# Chess Genius

> Award-winning chess program with strong AI, multiple levels, and game analysis tools. (iPhone/iPad app by Lang Software Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-genius/id294631172 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Lang Software Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/294631175)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Strategy
- Price: $5.99
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 152 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, European Spanish
- Released: 2008-11-08
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-genius/id294631172/reviews.md

## What is Chess Genius?

ChessGenius, award winning chess program. Superb playing strength. The author's chess programs have won ten World Championships. Packed with features for beginners and experts:

* Simple, elegant user interface

* Powerful, compact and fast

* Hundreds of playing levels including easy, blitz and tournament levels. Network connection not required

* Displays thinking. Who is winning, by how much and the moves that ChessGenius is planning. Also Chess clocks, Captured pieces and Opening name. e.g. B12 Caro-Kann

* Save/load games in PGN format. Send games by email. Set-up position

* Easy import / export of PGN database files with iTunes file sharing

* Hint, Show legal moves and Tutor. ChessGenius can warn if a blunder/weak move is played and give the option of take back

* Unlimited take back and step forward

* Play against ChessGenius. Also 2 player, self play and analysis mode

* Optional display of captured pieces and count of positions searched

* Game is restored after exit and restart

* All functions work in Portrait and Landscape

## Key features

- Hundreds of playing levels
- Displays thinking and analysis
- Save/load games in PGN format
- Hint and Tutor features
- Unlimited take back
- 2 player and self-play modes

## What do users think of Chess Genius?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 💪 Strong chess engine
- 🧠 Good for learning and practice
- ✨ Classic and well-established program
- 👍 Simple and effective interface
- 🚀 Fast performance
- 💡 Good analysis features
- 🔄 Supports PGN import/export
- 🌟 High replayability

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 📉 Outdated graphics
- 🐌 Slow updates
- ⚠️ Incompatible with newer iOS versions
- ❓ Confusing interface/menus
- 🔋 High battery consumption (with specific settings)
- 💰 Perceived as expensive by some
- ❌ Lacks modern features (e.g., Elo rating, online play)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently, especially when ending games
- Cannot access settings
- App crashes when starting new game or changing settings
- Not working with iOS 17
- Not working with iOS 14.3
- Not working with iOS 6
- Menu buttons not working
- No menus appear after a game
- Opening names are incorrect
- Graphical issues (low-res, contrast issues)
- Pieces are cut off in landscape mode
- App feels buggy when moving pieces
- No ELO selection
- No strong selection
- Design for iPad is terrible
- Next best move feature sometimes unavailable
- Rule flaw: King can castle after being in check

**Most requested features**

- Update for iOS compatibility
- Refresh and update the app
- Take advantage of iOS file app features
- Specify opening repertoire training
- Don't let playing style be trainer/hint man
- Improve graphics and piece sets
- Add ELO rating selection
- Add more opening book content
- Implement gesture controls (swipe for undo/redo)
- Add audible check/checkmate sounds
- Add opponent faces to computer levels
- Support for PGN download via email/internet
- Improve landscape mode functionality
- Add more analysis functions
- Add board coordinates display
- Add rating estimator
- Add more time control options
- Option to disable auto screen off
- Option to show captured pieces
- Option to auto-flip board in two-player mode
- Mac version of desktop program
- Dark mode option
- More board colors and piece sets
- Online play functionality

## Recent user reviews (10 of 152)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-genius/id294631172/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Bugs!

*2024-06-10, version 4.1.00*

I've been using chess genius on android for years now, switching to ios, I purchased the app for USD6 today, but it chashes so much! you cannot even end a game without being crashed on the app. STUPID!

### 1/5 — Berbat

*2024-06-10, version 4.1.00*

İphone 14 kullanıyorum! Oyun bozuk! Ayarlara girilmiyor ve kendiliğinden oyundan atıyor!

### 5/5 — What happened?

*2024-04-19, version 4.1.00*

I can’t play any more. The application not working with IOS 17.

### 1/5 — Buggy app, always crashes

*2024-03-18, version 4.1.00*

App always crashes when you try starting a new game or change setting.

### 5/5 — Just gives us a refresh and update

*2024-03-11, version 4.1.00*

It’s working good. Nice platform and image. But it’s about time just to refresh and update.  PLEASE! I’m giving it 5 stars now, because it’s still very good.

### 1/5 — Buggy app, always crashes

*2024-01-08*

App always crashes when you try starting a new game or change setting

### 1/5 — Sad. Once celebrated engine

*2023-06-03, version 4.1.00*

Don’t waste your time here

### 4/5 — Almost perfect

*2022-12-14, version 4.1.00*

For a 1.4 MB app very strong!!
Of course stockfish and other engines are stronger but for the average under 2300 players is perfect for practicing. Love it!! Amazing work for the creator 

Wish it was updated so it could take advantage of iOS file app features to easy transfer and access files instead of iTunes very slow and annoying 

Highly recommend it to u2200 players who need a sparring partner to practice or learn new opening lines

### 3/5 — Jesús

*2021-08-29, version 4.1.00*

Como se accede a la bas de datos

### 4/5 — Very nice!

*2021-03-17, version 4.1.00*

Runs well on iOS 14. Three stars would be unfair so I gave four. Todo/wishlist: 1. specify opening thingy, so that I can play/train against the program in my preferred repertoire easily. 2. don't let the style that you're playing against be the trainer/hint man also - they might be idiots (as chosen) to!

## Frequently asked questions about Chess Genius

### What does Chess Genius do?

Chess Genius is an award-winning chess program designed for players of all skill levels. It offers a powerful AI with hundreds of playing levels, game analysis features, and tools to help users improve their game, such as hints and a tutor mode.

### What are the key features of Chess Genius?

Key features include a simple interface, hundreds of playing levels, real-time game analysis (showing who is winning and planned moves), PGN save/load functionality, hint and tutor options, unlimited take-backs, and multiple play modes including 2-player and self-play.

### How much does Chess Genius cost?

Based on the provided information, Chess Genius is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### Is Chess Genius compatible with my device?

The description does not specify exact compatibility details like operating system versions. However, it mentions that all functions work in both Portrait and Landscape orientations, suggesting it is designed for mobile devices.

### Can I use Chess Genius offline?

Yes, the description explicitly states that a network connection is not required, meaning you can play and utilize all features of Chess Genius offline.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.1.00 — 2016-08-05

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Bigger, deeper opening book. Bigger by a factor of 2.5
New adjustable playing levels with Fischer clock

### 4.0.0 — 2014-10-30

The user interface has been rewritten for iOS 7 and 8
Native resolution support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
All functions now work in Portrait and Landscape
New Piece sets, Board colors and patterns
Optional display of captured pieces
Optional count of positions searched
Adjustable Hash table size for stronger play

### 3.2.00 — 2013-09-28

Bug fixes. Now compatible with iOS 7.

### 3.1.01 — 2012-10-25

Bug fixes

### 3.1 — 2012-10-22

Bug fixes for iOS 6.
Easy import / export of database files with iTunes file sharing.

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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 2026-09-07.*