title image

Minimalistic and speedy

Ratings

Age

4+

Category

Board

Languages

English

Mini Chess On Watch is a thoughtfully designed mobile game that blends accessible mechanics with steadily increasing challenge. Players place and manipulate objects to influence in-game elements, solve levels, and progress through curated stages. The experience favors experimentation and polish, with simple controls and satisfying feedback.
Screenshot
screenshot 0screenshot 1screenshot 2screenshot 3screenshot 4screenshot 5screenshot 6screenshot 7screenshot 8screenshot 9
Ratings & Reviews
Annoying !!
Mon Aug 10 2020 Cierraseals

At first it was a great, challenging way to spend time. However, I soon noticed it would glitch and i wouldn’t be able to make specific moves that would otherwise tip the game in my advantage. For example, my bishop wouldn’t move in a certain diagonal direction when it should, or my pawn wouldn’t move forward into an empty space. It’s incredibly annoying. It also frequently freezes and I end up having to delete the app and redownload for it to work again.

AI issues
Sun Sep 13 2020 Gary Rabinovich

Though the game is great at the start and deserves 5 stars, by a week later I can continually beat the game by performing the same 8 moves. At the start I thought the AI was reacting to my moves based on previous moves and at least somewhat looking forward. Instead the AI reacts to all moves the same way. This is how I realized the 8 moves that will always lead to a checkmate. 1) (W) Queen Pawn move forward (B) reacts with Bishop Pawn takes Queen Pawn 2) (W) Knight to Queen Pawn’s starting square (B) reacts with Rook Pawn forward 3) (W) King Pawn takes pawn (B) reacts with King Pawn takes pawn 4) (W) Bishop Pawn takes pawn (B) Knight Threatens Queen 5) (W) Knight Pawn takes Knight (B) Queen Pawn takes pawn 5) (W) Queen put King in check (B) King moves in front of Queen 6) (W) Knight puts King in check (B) Queen takes Knight 7) (W) Queen moves up in line with King (B) Checkmate If you want I can send you a video. Please make AI somewhat smarter and get 5 stars from me. (Edit) I didn’t know that there was an expert level. I have now set it to expert to see what happens. I added a star now that I know this. I tried Intermediate and can beat the game using the same combination of moves. I will now move on to expert. I finally won in Expert mode. If you’re willing to sacrifice important pieces you can in fact win. 5 stars. Ok Expert is tougher.

Difficult gameplay
Tue Dec 06 2022 marcintosh

One of two things happen when I play this game. 1) I lose. Even the Novice setting is difficult with so little room to move around and only one of each back row piece. 2) It locks up. I’ve been stuck many times with every move I try being illegal. I’ll keep playing and update my review if it gets any better, but overall it’s not as much fun as I was led to believe.

Impossible
Sun Feb 02 2020 AppStoreUser2024

Impossible to beat even on the easiest difficulty. The game also always forces you to start which puts you at a disadvantage. It runs nicely on my watch but I have lost every single game I’ve played Update: (Added a star) Developer responded with proof that you can beat the game even if you start every time. It would be even better if the difference between the difficulties was even more substantial.

Really fun on watch
Mon Feb 10 2020 ScottEdwards200

I love this game. Chess has always been so intimidating to me. This is much more approachable. I can confirm you can win pretty often. So the arxiv reference in the other review proves that starting first has the same advantage as not? Wasn’t Gardner’s mini chess slightly different than this?

Avoid
Wed Oct 02 2024 Jeremiiahhh

Easily the worst app on the entire platform. It is nearly impossible to win in the half format. You are at a completely 99:1 disadvantage. It’s not a fair game. Whichever side goes second is almost garunteed to win and the bot is always second move. The bot also will specifically try and stalemate the game if it starts to lose

Simple and quick
Tue Feb 11 2020 Buzuli

I live being able to pull this up and run through a game in a minute. Even though the computer plays hard, it is possible to beat it.

Loving this baby chessboard
Sun Sep 27 2020 joecunningham

what’s interesting is that it’s a completely different game when you cut it down to this size. Not easier. Not harder. Just as much fun, which surprised me.

You may also like