# Chess Only — Improve your chess by playing

> Ad-free chess training app with instant analysis and human-like engine. (iPhone/iPad app by Young-Jo Song.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-only/id1569045693 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Young-Jo Song](https://appshunter.io/developer/1569045695)
- Category: Games, Education, Board, Puzzle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.97/5 from 29 App Store ratings · 24 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2021-05-25
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-only/id1569045693/reviews.md

## What is Chess Only?

No ads. No network. No gimmicks. Chess Only!
Instant analysis tells you why a move is good or poor instantly.
Human-like engine gives you tactical puzzles; playing is studying.

- optimized for saving battery power
- human-like engine offering draw/resign (Elo 400 ~ 2500)
- evaluation bar with blunder alert
- try moves out of game play
- instant game analysis and hint
- game save to a pgn file
- over-the-board mode
- e-board (Millennium ChessLink) support

## Key features

- Instant game analysis
- Tactical puzzles
- Human-like engine (Elo 400-2500)
- Evaluation bar with blunder alert
- Try moves out of game play
- PGN file saving
- Over-the-board mode

## Recent user reviews (10 of 24)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-only/id1569045693/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great for improving my ability to see blunders

*2025-12-25, version 1.27*

Being able to back up and try other variations is a great feature. Best of all, a truly free app!

### 5/5 — Just chess

*2024-10-01, version 1.0.3*

Just plays chess, can be very hard to beat on higher levels, no gimmicks, just chess. For anyone who played Chessmaster running the king engine, it has that kind of style, quite human at times, if it blunders and you miss it the engine will come back stronger. I do like the fact the engine will resign (you can refuse) or offer a draw, makes it feel much more natural. A note to the dev, the buttons are there to save a game as pgn file but can’t seem to locate the file in the files app on iPad, any ideas?

### 5/5 — Almost perfect!

*2024-05-18*

That's the app I’ve been looking for. Thanks for putting time and effort into it 🙌 The only thing missing is an option to configure the time when creating a new game (including games with no time).

**Developer response:** Thanks a lot for the feedback. Just letting you know 1.0 is now released, which has “blitz” speed, meaning “as quick as possible”. For player’s time, it’s there for reference purpose only, no penalty by time spent.

### 1/5 — Garbage chess

*2024-04-18, version 0.2.5*

Placed opponent in check mate multiple times and app decides to say stalemate. Stupid computer can’t win and doesn’t want to give any points so it gives stalemate. Very disappointing app.  In two moves the computer says stalemate.

### 5/5 — The only app to have for chess

*2023-12-29, version 0.2.5*

Real good, Just chess 
without endless popups adds of machine gun games and slot machines flashing in your face and cockblocking the function controls

### 4/5 — Ideale kleine Schach-App für zwischendurch

*2023-11-16, version 0.2.5*

Ich nutze Chess Only sehr gerne für Zwischendurch. Man kann die eigene Stärke quasi stufenlos einstellen und die App ist dann immer etwas stärker eingestellt als man selbst - so soll das sein. Der „Trainer“ schaltet sich bei Bedarf ein, wenn man einen schlechten Zug durchführen möchte oder „lobt“ einen guten Zug. Und auch den Modus „Try out“ finde ich toll - das kenne ich so von keiner anderen Schach-App. 
Gut fände ich noch, wenn man eine Partie oder eine Stellung in die App laden könnte.
Dann wäre ich glücklich. 
Fazit: Für mich als Anfänger ideal und bestimmt haben auch Fortgeschrittene Spaß an Chess Only.

————

I really like using Chess Only for in-between games. You can set your own strength almost infinitely and the app is then always set a little stronger than you are - that's how it should be. The "trainer" switches on when necessary if you want to make a bad move or "praises" a good move. I also think the "Try out" mode is great - I don't know of any other chess app like this.
I would also like it if you could load a game or a position into the app.
Then I would be happy.
Conclusion: Ideal for me as a beginner and I'm sure advanced players will also enjoy Chess Only.

### 5/5 — Exposing kids to chess doesn’t have to expose them to ads

*2023-09-15, version 0.2.5*

This is a great app to not microtransaction chess to death. 

Works well, has analysis aids if desired as well as not. Plays close enough to humans at various elos to not be a bad mismatch.

### 5/5 — Very Good!

*2023-09-08, version 0.2.5*

I like how it rates your play and you improve over time. There are no replays to change the outcomes.  Also no ads. Just pure Chess to help your brain and analyze and solve problems.

### 3/5 — Board offset

*2023-07-24, version 0.2.5*

1/3 of the board is shifted to the right out of screen.

### 5/5 — No nonsense

*2023-03-30*

Best free chess app if you don’t want advertising!

## Frequently asked questions about Chess Only

### What does Chess Only do?

Chess Only is a dedicated application designed to help users improve their chess skills. It provides instant game analysis, tactical puzzles generated by a human-like engine, and features to try out moves without consequence.

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

Key features include instant game analysis with a blunder alert, a human-like engine that offers draw/resign options and spans Elo 400 to 2500, the ability to try moves out of game play, PGN file saving, and an over-the-board mode.

### Is Chess Only free to use?

Yes, Chess Only is a free application. It explicitly states 'No ads. No network. No gimmicks.' and does not mention any in-app purchases or subscription models.

### What kind of chess engine does Chess Only use?

The app utilizes a human-like engine that is designed to provide realistic gameplay and analysis. This engine is capable of offering draw or resign options and covers a wide Elo range from 400 to 2500, making it suitable for players of various skill levels.

### Who would benefit from using Chess Only?

Chess players of all levels, from beginners to advanced players, can benefit from Chess Only. It is particularly useful for those who want to analyze their games, practice tactical situations, and improve their understanding of chess strategy without distractions.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.29 — 2026-06-07

- fix broken UI by Accessibility Show Borders or Button Shapes. (Thanks to Kishan)

### 1.28 — 2026-01-02

- improved menu response on iOS 26

### 1.27 — 2025-12-18

- pawn promotion popup position fix when board flipped

### 1.26 — 2025-08-10

- New Game window renovation
- Settings window added
- Move Sound notification
- Millennium ChessLink support

### 1.25 — 2025-08-03

- New Game window renovation
- Settings window added
- Move Sound notification
- Millennium ChessLink support

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## Related topics

[hiarcs chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hiarcs-chess)

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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 2026-06-10.*