Fun Playing Chess AnIES, Users Can Get Free NFT Prizes

Animoca Brands and Chess.com launched an NFT-based chess game. (Photo; Doc. Anichess)

JAKARTA - Anichess, a free browser game that combines classic chess games with magical elements such as magic, fantasy stories, and Web3, has launched its beta version to the public. The game was developed by the world's leading gaming studio, Animoca Brands, in collaboration with Chess.com's most popular chess platform and world chess champion Magnus Carlsen.

Anichess beta can now be played. The game outlines a fairly interesting single-player experience, where players can complete the daily puzzle challenges that contain chess strategies and magic mantra. Not only that, players can also explore four kingdoms in Anichess, namely Aether, Water, Fire, and Earth. Each kingdom has its own background, music, and character.

Unfortunately this game doesn't have a player-vs-player (PVP) mode yet. In fact, in chess, the game in this mode is the most challenging because it has to face the enemy in real terms. Even so, developer Anichess stated that PVP mode will soon be added to the game in the first quarter of this year.

Not only that, but later Anichess will also be equipped with various formats as in general chess games such as fast blitz, rapid, or classic chess modes. Users will also be able to participate in the turname and the Anichess chess league.

"Anichess is a game I love because he revolutionizes chess in a fun and creative way. I am delighted to be collaborating with Animoca Brands and Chess.com to create a refreshing chess experience for players around the world," said world champion chess player Magnus Carlsen.

Unique NFT And Rare Orb Of Power

Unlike chess games in general, Anichess is equipped with a non-fungible token (NFT) called the Orb of Power. This NFT can be obtained by players by solving daily puzzle challenges. The orbit of Power is a unique and rare digital asset. This can be used by players to open content and additional features in the game. The most interesting thing is that NFT orb of Power can be traded on the NFT marketplace.

The Orb of Power has a form of chess pieces, such as pions, forts, horses, elephants, queens, or kings, and has different elements depending on different kingdoms such as Aether, Water, Fire, or Earth. Each Orb has different characteristics and strengths, which can affect chess games. For example, the Orb of Fire can burn pieces of opponents, while the Orb of Water can flood checkerboards.

The Orb of Power was first released on the Ethereum Polygon scaling network in August 2023 and has reached more than 33,700 MATIC (approximately IDR 445 million) in total trading volume so far, according to NFT OKX data. Players can collect the Orb of Power for free by connecting their crypto wallets to the game, or buying them in the NFT market using cryptocurrencies such as MATIC, ETH, or SAND.

Moca ID

Anichess will also offer Moca ID integration, which is a loyalty platform created by Animoca Brands to connect the various games and blockchain projects they develop. With Moca ID, players can access various benefits and rewards, such as discounts, exclusive access, and free NFT.

Moca ID will also connect with Mocaverse, which is a metaverse that will home to various games and blockchain projects belonging to Animoca Brands, such as The Sandbox, F1 Delta Time, Axie Infinity, and others. Mocaverse will be a place where players can interact, play, and trade with other players from various games and projects.

With the merger of chess and NFT games, Anichess managed to raise $1.5 million (approximately IDR 23.4 billion) in initial funding in June 2023. The disbursement of the funds came from a number of early investors such as GameFi Ventures, Koda Capital, 708 Capital, The Operating Group, and others. The game is expected to launch in the alpha version and can be played in the first quarter of 2024.