🐧 Pudgy Penguins Takeover Ends

**Week 1 Gambit Leaderboard Rewards Distributed** Anichess has completed its first weekly distribution of 250,000 $CHECK tokens to the top 50 players on the Gambit leaderboard. The competitive chess mode requires a 100 $CHECK buy-in per match, with rankings determined by total matches played rather than wins. **Key Requirements:** - Players needed only 2,000 points to rank (equivalent to 10 peak-hour games or 20 normal games) - 15-match minimum qualifier for reward eligibility - Peak Hours (13:30-16:30 UTC) offer 2x leaderboard points **Season 7 Structure:** The season features multiple reward tracks totaling over 1,000,000 $CHECK: - **Gambit Leaderboard**: 250,000 $CHECK weekly split among top 50 - **M8 Arena**: 50 random players receive minimum 500 $CHECK weekly - **Standard Mode**: M8 token rewards for completing 15 matches weekly Week 1 included a special 25 $CHECK loss protection rebate for new players learning the mode. The leaderboard resets every Monday at 00:00 UTC, giving all players a fresh start each week. [Learn more about Gambit mode](https://anichess.com)

Anichess has completed an airdrop of 198 Void Vanguards NFTs to users who sent their Ethernals to the Void. **Key Details:** - Each Void Vanguard contains $CHECK tokens that unlock on January 22, 2027 - No public listing will be available for these NFTs - Remaining supply will be distributed through holder raffles, community bidding, tournament prizes, and ecosystem rewards This distribution is part of a larger planned drop of 960 Void Vanguards, with some carrying up to 500,000 $CHECK tokens. The project emphasizes community participation through exclusive distribution channels rather than open market sales.

**Anichess has updated its Gambit Leaderboard schedule in response to community requests.** **Key Changes:** - Leaderboard now pauses Sunday 00:00 UTC and resumes Monday - No leaderboard points earned on Sundays - $CHECK wins and losses still count during the break **How Gambit Works:** - Entry cost: 100 CHECK per match - Win payout: 170 CHECK - Rankings based on total matches entered, not wins - Top 50 players split 250,000 CHECK when leaderboard resets Monday **Qualification Requirements:** - Minimum 15 matches to qualify - Peak hours offer 2x leaderboard points: - 13:30-16:30 UTC - 21:30-00:30 HKT - 09:30-12:30 ET Week 2 is currently live.

**New Spell Mechanic Launches Across All Modes** Anichess has released **Power Infusion**, a new spell that allows players to promote any piece during mid-game play. The spell operates on a dynamic mana system: - Initial cost: 6 mana - Cost reduction: 1 mana less with each subsequent cast - Availability: Live in all game modes - Coming soon to Gambit mode **Quality of Life Updates** The latest build includes two player-friendly improvements: - **Animation skip**: Tap to bypass spell animations and preserve your timer - **Extended time control**: Gambit mode now grants +4 seconds per move (increased from +2s) These changes aim to enhance strategic depth while improving the overall gameplay experience for the chess community.

Anichess has removed the **Power Infusion** spell from its promotion mechanic. The spell, which allowed players to promote any piece mid-game starting at 6 mana and decreasing by 1 with each cast, is no longer available in this capacity. **Key Changes:** - Power Infusion spell removed from promotion - Previously launched across all game modes - Was set to arrive in Gambit mode **Recent Updates:** - Tap to skip spell animations feature added - Gambit time control increased from +2s to +4s per move The change affects the strategic layer of gameplay that distinguishes Anichess from traditional chess.