Really Bad Chess

Really Bad Chess is just like chess, but with totally random pieces.

Noodlecake Studios Inc · com.noodlecake.reallybadchess

5.0 out of 5 (4 ratings) 1M+ downloads v1.4.18 88.1 MB Android 7.0+ PEGI 3 · Everyone

Download APK 88.1 MB All versions

Signature matches the Google Play version Details

Watch the Really Bad Chess trailer on YouTube

At a glance

Latest version: v1.4.18 (80)
Updated: Feb 23, 2026 (7 months ago)
APK size: 88.1 MB
Requires: Android 7.0+ (API 24)
CPU support: x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit, ARM 64-bit
Graphics: OpenGL ES 2.0+
Category: Board (game)
Listed since: Oct 28, 2021 (at least)
Permissions: 11
Website: noodlecake.com/games/really-bad-chess
Developer contact: [email protected]
Privacy: Developer's privacy policy

About this APK

Really Bad Chess is a game by Noodlecake Studios Inc in the Board category, listed since at least October 2021. It includes native code for x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit and ARM 64-bit, so it runs on practically every phone.

Since version 1.4.15, the minimum Android version rose from 6.0 to 7.0. It asks for 11 permissions, none of them sensitive. Compared with version 1.4.15, it adds 1 new permission (“Run at startup”) and drops 1 (“Change wifi multicast state”). The game offers in-app purchases through Google Play and can read the advertising ID that ad and analytics services use.

What's new in v1.4.18

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

Description

From the listing uploaded by “appupdater”.

Really Bad Chess is just like chess, but with totally random pieces. Try 8 Knights, 4 Bishops, and 3 pawns — why not? As heard on NPR's Weekend Edition 5 out of 5 Stars "An essential puzzle experience for anyone even remotely interested in strategy games" - TouchArcade Whether you play chess daily, or quit just after learning the rules, this small twist will open the door to an entire new world of chess. ------WHATS IN THE “BOX”? The free version of Really Bad Chess lets you compete vs. an AI in Ranked, Daily, or Weekly Challenges. Improve your skills using the included Freeplay mode. A single in-app purchase unlocks Versus Mode so you can compete against your friends locally! It also removes ads, displays captured pieces, and adds soothing alternate color-palettes to choose from. ------REALLY BAD PRESS "Makes chess fun even if you’re really bad" - The Verge "Feels more modern than chess has ever felt" - Applenapps "Really Bad Chess takes a really bad idea and somehow manages to make it a lot of fun." - Pocket Gamer ------A WORD FROM THE DEVELOPER Chess is one of those games I always wished I enjoyed, but its commitment to beauty, elegance, and perfect balance always turned me away. Really Bad Chess removes these boring restrictions and flips chess on its head. As much as random pieces change the game in some ways, I was really surprised to notice how much the game remains the same, and how powerful some pieces are — you've never truly struggled against a pawn until you've struggled against a pawn in the back row. For chess pros, Really Bad Chess will give you a new type of challenge — the pieces & the moves are the same, but you'll have to throw out your openings and your understanding of normal patterns of play. For novice chess players (like most of us), Really Bad Chess greatly opens up the game. Instead of starting by studying openings, in your first games you'll get to discover the joy (and challenge!) of learning how to checkmate. I hope you have as much fun with Really Bad Chess as much as I did making it. -zach

Version history

2 versions are listed, going back to v1.4.15. Since v1.4.18 it requires Android 7.0+.

v1.4.18 LATEST Feb 23, 2026 88.1 MB TRUSTED v1.4.15 Oct 7, 2024 101.3 MB TRUSTED

All 2 versions

Security & authenticity

Security rating: Trusted

Signing certificate

Signature matches the Google Play version Checked by the source store on Feb 23, 2026.
Certificate issued to “Noodlecake Studios Inc” This is the certificate of the Google Play version.
Same certificate as the other version checked

Store checks and file details

Developer signature under review Feb 23, 2026
Validated against Google Play Feb 23, 2026
Signed byCN=Jordan Schidlowsky, OU=Development, O=Noodlecake Studios Inc, L=Saskatoon, ST=SK, C=CA
Signing certificate (SHA-1)A1:EF:4A:2C:82:95:FE:CB:5E:90:2C:37:A6:74:8B:75:D8:61:01:8A
File MD5545dd66d86b8afafbf2179928b92ed5e
Uploaded by “appupdater” Gold tier · 117,810 followers · uploading since 2020

Scans and ratings come from the source store; the certificate comparisons are AAPKs's own, made from the files' published signatures (1 other version compared). AAPKs doesn't scan files itself — compare the MD5 and signer after downloading.

Permissions (11)

Really Bad Chess requests 11 permissions, none of them sensitive.

Advertising ID com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID
Apphub bind apphub service (custom) com.applovin.array.apphub.permission.BIND_APPHUB_SERVICE
Full network access android.permission.INTERNET
In-app purchases (Google Play Billing) com.android.vending.BILLING
Internal broadcast protection (app-defined) com.noodlecake.reallybadchess.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
Prevent the device from sleeping android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
Read Google service settings com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES
Run at startup android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
Run foreground services android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE
View Wi-Fi connections android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
View network connections android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE

Required hardware & features

Wi-Fi android.hardware.wifi

Really Bad Chess APK: questions and answers

Is there a version of Really Bad Chess for older Android phones?

The current version needs Android 7.0 or later. Version 1.4.15 is the newest listed build that installs on Android 6.0 and later. It is an old build: apps that rely on online services may no longer connect when they are this old. Get version 1.4.15 · All versions

Can I install this APK over the version I already have?

Yes, if your installed copy is older. It is signed like the Google Play version, so Android installs it as an update and keeps your data.

Is Really Bad Chess free?

The APK is free to download, but the game offers in-app purchases through Google Play.

Is the Really Bad Chess APK safe?

No one can promise that a file is safe, but some things can be checked. The source store rates this file Trusted. Its signature matches the Google Play version. It is signed with the same certificate as the other version checked. After downloading, check that the file's MD5 is 545dd66d86b8afafbf2179928b92ed5e.