Anichess, a free-to-play magic-based chess game backed by Animoca Brands and Chess.com, has officially launched its highly anticipated Season 3. This season marks a significant evolution for the game, introducing an invite-only system that grants access to four game modes, three customizable themes, and nine updated spells. Players can earn leaderboard points by participating in matches and inviting friends to join the platform.

Anichess Cover Banner on X (Twitter)

About Anichess

Anichess is a web3 gaming project developed in collaboration between Animoca Brands and Chess.com, the leading global online chess platform. Anichess provides a novel tactical twist on the classic game of chess by implementing spells that open up new strategies and gameplay, and that require players to rethink the rules of traditional chess as they uncover the expansive lore within the world of the gameboard.  

Annabelle Huang, managing partner of Amber Group, commented: "Anichess represents a refreshing take on one of the most classic games cherished by many generations and we are proud to support the team in realizing their vision of delivering an engaging, community-centric, and decentralized player experience. The enthusiastic response to the debut of spell chess puzzles is a testament to the team's execution capability and we look forward to the release of the main game later this year."

Anichess Gameplay

New Features in Season 3

The highlight of Season 3 is the introduction of the first Player versus Player (PvP) mode, allowing players to engage in real-time chess battles while utilizing a variety of magical spells. To participate, players must have access through an invite code, which can be obtained from current players or the game’s official Discord server.

Players can explore four different game modes in this season:

1. Ranked Match: This competitive mode offers the highest points for victories and affects a player's Glicko2-based ELO rating, which is stored on-chain for transparency.
2. Quick Match: A casual mode where players can compete without affecting their rankings. This mode allows players to earn points regardless of the match outcome.
3. Play A Friend: This mode allows players to challenge friends directly by sending a unique match link, encouraging strategic play and cooperation.
4. Play With Bot: For those looking to practice, this mode features AI opponents at varying difficulty levels, ideal for honing skills before facing real players.

Anichess Player vs Player Modes

Points and Leaderboard System

Points can be earned in the first three modes, with each match granting rewards regardless of the outcome. However, players can only accumulate points from their first three matches in each mode per day, totaling up to nine matches for potential point earnings.

To cater to different playing styles, there are three timer settings for each mode:

• Classic: 30 minutes with no increment.
• Rapid: 10 minutes with no increment.
• Blitz: 5 minutes with a 2-second increment per move.

Updated Spells and Missions

In addition to the new game modes, Season 3 features nine updated spells, which have been balanced for fairer gameplay. Players begin with five random spells after completing Scherif’s Introduction and can unlock additional spells by accomplishing milestone-based spell missions. These missions require players to win a certain number of matches and capture specific pieces, further enhancing the strategic depth of the game.

Anichess New Game Modes

Final Thoughts

Players who participated in the private alpha can immediately access Season 3 using their existing wallets. Those on the allowlist should have received an access code. For players without these credentials, obtaining a six-digit invite code from current players is necessary. Interested players can also seek codes through the game’s official Discord server to join the action.

Anichess Season 3 promises to deliver an exciting and dynamic chess experience, combining traditional gameplay with innovative spell mechanics and competitive features. As players engage in matches, they can look forward to a blend of strategic depth and community engagement in this evolving web3 title.

Source: playtoearn