ArcaChess

Taking a piece is not enough: the capture opens an arena where both pieces fight in real time. Lose the duel, and it is YOUR piece that falls.

ArcaChess is an online chess game that keeps every rule of classic chess and changes only one moment: the capture. Instead of disappearing, both pieces are pulled into an arena and fight it out in real time, arcade-style. A piece's value becomes its strength — health points, speed, damage, spell.

Every capture plays out as a duel. The stronger piece gets the advantage, not the win. The remaining piece's health carries over to its next duel.

THE ARENA — THE HEART OF THE GAME

One piece attacks another, the board fades away, the duel begins. Two joysticks: move your piece, dodge projectiles, time your spell just right.

Every piece plays differently. The rook hits hard and can take more punishment than even the queen, but moves slowly. The knight is the fastest and fires two spears at once. The queen chains a triple spell, the king unleashes a devastating royal blaze. The pawn has only a single arrow and 80 health — it has to make up for it with dodging.

The attacker picks the terrain — side corridors, zigzag barricades, or scattered blocks. The setting changes everything.

And when only the two kings remain on the board, everything comes down to one final duel, with no advantage for either side.

ONLINE CHESS AND MULTIPLAYER

Real-time chess matches against players from around the world, ranked or casual. ELO rating, global leaderboard, friends list, private messaging, and quick in-match chat. Start a private match to play with a friend, join a guild or create your own, complete with its own chat room.

SOLO MODE

Three levels of AI to sharpen your openings and get comfortable in the arena before facing real opponents.

COLLECTION

81 unlockable looks: 43 piece styles, 24 boards, and 14 shot sounds. From 8-bit to stained glass, from circuit board to Roman mosaic. Plus 141 avatars for your profile.

PROGRESSION

Daily missions, unlockable achievements, daily rewards, and chests. Your level, stats, and collection are all tied to your account.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Whether you've played chess your whole life or never got past the basic rules, ArcaChess levels the playing field: a beginner with good aim can take down an experienced player. It's a chess game for people who find chess too slow, and an arcade game for people who find arcade games too shallow.

ArcaChess plays one-handed, in portrait mode, and a match fits in a coffee break. The game is free.

Download ArcaChess: the chess game where every capture is a battle.