Support

Chess 960 Randomizer

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Need Help?

We're here to help you get the most out of Chess 960 Randomizer. Browse our FAQ, learn how to use the app, or get in touch with us directly.

How to Use the App

Getting Started

Chess 960 Randomizer is designed to be simple and intuitive:

Launch the app - You'll immediately see a valid Chess 960 starting position
Tap SHUFFLE - Either player can tap their shuffle button to generate a new position
Watch the animation - Enjoy the elegant split-flap display as pieces flip to reveal the new position
Set up your board - Use the displayed position to arrange your physical chess pieces

Two-Player Design

The app is optimized for two players sitting across from each other:

Each player has their own view with pieces oriented correctly
Both players have access to a shuffle button positioned near their side
Works in both portrait and landscape orientations

Understanding Chess 960

Chess 960 (also known as Fischer Random Chess) randomizes the starting position with these rules:

The king must be placed between the two rooks
Bishops must be on opposite-colored squares
All other pieces are randomly placed
This creates exactly 960 possible starting positions

Every position generated by the app is guaranteed to follow these rules and be tournament-legal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the app require an internet connection?

A: No! Chess 960 Randomizer works completely offline. All position generation happens locally on your device.

Q: Are all generated positions valid Chess 960 positions?

A: Yes, absolutely. Every position follows the official Chess 960 rules: king between rooks, bishops on opposite colors, and proper piece placement.

Q: Can I save or share positions?

A: Currently, the app focuses on simplicity and elegance. Position saving and sharing features may be added in future updates based on user feedback.

Q: Why do the pieces flip when I shuffle?

A: The split-flap animation is inspired by vintage airport and train station display boards. It adds elegance and visual interest to the position generation.

Q: How many times can I shuffle?

A: There's no limit! Shuffle as many times as you like to find the perfect starting position for your game.

Q: Does the app work on iPad?

A: Yes! Chess 960 Randomizer works beautifully on both iPhone and iPad, adapting to different screen sizes and orientations.

Q: What iOS version do I need?

A: The app requires iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later to take advantage of modern Swift features and animations.

Q: Can I use this for tournament play?

A: Yes! All generated positions are valid and legal for Chess 960 tournament play.

Troubleshooting

The app won't launch

Make sure you're running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later
Try restarting your device
Delete and reinstall the app from the App Store
Check for available app updates

Animations are choppy or slow

Close other apps running in the background
Restart your device to free up memory
Check if Low Power Mode is enabled (this can affect animations)
Make sure your device isn't overheating

The layout looks strange

Try rotating your device to landscape and back to portrait
Make sure your device orientation lock isn't enabled
Restart the app

The shuffle button doesn't respond

Wait for any ongoing animation to complete
Make sure you're tapping the button (not just near it)
Try force-quitting and relaunching the app

Still having issues?

If you're experiencing problems not covered here, please contact us using the information below.

Feature Requests & Feedback

We're constantly working to improve Chess 960 Randomizer. Your feedback helps shape the future of the app!

Planned Features Under Consideration

Position history to review previously generated positions
FEN notation display for digital board setup
Share position capability via image or text
Sound effects for the split-flap animation
Haptic feedback on shuffle
Custom color themes
Position number lookup (1-960)
Animation speed settings

Share Your Ideas

Have a feature request or suggestion? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at the email address below with:

A clear description of your suggested feature
How it would improve your experience
Any other context or examples

Contact Us

Get in Touch

For support, feedback, feature requests, or general inquiries:

Email: showy.prides_4m@icloud.com

We typically respond within 24-48 hours. Please include:

Your device model (e.g., iPhone 14 Pro, iPad Air)
iOS version
A detailed description of your issue or question
Screenshots if applicable

Privacy & Data

Chess 960 Randomizer takes your privacy seriously. We don't collect, store, or transmit any personal data. The app works entirely offline on your device.

For complete details, please review our Privacy Policy.

About Chess 960

Chess 960, also known as Fischer Random Chess, was invented by World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer in 1996. The variant was designed to:

Reduce the importance of opening theory and memorization
Emphasize creativity and understanding over preparation
Make chess more exciting and unpredictable
Level the playing field between players of different experience levels

With 960 possible starting positions, players must rely on their chess understanding rather than memorized opening sequences, making each game a fresh challenge.

System Requirements

Compatibility

Chess 960 Randomizer is designed for modern iOS and iPadOS devices:

Minimum Version: iOS 26 or iPadOS 26
Devices: iPhone and iPad
Orientations: Portrait and landscape
Screen Sizes: Optimized for all iPhone and iPad displays

Version History

Version 1.0 (May 2026)

Initial release
Valid Chess 960 position generation
Elegant split-flap animation
Dual-view design for two players
Portrait and landscape support
iPhone and iPad compatibility