Animoca Brands Initiates Gradual Rollout of ‘Anichess’ in Collaboration with Chess.com

SNEAK PEEK

  • Anichess captivates with its enchanting fantasy world, where players embark on quests intertwined with chess challenges.
  • The game’s spellcasting feature introduces a dynamic layer to chess, allowing players to cast spells like ‘Knight’s Leap’ and ‘Queen’s Gambit’.
  • As players progress, they unlock legendary chess pieces with special abilities, enhancing their arsenal for upcoming PvE and PvP battles.

Animoca Brands, in a strategic collaboration with Chess.com and renowned chess icon Magnus Carlsen, has unveiled Anichess, a new chess strategy video game. This free-to-play game represents an innovative blend of classical chess principles and modern gameplay, available at www.anichess.com. Anichess introduces a novel concept in digital chess, marrying the traditional game’s rules with enchanting storytelling and unique gameplay elements. Notably, it features magic spell mechanics, adding a fresh dimension to offensive, defensive, and counter strategies.

The launch of Anichess marks a significant step in digital gaming. It offers player-versus-environment (PvE) challenges in its current phase, with plans to roll out player-versus-player (PvP) modes later in Q1 2024. This gradual rollout strategy ensures a polished and engaging gaming experience for users. Anichess is not just a game; it’s a strategic journey that retains the essence of classical chess while infusing it with new tactical layers through an innovative spell mechanism. This feature is designed to appeal to chess veterans and newcomers, offering a nuanced strategic experience beyond the conventional game.

Currently, Anichess immerses players in a solo adventure, where they navigate daily chess puzzles using unique magical spells. These spells, such as the ability to transform pieces, add an intriguing twist to the gameplay. Success in these puzzles rewards players with Orbs of Power, which unlock new challenges and in-game advantages. The game’s design focuses on making chess more engaging and accessible, expanding its appeal to a broader audience, including those who enjoy strategy games but may not regularly play chess.

The project has garnered support from an elite group of chess professionals. Besides Magnus Carlsen, the game features insights from Anish Giri, David Howell, David Antón Guijarro, and Sopiko Guramishvili, among others. Their involvement ensures that Anichess resonates with the chess community and maintains the integrity of the sport.

Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands highlights that Anichess is more than a game; it’s a revolution in the chess world. By integrating traditional chess strategy with spellcasting and a fantasy storyline, Anichess aims to pioneer a new dimension in chess. This launch signifies a landmark moment in the intersection of traditional board games and digital innovation, promising an engaging and strategic experience for chess enthusiasts and newcomers alike.