How to Play
Core Gameplay
Anichess keeps the foundations of chess intact: castling, en passant, promotion. But there’s no check or checkmate. You win by capturing the opponent’s king. That’s a Kingslay. There’s no warning. The king can move into danger. Stalemate doesn’t apply.
Spells add a second layer of strategy. They cost mana and replace your move for the turn. You gain 1 mana at the end of each turn you don’t cast, up to a maximum of 8. If a spell captures a piece, it’s treated like a normal capture.
Before each match, you pick your spells. Lite Mode gives you one. Classic Mode gives you three. Choose what fits your style.
Current formats include Flash (3+2), Blitz (5+2), and Rapid (10|0). Pick your pace. The magic stays the same.
Mana & Spells
Spells are your second layer of strategy. Each one has a mana cost and a limit per game. You earn 1 mana every turn you don’t cast, up to a cap of 8 mana.
Some spells reposition your pieces in ways traditional chess never allowed. Others break the rules outright. Some steal mana. Some go straight for destruction. The more you play, the more you’ll understand their timing, risks, and advantages.
You start with five core spells: Slip, Parkour Mech, House Recruit, Bis-Hop, and Imposter. The rest are unlocked by completing missions tied to different game modes. You’ll get there quickly — especially if you experiment.
Game Modes
Anichess offers various game modes to suit different playstyles, from casual matches to more competitive, ranked games:
Quick Match: Enjoy a fast-paced game without affecting your Rating. This mode is ideal for casual play, allowing you to experience the thrill of Anichess without the pressure of rankings.
Ranked Match: Compete and climb the leaderboard with our Glicko2-based Rating system, designed to reflect your true skill level. Each match impacts your Rating, with higher stakes when facing opponents of different skill levels. Before entering Ranked Matches, you must first play 5 Quick Matches to familiarize yourself with the game mechanics.
Friend Match: Challenge a friend directly in a private match. This mode offers a personalized game experience, perfect for friendly competitions, without affecting your Rating.
Train with Bot: Practice against an AI opponent with four difficulty levels - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master.
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