The Best Chess Apps for Android and iOS

Chess is one of those games that is easy to learn but difficult (if not impossible) to master. Its rules are quite simple, but devising optimal strategies and planning multiple moves at the same time can be mind-boggling. Nonetheless, whether you are a novice chess player or a budding grandmaster, there is a surprisingly wide range of great chess apps available for Android and iOS devices. In this article, we showcase the best of them, covering simple apps for fast-paced gaming as well as those that include a host of additional features.

Chess by Chess.com

Chess.com’s chess app is probably the most popular of its kind in the world. Its basic offer is the possibility of playing an unlimited number of chess games for free, either with the computer or with other players. It goes way beyond that, however, by offering interactive lessons and videos from great grading masters, as well as puzzle mini-games that help you hone your skills and strategies. You can adjust the computer’s difficulty setting as you become more experienced, while you can also analyze the games after they’ve been played, helping you spot your mistakes and learn how to do it. improve. There are also many other great extras like daily published coaching articles, performance stats, and an active community forum. If there’s only one app you have time to download, it probably should be this one, although you have to subscribe to unlock all of its features, starting at $ 5 per month or $ 30. per year.

Android iOS

Chess by Optime Software

Another app imaginatively named “Chess”, Optime Software’s effort is a great alternative if you don’t want to spend money on a chess app and just want to play games for free. You can test yourself against the computer and against friends, with the computer having an adjustable difficulty level that is suitable for almost any player. The app is admittedly stripped down compared to other titles, but it does feature configurable player names, a variety of immersive sound effects, and board rotation for two-player games. Another handy feature is that it automatically saves your progress in a game if you get a phone call halfway through or need to exit the app. Also includes a payment option to get rid of banner ads, but otherwise everything else is completely free.

Android iOS

Chess Time – Multiplayer Chess

Here is a great chess app to try if you want to play with other people online anywhere in the world. What’s especially good is that in addition to playing against others in real time, you can also use it to play a relaxed game of correspondence chess, with the app giving you several days to do so. your next move. It also means that you can play multiple matching games in parallel while thinking about your next moves in the shower or in bed. The app easily includes an in-game chat feature, so you can goad your opponent or talk about the weather. It’s largely free to use, although the monthly or yearly premium subscription removes ads and gives you access to PGN (Handheld Game Rating) emails, so you can study the games once they’re finished. .

Android iOS

Play Magnus

Can you imagine yourself as the next world champion chess player? Well, you can put your own guess to the test by playing Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, or at least a computer simulation of him. It’s based on a specially designed chess engine that’s been designed to behave like Carlsen at different stages of his career, dating back to when he was beatable (roughly) five years ago. The difficulty escalates quickly after that, but the app also offers a series of lessons and video tutorials with the world champion himself, helping newcomers understand the fundamentals while sharing more advanced tactics. The app also lets you play online with other people, while you can compare your stats and ratings with friends, for bragging rights.

Android iOS

Really bad failures

Yes, we know this is supposed to be a list of the best chess apps for Android and iOS, but we couldn’t help but include Really Bad Chess. As the name suggests, this is not your conventional three-course chess app. Instead, it sets you up in games with completely random coins, so you start matches with, say, three queens and seven bishops (or just pawns). If that sounds like a fun concept to you, then you are right, because the game is addictively hilarious under the right circumstances. The app lets you play against the computer for free, or you can make an in-app purchase for the ability to compete with friends (as well as the ability to change color schemes and view captured coins). Basically the app is a great leveler, helping novices compete with masters on a level playing field.

Android iOS

Learn chess with Dr. Wolf

If you want to secretly gain the upper hand over your chess buddies, Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf may be an ideal app. It is basically a chess coaching companion, with the AI ​​of the app playing with you and explaining the moves step by step so you can learn from mistakes and develop ideal strategies. As well as being able to play against the computer, the app also offers 25 lessons, each one exploring a particular concept or tactic so you can go about it. These lessons start with simple drills and then move on to more complex aspects of the game, so it’s ideal for everyone from beginners to more experienced intermediates. The app does require a subscription, but it lets you play three games for free, so you can get a taste of how “Dr. Wolf ”and decide if you want to continue.

Android iOS

Chess clock

Okay, Chess Clock is not actually an app that lets you play chess games on your phone. Instead, it’s literally a chess clock, so you can play timed games against any opponent who accidentally wandered into your house and challenged you to a showdown. It really is that simple, although you can choose from a variety of times and modes. This includes the ability to use Fischer and Bronstein increments, which are added to the time you have left on your clock. It also includes a number of time options that you are likely to find in official tournaments, such as 60 minute games. Fortunately, the clock will automatically pause if the app is interrupted, while you can also pause your clock at any time if you need to do something else.

Android iOS

Tic

You might think Twitch just can’t be one of the best chess apps out there, but it actually is. While you can’t specifically play games using the popular live streaming app, it’s a fantastic place to watch some of the world’s best chess players in action. Grandmasters such as Hikaru Nakamura regularly broadcast using the platform, while Chess.com has its own channel through which it broadcasts matches and tournaments. The chess community using Twitch continues to grow, having become particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic. So it’s a great place not only to learn from the experts, but also to connect with like-minded chess fans.

Android iOS

Editor’s recommendations