Summary
Chess.com brings online play, puzzles, and structured lessons together in one comprehensive chess app. A huge player base, plenty of variants, and strong learning tools make it appealing to beginners and seasoned players alike. It holds a 4.81 average from more than 840,000 ratings on the US App Store.
Gameplay
At its core this is classic chess, but the range of time controls is wide. According to the developer, real-time games run from one-minute bullet up to 30 minutes or longer, and daily correspondence chess lets players take days per move for a low-pressure pace.
Beyond standard chess, the app offers variants such as Chess960, 3-check, king of the hill, crazyhouse, bughouse, fog of war, and blindfold chess. Opponents can be real people or more than 100 computer bots at adjustable difficulty. The description also notes offline play against the computer and pass-and-play with friends.
Progression & Meta
Progress is measured the way chess players expect: through ratings. The app tracks detailed stats for games, puzzles, and lessons, and climbing the online leaderboards serves as a long-term goal.
For improvement, there are 500,000+ puzzles, with a rated mode that adapts to skill level and Puzzle Rush for racing the clock. Master-made lessons follow a step-by-step plan through openings, middlegames, and endgames. A visual coach offers move-by-move hints and explains finished games, and an opening explorer helps build a repertoire.
Monetization & Ads
The app is free to download, and the developer states that two-player online chess with friends is entirely free. However, the store data does not include details on in-app purchases, subscriptions, pricing, or ads.
As a result, it isn’t clear from this data how much of the lessons, analysis, and coaching is free versus paid. Checking the in-app purchase section of the store listing before downloading is a good idea.
Who Is It For?
It suits a broad range of players, from newcomers learning the rules to experienced players chasing a higher rating. Competitive fans of fast bullet and blitz will feel at home, as will those who prefer slow correspondence games on their own schedule. Players with no interest in chess looking for a quick, light game will naturally find less here.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Huge range of time controls, from bullet to daily correspondence
- Many variants, including Chess960, crazyhouse, and bughouse
- 500,000+ puzzles with a rated mode that adapts to skill level
- Coach and game analysis tools that guide play move by move
- Offline play against the computer and on a shared device
Cons
- The split between free and paid features isn't clear from the store data
- Social features such as tournaments, chat, and rated games require an internet connection
- The sheer number of features may feel busy for players who just want a quick game
Score
Vast content, strong learning tools, and a massive community put it among the best in its genre, though the scope of paid features remains unclear in the store data.
Our editor works in the mobile game industry, so reviews may be biased. How we review and score games →
Frequently asked questions
Is Chess.com free?
Yes. Chess.com is free to download on iOS (App Store) and offers optional in-app purchases.
Does Chess.com have ads?
Yes, Chess.com shows ads. For its genre, we rate its balance of ads and purchases 7.5/10.
Can you play Chess.com offline?
Yes, Chess.com can be played without an internet connection.
Is Chess.com worth playing?
We give Chess.com 8.8/10. Vast content, strong learning tools, and a massive community put it among the best in its genre, though the scope of paid features remains unclear in the store data.
Which platforms is Chess.com available on?
Chess.com is available on iOS (App Store).
