Limited drop of 960 NFTs unlocks early access to rewards, staking, and gameplay advantages in Anichess’ evolving Web3 chess universe
Anichess, the fantasy-meets-strategy chess game built by Animoca Brands in collaboration with Chess.com and Magnus Carlsen’s Play Magnus Group, is set to mint its highly anticipated Genesis Ethernals NFT collection on July 3. The limited-edition drop, featuring just 960 NFTs, will reward the platform’s most loyal early players and contributors, offering a rare blend of status, utility, and exclusive perks within the Anichess ecosystem.
A Tribute to the Early Community
The Genesis Ethernals collection has been created to honor the players who laid the foundation of Anichess. This first-ever NFT drop will be free to mint, with users only covering Ethereum gas fees, estimated to be around $1. The mint will be available for 24 hours and open exclusively to allowlisted wallets.
To ensure fairness, Anichess will launch an eligibility checker so players can verify if they qualify to mint. For those not on the allowlist, a Premint raffle offers another shot at entry into this elite collection.
Ethernals: More Than Just Digital Art
Each Genesis Ethernal is deeply woven into the lore of Mystra, the fictional realm of Anichess. Drawing themes from six ancient tribes—the Mountain Folk, Volcanic People, Storm Citizens, River Dwellers, Time Tinkerers, and Shadow People—each NFT reflects a unique identity and narrative element. These NFTs are not just collectibles; they represent player legacy, offering in-game boosts, exclusive staking access, and token rewards.
Holders will earn special perks including $C token airdrops, entry into a private staking pool, and gameplay advantages not available to regular players. Owning an Ethernal also bestows the prestigious “Ethernal” status, solidifying the holder’s role in the game’s future roadmap.
Integrating with the Checkmate Ecosystem
The Genesis Ethernals are a cornerstone of the Checkmate Ecosystem, a player-centric framework built around $C, Anichess’ upcoming utility token. Holding an Ethernal NFT grants users priority in $C airdrops, access to exclusive staking mechanisms, and early exposure to new game modes and features.
These benefits will scale over time, eventually offering governance roles, early beta access, and other community-first incentives. As Anichess evolves, Ethernal holders will be positioned at the forefront of the platform’s growth.
A New Era of Strategic Chess Gameplay
Since its public alpha debut in October 2024, Anichess has rapidly grown its community, blending classic chess with anime-style visuals, magical spells, and Web3 rewards. Players can still enjoy traditional mechanics like castling and pawn promotion, but the game’s magic system adds layers of depth with spells such as “Queen Time” and “Juke.”
With game modes ranging from Quick Matches to Ranked Play using Glicko-2 ratings, Anichess has already engaged over 1 million users, with 300,000+ PvP matches and an average Day 1 playtime exceeding 20 minutes.
Blockchain and Competitive Integration
In April 2025, Anichess launched M8, a fully on-chain point system built on Base. M8 points are awarded daily based on match performance and can be used to unlock spells, cosmetics, loot boxes, and access to Gambit Mode. M8 is designed to integrate seamlessly with $C in the future, offering a scalable reward system rooted in blockchain transparency.
Season 4 of competitive play, titled “Ranked & Reckless,” kicked off on May 30, introducing a $10,000 prize pool in $C tokens and fresh leaderboards. Players compete for M8 points and ranking spots, with the top 64 advancing to the playoffs.
A Defining Moment for Web3 Gaming
The Genesis Ethernals mint represents a major milestone for both Anichess and the growing Web3 gaming space. By rewarding genuine community participation and offering tangible in-game benefits, the collection highlights the project’s commitment to player-first design.
With only 960 NFTs being minted—and no plans for expansion—Genesis Ethernals are set to become some of the most sought-after assets in the Anichess ecosystem.
Players and collectors alike can mint their Genesis Ethernal directly at Anichess.com starting July 3, marking the beginning of a new chapter in strategic, blockchain-powered chess.
