tasks. These points can then be claimed on-chain and used to unlock rewards such as:
- Exclusive cosmetics.
- Ranking bonuses.
- M8 points: These are on-chain rewards that tie into AniChess’s Web3 economy.
This structure creates a loop: play, earn, and come back for the next season. It’s engaging, especially for players who enjoy climbing leaderboards.
The Web3 Backbone
Unlike regular chess platforms, AniChess integrates blockchain elements to make progression and rewards more transparent. Here’s how it works:
- M8 Points: This is the core reward system, stored on the Base blockchain.
- Genius Score: This is a reputation score that measures both your skill and activity.
- Checkmate Ecosystem: AniChess is part of a larger Web3 project where players co-own, compete, and interact across multiple games
This Web3 backbone doesn’t overcomplicate the game; you can play AniChess without worrying about crypto. But for those who want it, the option to connect wallets and earn rewards exists.
Storytelling and World-Building
One of AniChess’s most unique aspects is its lore. The game is set in a mystical universe called Mystra, filled with Divinities and powered by the Void.
This narrative adds depth beyond the board. AniChess even has a tie-in comic series called Checkmate Genesis, which builds out the world and characters.
From Puzzles to PvP
When AniChess first launched, it focused on puzzles. These daily challenges taught players how spells worked and introduced them to the mechanics.
Solving puzzles earned rewards called Orbs of Power, which could be exchanged for items.
Over time, AniChess expanded into PvP matches, giving players a chance to test spells against each other. With each season, the competitive side has grown stronger, blending puzzle-solving, strategy, and live play.
Getting Started
If you’re curious to try AniChess, the process is straightforward:
- Visit the AniChess website.
- Sign in using Google, Discord, X (Twitter), or connect a crypto wallet.
- Start with puzzles to learn spells, or jump straight into Quick Matches.
- No purchase is required; you can play free from day one.
This simple entry makes AniChess welcoming for both chess veterans and new players.
Why AniChess Works
So what makes AniChess stand out in today’s crowded chess space?
- Innovation: It takes a classic game and makes it feel fresh.
- Accessibility: You don’t need crypto knowledge to start.
- Engagement: Seasons, rewards, and spells keep players coming back.
- Immersion:The lore and storytelling give context to gameplay.
- Community: It is backed by Chess.com, one of the best chess websites. This partnership helps AniChess connect to large chess audiences.
AniChess feels like a step into the future of gaming, where tradition and innovation meet.
Final Thoughts
AniChess is more than just “chess with magic.” It’s a growing platform where strategy, creativity, and fantasy blend into one.
For players who love chess but crave something new, or players who are in the Web3 space, AniChess is worth exploring.