Mon Mar 23 2026
Really Bad Chess+ is an absolute riot. I’ve always found traditional chess a bit intimidating because I didn't want to memorize 20 variations of the Ruy Lopez. Here, you can't. You have to play the board in front of you. There is something hilariously satisfying about pinning a Grandmaster AI with a three-queen onslaught that would be impossible in a 'real' game.
The 'Rank' system is the secret sauce. It doesn't just make the AI smarter; it gives the AI *better stuff*. It feels like a rogue-like strategy game where you're always the underdog. It’s brilliant, frustrating, and incredibly rewarding when you pull off a win with a 'bad' hand. This is easily one of the most creative uses of the Chess license ever.
Daily and Weekly challenges
Ranked and Freeplay modes
Customizable color palettes
No ads or in-app purchases
Detailed post-game analysis
Since openings don't exist here, your first priority is to assess your mobility. If you have multiple Queens, go on the offensive immediately. If you have an army of Knights, focus on creating a 'closed' game where your jumping pieces have the advantage over your opponent's long-range Rooks.
As you win games, your 'Rank' increases, and the AI starts getting 'better' pieces than you. This creates a natural handicap that keeps the game challenging regardless of your actual chess skill level.
Actually, it's often better for beginners than real chess because it rewards intuition over memorized patterns.