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About Anichess
Anichess is a free chess game featuring spells, created by Animoca Brands in collaboration with Chess.com. Pieces follow standard chess rules for movement and capture. Players select spells before each game and use mana to cast them as the match unfolds. The documentation lists Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Sopiko Giri, Dina Belenkaya, David Howell and Sam Sevian as ambassadors. You can play at the official site.
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How to play Anichess
Pick 1 spell for Lite play or 3 for Classic mode at game start. You build 1 mana per turn with a cap of 8, and each spell has a mana price and a per-game cast cap. Fifteen spells are documented. Shot in the Dark hides a piece for a turn and, post-April 2026 rebalance, can hit the queen for 6 mana. Tactical Necessity trades one of your pieces for a weaker enemy piece and grants 4 mana back. Queen Time grants a knight, bishop or rook one move using queen rules.
Since spells can obscure or take pieces, the game skips check, checkmate and stalemate. Victory comes from taking the king—called Kingslay in the game.
Modes and ranking
Quick Match carries no rating. Ranked Match applies Glicko2 and opens after 5 Quick Matches. Friend Match is invitation-only, and Train with Bot has four levels from Beginner to Master. Ranks span from Pawn (0–1099) to Legend (2000+). Seasons bring weekly contests, and the events page lists dates, payouts and fees.
$CHECK, M8 and staking
Log in via Chess.com, Facebook, Gmail, Discord or X to get a non-custodial wallet made for you, or link your own MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet or similar. Play 15 Standard games per week to earn M8 points, your pass into Checkmate Arena, where you can win $CHECK. $CHECK has a max supply of 1,000,000,000 and is presented in its litepaper as the Strategy Token for the Checkmate world. Stake $CHECK to earn M8 via two pools: one for early players and Ethernal owners, one open to all. The documentation also outlines Checkmate Reign, a 50-million $CHECK payout program spread over 24 months for stakers.
Season 10 and the Base move
Season 10, titled Ascension, launched on 8 September 2026. Sixty-four players compete in seasonal playoffs for a 100,000 $CHECK share, and the fresh eight-player Masters League plays round-robin for that same pool. Gambit Series matches require a $CHECK entry fee, with 8% taken as commission. In August 2026 the squad shifted M8 from Abstract to Base at a 100-to-1 swap rate, closing the window on 7 September, and carried cosmetics and spell unlocks along.
Anichess is a chess variant featuring spells, made by Animoca Brands alongside Chess.com. Pieces follow regular moves, you earn 1 mana per turn capped at 8, and spend it on 1 or 3 pre-selected spells. This creates a quicker, more tactical match without check or mate, so classic endgame instincts won't transfer.The…
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Anichess is a chess variant featuring spells, made by Animoca Brands alongside Chess.com. Pieces follow regular moves, you earn 1 mana per turn capped at 8, and spend it on 1 or 3 pre-selected spells. This creates a quicker, more tactical match without check or mate, so classic endgame instincts won't transfer.
The game is free and social login builds your wallet. Chess play itself doesn't require $CHECK. The token appears in contests like Gambit Series, where bouts need $CHECK entries with 8% fees, and in staking and prizes, so those pieces shift with the token. Payouts and event terms vary season by season.
As of November 2026 the game is live: Season 10 kicked off in September 2026 with a Halloween event on 29 October 2026. It suits chess fans wanting to test spell variants in a browser. Prospective stakers should verify current pool rules first, since docs still reference Abstract staking while the team has said M8 is moving to Base.
What we checked and when
- Status
- Live The game was online and active when we last checked it.
- Last checked
Gameplay Breakdown & Analysis
Independent assessment by eGamers game testing guild
- Play free with automatic wallet setup through social login
- Spell costs and turn limits introduce pacing choices to classic chess play
- Fast, ranked, buddy and AI modes using Glicko2 ratings and weekly season contests
- Made by Animoca Brands with Chess.com, backed by pros like Magnus Carlsen
- Season 10 playoffs split 100,000 $CHECK, with the eight-player Masters League competing for the same prize
- Missing check and checkmate means endgames deviate from classic rules
- Fifteen spells with costs and limits require study, plus they shifted in April 2026
- Gambit Series entries need $CHECK and cost 8% in fees
- Prize pools and stake returns swing with the token price and shift between seasons
- Docs and the Base shift reference different blockchains, so verify current staking rules first
Funding & Backers
Player Reviews & Scores
Real reviews from verified blockchain wallet gamers
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Latest News & Updates
CryptoAbu Dhabi’s FSRA grants Animoca Brands permission to run collective investment funds
Blockchain GamesAnichess opens Blunderhollow, a Halloween island of rigged chess boards, until 24 November
Blockchain GamesAnichess Opens OG Staking Pool to the Public as It Shifts From Abstract to Base
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I begin playing Anichess?
Visit anichess.com and log in with Chess.com, Facebook, Gmail, Discord or X, or link your wallet. Begin with Tutorial, move to a Standard bout or drill against the AI. It costs nothing.
Do I need a crypto wallet to play Anichess?
You don't need a wallet to begin. Social entry makes one for you, or you can link MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rabby or another. That wallet holds tokens for staking and Gambit bets.
Can you earn real money in Anichess?
The game awards $CHECK like Season 10 playoffs and Checkmate Arena raffles. Payouts hinge on your rank, the contest and token cost, with no guarantees, and Gambit entries can vanish.
Is Anichess still running?
Yes. As of November 2026 Season 10 is live, announced on 8 September 2026, with a Halloween event on 29 October 2026. M8 migrated from Abstract to Base in late August and September 2026.
Is Anichess worth playing?
It appeals to chess fans wanting to test spell rules free online. Classic players may struggle with missing checks and mates, and token features expose you to price swings.