Chessnook · Chess & Xiangqiv1.1.0

Released October 5, 2026Major

iOS

The latest major update introduces significant feature parity for Chess and visual refinements for both game modes. As no performance or sentiment data is currently available, the impact remains neutral. The update focuses on core utility and aesthetic consistency.

What changed

ContentNew ivory-style pieces and board coordinates for Xiangqi and original piece set for Chess
UXEnhanced piece animations including sliding, bouncing, and haptic feedback
UXUnified game screen layout with proper move notation for all game types
New featureAdded undo, resign, and game saving functionality to Chess
LocalizationTranslated opening names and added move sounds to Chess
UXNew results card showing moves, time, and difficulty
PerformanceImproved AI performance to reduce thinking time and fix erratic end-game moves
MonetizationImproved purchase and restore feedback and ad fixes
PerformanceStability fixes and general app improvements

Reception

50/ 100 impact scoreNeutral

What worked

New feature
The addition of undo, resign, and game saving functionality provides parity with standard chess application expectations.

What didn't

Performance
no evidence
No user sentiment data is available to confirm the efficacy of AI performance adjustments or end-game move corrections.

Marlvel takeaways

Monitor user feedback regarding the new ivory-style pieces to ensure visual clarity remains consistent across different screen brightness levels.
Verify that the unified game screen layout correctly displays move notation for both Xiangqi and Chess to prevent potential UI overlap.
Track the frequency of purchase restoration requests to validate that the recent monetization fixes resolved previous billing friction.

Original release notes

• All-new boards and pieces: xiangqi uses traditional ivory pieces with brush-style characters and board coordinates; chess gets an original new piece set. All three games share the same highlights for selection, legal moves, captures and check, and the last move is easy to spot.
• Moves feel better: pieces slide, land with a little bounce and pop when captured, with haptics (turned off when Reduce Motion is on).
• Redesigned game screen with one layout for all three games and a move list in proper notation (炮二平五 / Nf3). Chess adds undo and resign, saves games so you can continue later, follows your board theme and now has move sounds; opening names are translated.
• Results appear in a bottom card with moves, game time and difficulty; Home puts "Continue" first; puzzles show the goal and your progress.
• Steadier AI: chess on hard levels no longer thinks for minutes, and xiangqi/banqi AI no longer makes odd moves when time runs out.
• Purchases and restores now show their result; plus ad and stability fixes.