Anichess New Ethernals NFT Collection

Anichess, the web3 chess-based strategy game developed by Animoca Brands in collaboration with Chess.com, has revealed the upcoming release of its first official NFT collection, the Ethernals. Set to mint in July 2025, the collection will be limited to 960 NFTs and will be made available through a free claim process for selected early contributors. This initiative is part of Anichess’s broader effort to recognize and reward community members who played a significant role during the early stages of the game's development and expansion.

Anichess New Ethernals NFT Collection

Minting Details and Eligibility Criteria

The Ethernals NFT mint will take place on the Ethereum blockchain. Although the NFTs will be free to claim, standard gas fees will apply. To ensure fair distribution, Anichess will implement a wallet eligibility checker prior to the mint. Only those who meet specific contribution criteria will be allowed to participate. The mint will be conducted through a 24-hour allowlist phase, during which each eligible wallet may claim a single NFT. No additional supply will be issued beyond the initial 960, reinforcing the collection’s limited nature and its focus on early community recognition.

Narrative Integration and In-Game Identity

Each Ethernal NFT corresponds to one of six narrative-based tribes from Mystra, the fantasy world in which the game is set. These tribes—Mountain Folk, Volcanic People, Storm Citizens, River Dwellers, Time Tinkerers, and Shadow People—represent different aspects of the game's lore and offer players a symbolic identity within the Anichess universe. The integration of these tribes into the NFT collection strengthens the game’s storytelling approach and supports its ongoing worldbuilding efforts.

Anichess New Ethernals NFT Collection

Utility Within the Checkmate Ecosystem

Holders of Ethernals NFTs will receive a variety of functional benefits in addition to their narrative identity. These benefits include access to future staking opportunities, as well as eligibility for token airdrops within the Checkmate ecosystem, which is powered by the game’s native $C token. These NFTs are designed to provide ongoing utility that aligns with the game's evolving web3 features and reward systems.

Launch Timing and Competitive Season

The Ethernals release comes shortly after the launch of Season 4 of Anichess, which introduced a reset in player rankings and a competitive structure featuring two leaderboards. One leaderboard tracks ranked gameplay, while the other monitors daily activity. The top 64 players by rating will qualify for the season’s playoffs, which will distribute a prize pool valued at $10,000 in $C tokens. This competitive layer complements the NFT launch by highlighting continued player engagement and offering financial incentives within the game’s ecosystem.

Anichess New Ethernals NFT Collection

Continued Focus on Accessibility

Anichess maintains a free-to-play model, allowing players to participate in the core gameplay without needing to own NFTs or tokens. However, web3 elements such as leaderboard progression, M8 point accumulation, and reward distribution provide additional engagement opportunities for users who opt into the blockchain layer of the game. This dual approach enables Anichess to remain accessible while offering added value to participants who seek deeper involvement through digital assets.

Access and Other Updates

All official information regarding the Ethernals mint, including eligibility and technical instructions, will be available on the Anichess website at anichess.com. The project’s team will also provide regular updates through its official Discord server and X account. Community members are encouraged to monitor these platforms for the latest announcements related to the drop and broader game developments.