8.0.0
2022-05-25
We are introducing 2-player mode and a community.
We are also removing "Teacher mode", intended as a means to teach chess rules by playing.
7.3.1
2021-11-01
- We improved the Teach mode stages and made some UX improvements.
- We fixed a bug related to drag and drop in teach mode.
7.2.0
2021-08-22
NEW! Teacher mode helps you teach chess to anyone young or old.
Teach chess to your kid, friend or partner while playing games with them on Halfchess. You can do this in a cafe or on the move. Learning by playing is fun and a bonding experience between two players.
4.6.0
2020-03-26
This build introduces blind mode for two player games and for local games. There are also several UI improvements.
4.5.2
2020-02-25
The update fixes bugs and improves existing app features. We are promoting a hotlist feature, that would allow players to find opponents to play against. The update also fixes inapp purchase to remove advertisements.
Especially important! We fixed a bug where the sounds were getting enabled after users would close the app.
4.5.1
2020-02-21
The version fixes bugs and improves existing app features. We are encouraging players to use a hotlist feature, that would allow opponents to find one-another for two player matches.
4.5.0
2020-02-19
The version fixes bugs and improves existing app features. We are encouraging players to use a hotlist feature, that would allow opponents to find one-another for two player matches.
4.4.1
2020-02-16
The version fixes bugs and improves existing app features. We are encouraging players to use a hotlist feature, that would allow opponents to find one-another for two player matches.
4.4.0
2020-02-14
The version fixes bugs and improves existing app features. We are trying to promote a hotlist feature, that would allow players to find opponents to play against.
4.3.0
2020-02-09
We have made app improvements and bug fixes. We are attempting to encourage people to hotlist themselves to find other opponents online to play against.
4.2.0
2020-02-06
We have made improvements to 2-player games.
We have added a feature - 'hotlist'. A user can put themselves on hotlist and receive notifications for new matches every minute. Thus guaranteeing a 2-player match for someone who loves the concept of halfchess and would like to play against others.
4.1.1
2020-01-28
We have easier stages for beginners.
Three PvP boards picked daily.
Settings page allows turning off sounds.
We have added an option to undo moves (you can use it two times per game).
Advertisements can be turned off using a premium purchase.
4.1.0
2020-01-25
The version comes with improvements, fixes and an option to remove those pesky advertisements from the settings.
3.9.3
2020-01-22
We have easier stages for beginners. Three PvP boards picked daily.
Settings page allows turning off sounds. We have added an option to undo moves (you can use it two times per game).
We have added advertisements to the app that allow us to support the costs. In the next version, we will allow advertisements to be turned off using a premium purchase.
3.9.2
2020-01-16
Settings page allows turning off sounds.
We have added an option to undo moves (you can use it two times per game).
We have added advertisements to the app that allow us to support the costs.
In the next version, we will allow advertisements to be turned off using a premium purchase.
3.8.0
2020-01-05
- Fixes a bug which was making AI much easier. This was a really bad bug that creeped in and made the game a lot more easier than it really is.
- Allows player to claim victory against AI, when the opponent is reduced to a King. This makes HalfChess even faster for new players.
- Adds a boost button. For skilled players, who find the initial stages too easy; can boost their levels by playing a harder game.
3.7.3
2019-12-29
This version adds a new tutorial (on-boarding) to the application and other UI improvements in the application.
3.6.0
2019-12-20
The release comes with a new pretty logo, UI improvements and multiple fixes.
One of the new features is that you can switch between a AI mode game and a two-player match without ending the games.
So, while playing against an AI, if you receive a notification that someone wants to play against you - just accept the challenge and return to current match after your two player game.
3.5.0
2019-11-29
There are several improvements. We have introduced a live users counter on the app, so that people are aware of how many other users are currently on the app; before making a two-player online match request.
Additionally, we have added an option for longer 8 minute matches.
3.4.0
2019-09-26
Important! This has a bug fix that prevented users from advancing to higher stages. So if you were stuck in a stage and then this version has the cure.
Also, still the most exciting new feature in the app is the blind mode (a toggle button under quest)
3.3.0
2019-09-10
This version introduces a blind mode. The chess pieces disappear for five moves in a row, in which the user is expected to remember the positions. This is a challenging mode for players with ELO scores between 1200-1500.
Also carries various other fixes in the game.
3.2.0
2019-08-16
We have added over a hundred stages - for beginner and advanced users. We revisited the UI and it looks a lot more prettier now. We also fixed a bug with newer iPhones.
2.5.0
2017-01-06
- New: Invite others to a match using a match link.
- Fix: Prevent accidental creation of two matches.
- Fix: Volume button affects media volume by default.
- Change: Wait for opponent time is reduced to 45 seconds.
- Fix: Users were not moving ahead in quests (were stuck on same level).
2.3.2
2019-01-24
1. Allow user to manage Notifications in better way - users can disable the notifications from app and reduce max notifications sent to 2
2. Allow user to ABORT a match if no moves have been played
3. In Quest, allow user to play against computer at 100% on winning
4. Reduce sound volume of the game
5. Random selection first matches when user opens the app
6. Users should not log out when they close the app
7. Improve UI and UX in various screens
2.2.0
2018-12-18
* Uses better sounds during match
* Improves UI in small screens (iPhone5s)
* Other UI/UX improvements.
Note: Notifications only work in iOS as long as the user is on the app.
2.1.0
2018-12-01
We have added notifications for two player matches in this version. A badge appears on halfchess icon when someone wants to play. We also fixed some older bugs in two player matches.
In the next version, we will make UI fixes for smaller screens, improve the sounds we have used in the app and lastly keep improving the notifications further.
2.0.0
2018-10-28
We have introduced two player matches and completely re-written the app with an improved UI and UX.
The matches feature is still in beta. You are invited to share any bugs or improvement ideas to our email address (from Side menu --> About --> Write to us (in bottom)).
1.9.1
2017-11-10
The release 1.9 keeps a score of chess games played between two friends.
Now you can compete over several matches.
1.8.5
2017-10-27
We have fixes some problems seen while playing in poor networks. There are some other minor UI updates.
1.8.1
2017-10-11
Local two player games.
Improved app performance and UI.
Support across 15 languages - en (english), ja (japanese), de (german), pt (portuguese), es (spanish), hi (hindi), fr (french), it (italian), ko (korean), nl (dutch), ru (russian), zh-CN (chinese), ms (malay), iw (hebrew), ar (Arabic).
1.7.2
2017-08-19
* Removed advertisements.
* Added in-app purchase in pro-mode.
1.7.1
2017-08-09
This release does away with advertisements. To support our ongoing developments, we have added In-App purchases for some advanced parts of the game.
1.6
2017-07-18
We have created a new and more fun leaderboard - where players get titles as they advance through the stages. We have also made improvements in two player games (esp around players connecting with each other).
1.5.3
2017-07-05
It is now easier to invite and play two player games. The app informs you if you or your opponent is disconnected from the network at any point of a two player game.
Fix: progress along stages was not working properly for some devices, which has been fixed in this release.
1.5
2017-06-27
Its easier to invite and play two player games. The app informs you if you or your opponent is disconnected from the network.
1.4
2017-05-24
We removed crabs ('the new chess piece') from the easy mode. The easy mode is a toggle button in the dashboard screen.
The crabs, under the new rules, can jump over pawns and crabs in diagonal lines. This makes the game more challenging and faster.
Two player matches are now longer. One can also choose to play two player matches of different durations between 3 and 7 minutes.
1.3
2017-05-12
Added 5-file FENs. They offer optimum challenge and speed in the game. Also added many new two player games.
Added deep linking - so that links (such as two player match invites) open into the app.
1.2.3
2017-04-21
Two player games.
There can be a few annoyances - esp. that it is very sensitive to a flaky network while starting the game.
1.1.5
2017-01-14
UI improvements.