# Chess Genius — user reviews

> 152 indexed App Store user reviews of Chess Genius by Lang Software Limited, rated 3.90/5 from 10 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-genius/id294631172/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-genius/id294631172.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 6 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 2

## 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- 📉 Outdated graphics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

## Newest reviews (15 of 152)

### 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!

### 3/5 — Not working with iOS 14.3

*2020-12-24, version 4.1.00*

Very nice app, but unfortunately not working any more.
Update would be welcome!

### 3/5 — Bon jeu

*2017-11-09, version 4.1.00*

Cependant, interface moyenne peu pratique, appellation des ouvertures erronée !!

### 3/5 — Pluses and minuses on interface

*2017-03-29, version 4.1.00*

There are a lot of options for chess engines.  The icons for the pieces need an upgrade here.  I found only one of six appealing.  

Two have lo res graphics, which is unacceptable for a premium priced app.  One set is ugly, and the Russian set is two shades of grey, without enough contrast.  

The list of captured pieces is nice, and surprisingly missing from a lot of other apps.

### 5/5 — Thx for app

*2015-06-24, version 4.0.0*

Best and easy

### 5/5 — still great after all these years

*2015-04-17, version 4.0.0*

i wrote my first review for chessgenius in 2008. at that time i was new to iphone. the most recent app update compliments my 6 Plus hardware and continues to deliver challenging chess. this chess app is one of a small group of chess apps that i use frequently.

### 5/5 — Der Klassiker

*2015-03-21, version 4.0.0*

Schlicht, stark, solide.

### 5/5 — This is the best chess app.

*2015-02-04, version 4.0.0*

There is no one that alter this app. It is awesome!

### 4/5 — Хорошо

*2015-01-15, version 4.0.0*

В целом приложение устраивает но подвисает.

### 5/5 — Awesome game

*2014-11-16, version 4.0.0*

But we need update for iOS 8

### 5/5 — Great app

*2014-11-04, version 4.0.0*

This chess is great. I highly recommend it to anyone.

### 3/5 — Ganz passabel und in jeder Hinsicht "grundsolide"!

*2014-10-31, version 4.0.0*

Gut: Universal-App; der Genius-typische positionelle Spielstil

Die Oberfläche wurde verbessert - im Querformat hat man nun Menüzugriff, schön!

Schade: Die Eröffnungsbibliothek ist im Vergleich zu anderen Programmen sehr begrenzt. Bedienung durch Gesten - z.B. Wischen zum Vor- und Zurückspielen - fehlt.

### 4/5 — Ne montre pas les pièces prises...

*2014-05-26, version 3.2.00*

Dommage que sur IPad les pièces prise ne sont pas visible comme c'est le cas sur l'application pour Androïde...
Manque de choix de style échiquier et pièce pour le prix !
Inter fais très moyenne, date un peut...!
Sinon tous semble bien...

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 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!

### 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.

### 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

### 1/5 — Not good

*2013-12-07, version 3.2.00*

Graphical improvement is needed. Very bad quality. Opening lines are cut in the landscape mode, Chess pieces are not that 'HD' as it says. and when playing you can feel that the app is little buggy when moving a piece.  More importantly, no updates to fix these problems. They just add support to the new iOS and wait for other buyers. 

I think developer is quite a bit lazy. Just consider buying other apps.

### 1/5 — Chess genius

*2013-11-04, version 3.2.00*

This is a terrible app.I could only play one game and there are no icons to start another game or to make any adjustments.It a bit better on the iPhone,I give this app a zero.

### 1/5 — Хрень

*2013-02-28, version 3.1.01*

Абсолютный глюк: у программы не появляется никаких меню вообще. После закончмвшейся партии навек осталась позиция и никакой возможности продолжать работу. Весь экран обтыкал и никакой жизни.

### 1/5 — WORTHLESS!!!!

*2012-01-07, version 3.0*

Ok I bought this for 8$ thinking this is the strongest chess app out there. So I decided I'd put it up to the test! I played chess genius on the hardest and longest game possible and played against the SHREDDAR app! It takes the "genius" about 5 minutes per move and shredder takes about 20-30 seconds!!! So I played them against each other and shredder won EVERYTIME!!! I wasted my money so please get shredder and don't waste yours!!!!!

### 1/5 — Really poor app

*2011-05-07, version 3.0*

Just bought for 5 pounds after reading great reviews.  It was useless.  Not a friendly app to configure or use.  Mistake to buy this.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — What happened?

*2024-04-19, version 4.1.00*

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

### 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.

### 5/5 — Отличный уровень игры компьютера

*2019-07-06, version 4.1.00*

Очень сильная программа, рекомендую. Попробуйте обыграть.

### 5/5 — Update iPhone X

*2019-06-17, version 4.1.00*

Super Schach Programm / gibt es denn noch in absehbarer Updates z.B. Bildschirm Anpassung iPhone X? 
Ich habe gesehen, dass seit über 2 Jahren keine aktuelle Version erschienen ist.

### 5/5 — Perfect für I-Phone

*2017-12-05, version 4.1.00*

Endlich ein adequates Schachspiel, das einen fordert. Über Permanent Brain und Hushtables bis 32MB hat man so ziemlich alle Stärken abgedeckt. Nachteil dabei, der Akku arbeitet permanent und ist in relativ kurzer Zeit bei meinem SE leer. Ich hab’s nur mal ausprobiert, habe aber diese Stärke bei weitem nicht. Diese Einschränkung bzgl. der Akku-Laufzeit gilt nur bei aktiviertem permanent brain und 32MB hushtables.

### 5/5 — C'est Mephisto c'est R.Lang !

*2017-11-29, version 4.1.00*

Pour les fans d'echecs électroniques de la première heure, Chess Genius c'est "Mephisto" la gamme de jeux plusieurs fois championne du monde dans les années 80-90. C'est juste magique de trouver Chess Genius à ce prix sur iPhone !!! Merci M. Lang de continuer à nous faire rêver sur iOs ;-)

Merci Richard pour cette nouvelle mise à jour 😉 Super sympa de maintenir cette merveille de logiciel 👍🏻 !

### 5/5 — A portable Full-Strength chess engine

*2016-10-20, version 4.1.00*

Hands down the best chess related thing you can have on your phone. When used thoughtfully this is a powerful learning tool that world champions would kill for back in the day. A must purchase for chess enthusiasts.

### 5/5 — En iyisi

*2016-05-05, version 4.0.0*

Ios için satıralar arasında bence en iyisi. Dünyaca ünlü ustanın programı. 30 saniye altında gücü düşüyor. açılış kitaplığı çok iyi. Oyun sonu perfekt. Kullanım fena değil. Online işlemler yok

### 5/5 — Longtime fan

*2015-10-26, version 4.0.0*

Chess Genius is a great app. 

On my iPhone 6s when playing strength is set to "instant" and permanent brain off, CG beats Hiarcs set to 2300 on my iPad Air 2.

One area of improvement might be to adjust the playing level options or dynamically adapt the level descriptions to the power of the CPU/GPU because the first level after easy is now master on the latest iPhone. 

Thanks for all the hours of chess fun and learning.

### 5/5 — Long Time Fan

*2015-09-03, version 4.0.0*

A long time and loyal Richard Lang fan.  The author will be in the chess programmers Hal of Fame if they ever create one.   His chess programs dominated the chess programming world in the late 80's and early 90's. 
All the best Richard!

Ps one of the few chess apps that display the board/menu correctly while using hotspot.

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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.*