Game software development firm Animoca Brands has initiated the phased release of its decentralized chess strategy video game, Anichess. This venture is carried out in collaboration with the renowned Norwegian chess grandmaster, Magnus Carlsen, as announced by the company today.
A “spellbinding strategy game”
As per a press release from Animoca Brands on Tuesday, the company describes its latest release, Anichess, as a captivating strategy game that combines the fundamental rules of chess with an engaging narrative. The game also incorporates “magic spell mechanics,” offering players a wide array of offensive, defensive, and counter tactics.
The announcement of the game’s initial release follows Animoca Brands’ seed round funding announcement in June 2023, where they raised over $1.5 million for the development of Anichess.
In its current initial launch phase, Anichess plunges players into a solo adventure, challenging them to employ unique magical spells (such as transforming any non-royal piece into a knight) to solve daily chess puzzles. By successfully completing these daily challenges, players can accumulate Orbs of Power, in-game assets that confer utility, such as unlocking more challenging puzzles with greater rewards.
Carlsen helps bring innovation to chess
Anichess, currently available for free at Anichess.com, features player-versus-environment gameplay in its current form, with player-versus-player gameplay slated to be introduced in the first quarter of 2024.
Magnus Carlsen expressed his excitement about Anichess, stating, “I am excited that Anichess is bringing innovation to chess with spells and strategy gaming elements that provide a refreshing chess experience.”
Anichess has established itself as a leader in Web3 chess gameplay and has formed significant partnerships with Grandmasters within the chess community, including Anish Giri, David Howell, David Antón Guijarro, Sopiko Guramishvili, and more.
Animoca Brands emphasized that by collaborating closely with partner chess Grandmasters and game designers, Anichess aims to cater to a vast global community of chess enthusiasts while also expanding the horizons of chess and appealing to new audiences, including those who enjoy strategy games but may not regularly play chess.
Anichess ushers in a new chess era
Anichess is designed to cater to a wide range of skill levels, aiming to provide an engaging and accessible chess experience for all players.
Yat Siu, the co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, described Anichess as a game that revolutionizes the traditional game of chess by combining traditional strategy and gameplay with innovative elements such as spellcasting, a fantasy storyline, and Web3 functionality. He expressed excitement about the partnership with Chess.com and the presence of Magnus Carlsen and other prominent chess talents as they pioneer this new dimension of chess.
For updates and future developments related to Anichess, players can refer to the game’s official Discord channel.
