Reviews of Really Bad Chess

By: Zach Gage

List of user reviews and ratings for Really Bad Chess

Total ratings

3.80 (Rating count: 1,624)

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Review summary

Really Bad Chess is praised for its innovative daily-board concept and training value, with players noting skill improvements. However, recurring downsides include intrusive ads, compatibility and scaling issues on older devices, various bugs and AI quirks, potential loss of purchases after updates, and disruptive UI/animation changes. Overall sentiment centers on admiration for the concept and learning potential, tempered by persistent usability and stability problems.

Pros

Innovative daily/random-piece board that can teach and improve chess.
Fun, engaging gameplay with real training value that some players report improving their ELO.
Strong developer reputation and support, with praise like 'Absolute genius' and continued updates.
Good for beginners/intermediate players, offering teachable moments and practice.
Relaxing, accessible way to play chess and unwind.

Cons

Ads are excessive and intrusive, with complaints about frequent ads and paywall frustrations.
Compatibility and UI scaling problems after updates, especially on older devices (older iPhones/iPads) and screen sizing issues.
Bugs and AI behavior concerns, including pieces disappearing, endless loops, stalemate issues, and lag in ranked mode.
Progress and paid features can reset or require repurchase after updates.
UI changes/animations are distracting and users request a toggle option for animations.

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 2.40

All time rating average: 3.80

Upgrade to see all 51 reviews

41% (21)

Date	Author	Comment
2026-05-07	ve*****	Ads lately have been more scam-y than usual. I am deleting.
Ads lately have been more scam-y than usual. I am deleting.
2026-04-09	Am*****	I’ve been an avid player of this game for years, and have gotten lots of enjoyment from playing your game, Zach. You might have even seen me if you play the Weekly Challenge mode and check the leaderboards, (hi, I’m AmyRoseFan on the leaderboard!) and I’m making this as a PSA to anyone coming here because of the recent updates or for anyone who has not yet updated their game, and my message is simple: DO NOT UPDATE YOUR GAME. I play this game on an old iPhone 8 running a version of iOS that is beyond outdated, because I have paranoia about updating the iOS version and losing access to old apps I have because they’re no longer supported, and I found out the hard way that my version of iOS cannot run the newest version of this game at all. This is because that for all versions beyond 1.4.7, the version of iOS that I run is incompatible with this app. All it does is open and immediately crash. It’s a shame, because I wanted to try out the new game mode and see if I could finally hit rank 100 in ranked mode, (I’m at 96) but I guess I’ll have to do that when my current device bites the dust. If you have this issue as well, or you simply want to go back to the old version, look up a program called iMazing on your computer, set it up, hook up your device with it, and use the library tab in the “Manage Apps” option, found under Quick Actions once you’ve selected your device, and right click on the app to find the “Show Available Versions” option. Use that to roll back the game version to the version of your choice. Very useful program. This game is a ton of fun, and I will continue to enjoy it on the old version, but unfortunately, the newest versions are unplayable on old hardware.
I’ve been an avid player of this game for years, and have gotten lots of enjoyment from playing your game, Zach. You might have even seen me if you play the Weekly Challenge mode and check the leaderboards, (hi, I’m AmyRoseFan on the leaderboard!) and I’m making this as a PSA to anyone coming here because of the recent updates or for anyone who has not yet updated their game, and my message is simple: DO NOT UPDATE YOUR GAME. I play this game on an old iPhone 8 running a version of iOS that is beyond outdated, because I have paranoia about updating the iOS version and losing access to old apps I have because they’re no longer supported, and I found out the hard way that my version of iOS cannot run the newest version of this game at all. This is because that for all versions beyond 1.4.7, the version of iOS that I run is incompatible with this app. All it does is open and immediately crash. It’s a shame, because I wanted to try out the new game mode and see if I could finally hit rank 100 in ranked mode, (I’m at 96) but I guess I’ll have to do that when my current device bites the dust. If you have this issue as well, or you simply want to go back to the old version, look up a program called iMazing on your computer, set it up, hook up your device with it, and use the library tab in the “Manage Apps” option, found under Quick Actions once you’ve selected your device, and right click on the app to find the “Show Available Versions” option. Use that to roll back the game version to the version of your choice. Very useful program. This game is a ton of fun, and I will continue to enjoy it on the old version, but unfortunately, the newest versions are unplayable on old hardware.
2026-04-03	vi*****	I’ve been using this app for several years and I’ve enjoyed it. But ever since the recent update it will not open on my older iPads. It says it requires iOS 13 or later, but that is incorrect. Please fix the app so it works on the older devices!
I’ve been using this app for several years and I’ve enjoyed it. But ever since the recent update it will not open on my older iPads. It says it requires iOS 13 or later, but that is incorrect. Please fix the app so it works on the older devices!
2026-03-22	di*****	I don’t know why the developer felt like they needed to mess with the piece movement animation, but it sucks. Give us the option to turn off this horrible animation, it’s distracting.
I don’t know why the developer felt like they needed to mess with the piece movement animation, but it sucks. Give us the option to turn off this horrible animation, it’s distracting.
2026-03-22	Pa*****	When playing the computer, it will occasionally enter an infinite loop of one or two moves where it is impossible to checkmate but can keep you in check. There needs to be a draw or restart in this situation else the computer will go forever.
When playing the computer, it will occasionally enter an infinite loop of one or two moves where it is impossible to checkmate but can keep you in check. There needs to be a draw or restart in this situation else the computer will go forever.
2026-03-22	G *****	!
!
2026-03-22	pu*****	It’s a 5/5 game. I tell everyone that. But I paid for the advanced features but the new update deleted all of that and my progress and wants me to re purchase again.
It’s a 5/5 game. I tell everyone that. But I paid for the advanced features but the new update deleted all of that and my progress and wants me to re purchase again.
2026-03-21	Ma*****	I literally can’t zoom out of the game to ensure I’m playing it
I literally can’t zoom out of the game to ensure I’m playing it
2026-03-21	Am*****	I have played this game for years. I have like three games I play on my phone. I play it daily. I hate this update. The wholly unnatural movements of the pieces now ruin the game. I’m not asking to get rid of it but please make it a toggle option.
I have played this game for years. I have like three games I play on my phone. I play it daily. I hate this update. The wholly unnatural movements of the pieces now ruin the game. I’m not asking to get rid of it but please make it a toggle option.
2026-03-20	Th*****	The new version (with knight hike etc) is unplayable on the iPhone 17 as there is something wrong with the screen size settings… you can’t see the entire board.
The new version (with knight hike etc) is unplayable on the iPhone 17 as there is something wrong with the screen size settings… you can’t see the entire board.