Chess - Play & Learn Online icon
Chess.com - Play & Learn: Comprehensive Review of Mobile Chess Experience

by Chess.com

4.8
IOSBoard Games
Chess.com's iOS app delivers a complete chess ecosystem with online multiplayer, extensive learning tools, and 500,000+ puzzles. Ideal for casual players and serious enthusiasts seeking global competition and skill development.

Detailed Review

Chess.com's iOS application establishes itself as a premier mobile chess platform, offering comprehensive gameplay and educational features within a polished interface. The app serves as a complete chess ecosystem, providing access to over 200 million registered players worldwide through its robust online multiplayer functionality. Its market position remains dominant due to the extensive feature set and cross-platform compatibility that maintains user progress across devices. The core functionality centers around multiple gameplay modes, including real-time and correspondence chess matches against human opponents worldwide. The platform features over 100 computer opponents with adjustable difficulty levels, catering to beginners through advanced players. Educational components include more than 500,000 tactical puzzles, interactive lessons from chess masters, and video content covering opening theory, middle game strategy, and endgame techniques. The 3D chess board implementation provides visual clarity while maintaining traditional chess notation and move validation. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design with intuitive navigation separating gameplay, learning, and social features. The interface employs clean typography and appropriate contrast for board visibility during extended sessions. Real-world usage patterns show players engaging in quick blitz games during commutes, studying tactics puzzles during breaks, and participating in scheduled tournaments. The app maintains performance stability during online matches with minimal latency issues reported across various network conditions. User feedback trends consistently highlight the educational value and global matchmaking capabilities. Reviewer Jellycathumster (September 3, 2025) noted the community's positive atmosphere, stating players are 'very complementary and kind' while helping users 'focus and think while having fun.' Ejzf (September 3, 2025) reported measurable improvement in 'chess accuracy and tactics' through regular use. Some users like 3eddie3reyes (September 2, 2025) raised concerns about pre-move functionality creating competitive imbalances in time-controlled games. The application demonstrates significant strengths in content depth and community engagement, though certain premium features require subscription access. The free version provides substantial value through unlimited online play and basic puzzles, while the paid tier unlocks advanced analytics and exclusive lesson content. Ideal use cases include casual players seeking global competition, students developing strategic thinking skills, and enthusiasts pursuing structured improvement through curated educational content. Performance remains consistently reliable across supported iOS devices with regular updates addressing feature requests and bug fixes.

Key Features

  • Online multiplayer connectivity matching players against 200+ million global users in real-time ranked matches with ELO tracking
  • Comprehensive learning system featuring 500,000+ tactical puzzles sorted by theme and difficulty for progressive skill development
  • Interactive video lessons and articles created by chess masters covering openings, strategy, and endgame techniques
  • Adjustable computer opponents with 100+ difficulty levels providing practice against AI with customizable time controls
  • 3D chess board implementation with multiple theme options and piece designs enhancing visual clarity during gameplay
  • Social features including friend challenges, clubs, and tournament participation fostering community engagement

Why Users Love It

Massive global player base
Extensive educational content

Perfect for: Chess enthusiasts seeking global competition and skill development

Screenshots

Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 1Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 2Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 3Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 4Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 5Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track Chess - Play & Learn Online's performance in Board Games over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#8

+1 from last week

Best Rank

#5

All-time high

Average Rank

#13

30-day average

User Reviews

Ejzf
Sep 3, 2025

This platform is superb as it is increased my chess accuracy and tactics. Excellent This platform is superb as it is increased my chess accuracy and tactics.

Braxy_b99
Sep 4, 2025

This app is dope!! Just like this website Www.skunkfreshlife.com Chess helps me make better decisions every day This app is dope!! Just like this website Www.skunkfreshlife.com

BAC1312
Sep 3, 2025

I love this app and have been using it for several years. It would be awesome if the daily puzzle streak could pause when on vacation and not near internet service. Great App...but needs to be able to pause the daily puzzle streak I love this app and have been using it for several years. It would be awesome if the daily puzzle streak could pause when on vacation and not near internet service.

Jellycathumster
Sep 4, 2025

Really fun to play I really like how everyone I have played with has been very complementary and kind. I find that this app helps me calm down and make me focus and think while having fun Fun Really fun to play I really like how everyone I have played with has been very complementary and kind. I find that this app helps me calm down and make me focus and think while having fun

3eddie3reyes
Sep 3, 2025

Take away premoving since is not a fair game competing a computer user which allows multiple pre-moves in 0.1 seconds while the phone allowing One pre-move at a time resulting in losing in time all the time. Multiple pre-moves Take away premoving since is not a fair game competing a computer user which allows multiple pre-moves in 0.1 seconds while the phone allowing One pre-move at a time resulting in losing in time all the time.

App Details

Developer

Chess.com

Platform

ios

Rating

4.8

Last Updated

10/7/2025