# Chess Duel — Play chess via WiFi

> Local WiFi chess game for two iOS devices. (iPhone/iPad app by Lothar Heinrich.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-duel/id905259249 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Lothar Heinrich](https://appshunter.io/developer/905259253)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.30/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 34 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.3 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany)
- Released: 2014-08-18
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-duel/id905259249/reviews.md

## What is Chess Duel?

Play chess with nearby friends via local WiFi.

Play with your iPhone against a friend with an iPhone. Each player is seeing the board from his point of view (white / black) on the own device. Works on iPhone, iPad and iPod.

To use the app, you need two devices with iOS 9.3 or newer. There is no engine included, which means that you can not play chess vs. this app. When you start chess duel on two devices, the devices do connect automatically. If WiFi is activated and the devices are nearby or they are on the same WiFi network. You don't need an account.
Connection over the internet is not possible.

Features

- play chess with nearby friends
- direct nearby peer to peer connection via WiFi or WiFi network, no chess server involved
- automatically connects via wifi
- you can safely close the app during a game, chess duel automatically resumes the game when reconnected
- on interruption due to a phone call or an incoming message, the game is paused on both devices and resumes when you get back to the app
- shows legal moves when you tap a chess piece
- does not use gamecenter
- no internet connection required
- time control: you can setup the chess clock arbitrary for white and black, increment is supported as well
- request takebacks, the opponent can accept or decline
- give opponent additional time
- universal app: iPhone / iPod / iPad
- best chess app for nearby connections


documentation:
snugdev.de/chessduel/documentation.html

## Key features

- Play chess with nearby friends
- Direct peer-to-peer WiFi connection
- Automatic WiFi connection
- Automatic game resume
- Legal move highlighting
- Customizable chess clock
- Request takebacks

## Recent user reviews (10 of 34)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-duel/id905259249/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Misleading

*2026-02-05, version 1.5*

Can’t play unless you connect via blue tooth

### 1/5 — Constant Connection Issues

*2024-09-21, version 1.5*

App used to be the best option to play chess with someone without having to pass one phone back and forth, but the connection has gotten worse and worse. The app pauses and has to search for a connection in between every move which makes it unplayable.

### 5/5 — Понравилось

*2021-09-01, version 1.5*

Великолепный дизайн, простейший интерфейс, для любителей простоты и лаконичности

### 4/5 — Super App

*2021-05-05, version 1.5*

Super App, die ich sehr gerne nitze. Eine kleine Anmerkung, kann es sein, dass das „en pssant“ Schlagen nicht implementiert ist?

### 5/5 — Works

*2020-09-16, version 1.5*

The most important function playing on two devices without internet connection works. An improvement would be to save the played games to allow the user to review old games.

### 1/5 — Nicht Funktionsfähig

*2019-07-28, version 1.5*

Die App hängt sich leider beim Einladen auf...😔

### 1/5 — Issues

*2019-05-13, version 1.5*

It isn’t working.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work.

*2018-09-23, version 1.4*

A friend and I downloaded the app, and it wouldn’t connect. We both sat right next to each other with our Bluetooth activated and the app couldn’t recognize the other player.

### 5/5 — Perfect! Exactly what we wanted!

*2018-07-11, version 1.4*

Wow! I hardly ever write app reviews, but in this case, I had to do it! This app is really well done, I did not find any bugs; it just worked perfectly!

- Connected both iPhones immediately and hassle-free 
- Simple and to the point. No gimmicks! Let's you focus on playing chess!
- You don't have to deal with silly online accounts, bugs in the app, ads, privacy concerns or paid subscriptions
- Just a perfect little app to play chess with your friends or family when a physical board is not available

I actually can't believe is free. We played for hours and found no issues. I would have gladly paid after trying it out, maybe the developer should offer an in-app purchase option for people to show their appreciation for the app!

### 1/5 — Broken

*2018-04-23*

Game rules break during almost every game. Waste of time.

## Frequently asked questions about Chess Duel

### What is Chess Duel?

Chess Duel is a mobile application that allows two players to play chess against each other using a local WiFi connection. It enables direct peer-to-peer connection between two iOS devices, meaning no internet connection or external servers are needed.

### How does Chess Duel connect players?

The app connects two devices automatically via WiFi, either directly or through a shared WiFi network. As long as WiFi is activated and the devices are in proximity or on the same network, they will connect without requiring an account or internet access.

### Is Chess Duel free to play?

Yes, Chess Duel is a free application. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, allowing for uninterrupted gameplay.

### What devices are compatible with Chess Duel?

Chess Duel is a universal app and works on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It requires iOS 9.3 or newer to function correctly.

### Can I play against the app itself?

No, Chess Duel does not include a chess engine, so you cannot play against the app. It is designed exclusively for two human players to compete against each other locally.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5 — 2019-05-08

Improved connection.

### 1.4 — 2017-07-12

- connection improvements (WiFi and bluetooth)
- if you have ideas to improve Chess Duel: send a mail to chessduel@snugdev.de

### 1.3 — 2015-04-14

New features
- mail games (pgn)
- copy games to clipboard (pgn)

Recent 30 games are available.

Tip of the day:
- some apps (e.g. Stockfish) recognize the pgn in the clipboard and offer to load the game
- you can select multiple games to mail or copy (pgn data of recent 30 games is available)
- games in progress can be copied to the clipboard
- for convenience you can enter your email address in the settings


Thanks to China and UK for the constructive feedback!

If you have more ideas to improve Chess Duel: send a mail to chessduel@snugdev.de

If you like Chess Duel --> rate it.

### 1.2 — 2015-02-07

Thank you all for your great feedback!!!

New with this version
- additional color themes
- better support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

### 1.1 — 2014-09-16

Thank you all for your great feedback!!!

This version comes up with great new features for all chess lovers :-)
- new board color schemes: grey and brown
- move list with figurine notation
- iPad: New Game and Set Chess Clock buttons
- input move via "tap tap"

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## Related topics

[lothar heinrich](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lothar-heinrich) · [lothar](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lothar)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*