Anichess, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based gaming company Animoca Brands, has completed a highly successful seed funding round, raising $1.5 million. The round attracted prominent investors such as GameFi Ventures, Coin Operated Group, Koda Capital, Bing Ventures, 708 Capital, and Asymmetry Capital, as announced by AniChess.
Introducing AniChess: A Revolutionary Decentralised Chess Game
Anichess, a subsidiary of renowned blockchain gaming company Animoca Brands, has successfully concluded a seed funding round, raising $1.5 million to support the development of their decentralised chess game. Prominent investors, including GameFi Ventures, The Operating Group, Koda Capital, Bing Ventures, 708 Capital, and Asymmetry Capital, participated in the funding. The secured capital will be utilised for expanding the team and advancing game development, gearing up for the highly anticipated alpha launch scheduled for the last quarter of 2024.Â
Anichess features a range of magical abilities that players can utilise during matches. These abilities include freezing one of the opponent’s pieces, temporarily hiding the opponent’s clock, and even teleporting pieces to unexpected locations. By leveraging these magical abilities, players can devise unique strategies, making each match an exciting and unpredictable encounter. The game operates on a play-and-earn business model, providing players with incentives and rewards for their participation.
AniChess Secures Funding and Partnerships for Development
The company recently completed an oversubscribed seed round, successfully raising $1.5 million in funding. The round saw participation from prominent investors such as GameFi Ventures, Coin Operated Group, Koda Capital, Bing Ventures, and 708 Capital, among others. The strong support from investors validates the vision to deliver unparalleled experiences for chess players, gamers, and fans.
In addition to securing funding, Anichess has formed strategic partnerships with notable entities in the chess world. Play Magnus Group, founded by World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, is collaborating with Animoca Brands and Lympo to develop and promote Anichess.
The partnership aims to leverage Carlsen’s expertise and global influence in the chess community to drive awareness and engagement for the game. Furthermore, Anichess has partnered with Chess.com, a leading online chess platform with millions of registered users, to expand its reach and foster the growth of the global chess community.
Enriched Gameplay and eSports Elements in Anichess
Anichess is dedicated to preserving the core ethos of chess as a predominantly skill-based and free-to-play game. While adhering to the fundamental rules of traditional chess, it introduces an innovative spell mechanic that adds an extra layer of strategy.Â
Players can access a range of offensive, defensive, and counter-tactics through the spell mechanic, allowing them to adapt their gameplay and surprise their opponents. This enriches the chess experience and opens up new avenues for creative thinking and strategic decision-making.
In addition to the spell mechanic, it incorporates elements inspired by eSports, enhancing the competitive aspect of the game. The inclusion of challenges, tournaments, and leaderboards within the game creates a dynamic and engaging environment for players. These eSports-like elements provide players with opportunities to showcase their skills, compete against others, and achieve recognition within the gaming community.
Empowering Players and Growing the Chess Community
With the backing of Animoca Brands, Play Magnus Group, and Chess dot com, Anichess is well-positioned to empower players and expand the global chess community. The game’s integration with Play Magnus Group provides exposure to millions of chess enthusiasts worldwide.
 The company aims to introduce chess to new audiences by presenting the game in innovative ways. By offering a fun and different chess experience, it seeks to engage top players, influencers, and casual gamers, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community. Through decentralisation and the open metaverse, the aim to redefine chess and pave the way for exciting future developments in the world of gaming.
Backed by Animoca Brands, Play Magnus Group, aims to empower players and foster the growth of the global chess community. Through its integration, it gains access to a vast audience of millions of chess enthusiasts worldwide. This exposure allows to introduce the game to new audiences, presenting chess in innovative and captivating ways.
The highly anticipated game is set for a 2024 release, although an official date has yet to be announced. Currently in its early development stages, the game promises excitement and innovation. Notably, Tadas Marukas expressed enthusiasm for an upcoming esports event featuring Magnus Carlsen, powered by AniChess, in recognition of Magnus’s top rank in the FTX Crypto Cup.
