Dzimbabwe Chess

codeapes.works

About this game

Play the game of kings, Mambo style.

Dzimbabwe Chess is real chess, reimagined through the stones of Great Zimbabwe. Every piece has been recast from Zimbabwean history and hand-shaded like carved soapstone — and beneath it all runs an original mbira soundtrack with hosho keeping time.

MEET THE ROYAL COURT
♚ Mambo — the King. The chief. Protect him at all costs.
♛ Nehanda — the Queen. The spirit medium, moving in all directions.
♜ Shongwe — the Rook. The conical tower, strong on straight lines.
♞ Chapungu — the Knight. The Zimbabwe bird, leaping over anything.
♝ N'anga — the Bishop. The healer, seeing along the diagonals.
♟ Majoni — the Pawns. The warriors, marching forward, never back.

New to chess? The Learn screen introduces every piece and what it does, then drops you into a gentle tutorial match.

RISE OF THE MAMBO — CAREER MODE
Fight your way through 45 stages and five chapters, from the village fields to the court of the Mambo himself. Face 45 named opponents, each with their own strength. Winning is only the start — every stage sets an objective: win without losing Nehanda, finish in 35 moves, protect your Shongwe, or crush your rival with a material lead. Earn up to three stars per stage and chase a perfect 135.

PLAY YOUR WAY
• Versus AI — three opponents, from Gonzo the Majoni (still learning the spear) to Mbuya the Great (sees all diagonals).
• Pass and play — one phone, two players, old-school.
• Full chess rules — castling, en passant, promotion, check, checkmate, stalemate and draws, all handled properly.
• Legal-move hints, last-move highlights and captured-piece trays keep the board easy to read.
• Online game rooms are on the way — challenge friends across Zimbabwe and beyond.

MADE TO RESPECT YOU
• Completely free, with no ads and no in-app purchases.
• No account, no sign-up, no personal data collected. Your progress stays on your phone.
• Plays fully offline — no data bundle needed. Perfect for load-shedding evenings.
• Light on space and battery.

BUILT IN ZIMBABWE
Dzimbabwe Chess is crafted in Harare by CodeApes, the studio behind Makasa and Whack-A-Gonzo. It is a love letter to the game of kings and to the kingdom that built walls without mortar. Whether you are teaching your kids their first moves, sharpening your openings on the kombi, or chasing three stars on stage 45, tambai zvakanaka — play well.

Pamberi ne chess!

What’s new

Welcome to Dzimbabwe Chess — the first release!

- Full chess with a Zimbabwean soul: Mambo, Nehanda, Chapungu and more
- Career mode: 45 stages across 5 chapters, with star challenges
- Play vs AI on three difficulty levels
- Pass-and-play on one device
- Learn-the-pieces guide for newcomers
- Original mbira soundtrack
- Free, plays fully offline

Tambai zvakanaka — play well!