# Chess - Play & Learn+ — user reviews > 55 indexed App Store user reviews of Chess by Chess.com, LLC, rated 3.75/5 from 4 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-play-and-learn-plus/id1553918083/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-play-and-learn-plus/id1553918083.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 1 ## Newest reviews (16 of 55) ### 2/5 — It’s just chess *2023-09-22* If you want an play chess with a random person (can’t be someone you know for some reason) or play against a computer. Then great! That’s what this app does. But that’s it. All those reviews from a year ago are still true. No change. Still no learning functions, no way to connect with friends. There are dozens of better chess apps. Don’t waste your time. Developers won’t update this game anytime soon. ### 3/5 — Decent *2023-02-27, version 1.0.3 (1)* i am a huge fan of chess. once i saw the arcade version i was super excited because i could practice on the boys without paying. we should be able to login though. ### 2/5 — Missing features *2023-01-06, version 1.0.3 (1)* I mainly have a chess app to play with friends in person and this game lacks both an option to select specific players or an option to play player v. Player forcing you to only play a computer or a randomly selected user. I also would like better move tips or a lesson mode. ### 3/5 — Good but rage quitters are ruining it! *2022-12-09, version 1.0.3 (1)* Hey I actually really like this game and app. I started playing online as well and have been enjoying that part even more. However, there needs to be more of a “stick” against people who repeatedly quit if they make a mistake. It’s annoying when people lose the queen early then quit. You should add a feature that takes double points for repeat resignations. **Developer response:** Thank you for this feedback. We have systems in place to detect when players quit games without resigning, and we're working to expand them! We never want players to have to wait without reason in games, when they could be playing more chess! :) ### 2/5 — Online mode isn’t formatted correctly *2022-10-08, version 1.0.3 (1)* I can’t play against actual people because the right part of my board can’t be seen in that mode. I can’t see my rook or pawn on the right side. ### 2/5 — Lacks learning features *2022-10-01, version 1.0.3 (1)* I recently started playing chess and had exclusively been using the arcade version of this app. I finally tried the App Store version after someone told me about the post-game analysis feature. I am extremely puzzled why we would get a less capable app in what’s supposed to be the premium arcade version. Worse, there is zero information that these features are missing. You do get all the bots unlocked for free, but this is not really all that helpful if you can’t learn from your mistakes. I see responses from the developer from 1 year ago saying they are working on adding additional features. There’s no work to be done. Just enable them. Otherwise just remove this version of the game. If I had started with the normal App Store version, at least I’d be aware that the post-game analysis feature existed for the last 6 months. I get you want to collect the $10+ a month for the post-game analysis feature, but the solution isn’t to give arcade users nothing. ### 2/5 — Why did they make this? *2022-09-07, version 1.0.3 (1)* Confused as to why there’s an Arcade and non-Arcade version of this app. Doesn’t appear you can play online without using you Game Center ID, and it doesn’t seem to have a way to sync that player data to their other app or web. I basically feel like I wasted time playing this instead of their non-Arcade app with the free content. ### 3/5 — A lot of fun but boring after a while *2022-09-01, version 1.0.3 (1)* I really enjoy chess, and the boys are all really fun until they are too hard. Therefore, making you play all the old bots again. After a while they become predictable and easy to beat. I feel like another thing they could add is a system where you can play against your friends, they have a feature where you can play online so I feel like it wouldn’t be to hard to implement the system. ### 3/5 — Less features than original app *2022-07-31, version 1.0.3 (1)* This Apple Arcade version has less features than the original app. The only thing it has more of is the bots. You unlock all bots but lose access to puzzles, lessons, videos, etc. If this app allowed you to have more lessons and puzzles per week/day than the original app, this app would be much better. ### 3/5 — Lack of options *2022-05-10, version 1.0.3 (1)* Good luck trying to customize anything. Castling only works in assisted mode and after like three moves trying to subdue a King, the game defaults to stalemte, who knows it those can be changed. ### 3/5 — Input is Odd *2022-02-26, version 1.0.3 (1)* Not sure what causes it but input for things are delayed or don’t work at all and I can’t figure out why. Seconds matter! I’ll try to move a piece and it won’t accept the moves multiple times until finally it does. ### 2/5 — Bare minimum functionality *2022-02-13, version 1.0.2 (2)* Lacks export of any game played and the ability to share the game. If you can at least allow the option of copying the moves played into the clipboard ### 2/5 — Two stars *2022-01-15, version 1.0.2 (2)* I gotta say 2 stars because I was playing the game earlier and I moved my pawn to block a checkmate and a pawn takes it but here’s the thing with that the pawn was nowhere near being able to take it Because u know how in order for a pawn to take a chess piece it has to be on the northwestern or the northeastern side right? Mine was behind it so it can’t get me but the pawn acts like it can And it wasn’t against a human it was against the system (I played against Antonio) **Developer response:** Hello, it sounds like this relates an uncommon move called "en passant". It can be very surprising the first time you see it. For more on this rare rule of chess, please take a look at this article: https://www.chess.com/terms/en-passant If you need anything just let us know at support@chess.com. :) ### 2/5 — It’s kinda chess *2022-01-12, version 1.0.2 (2)* 2 stars since it is technically almost a chess game. It claims to be a learning app but has no real learning capabilities and even the “mistake” or “blunder” pop up appears when really what you may have done was not a mistake if you’re trying to set something up. My other complaint with the game that makes me say it’s almost chess is that I have had many many games end because it says I have a draw when I’m only 2-3 moves from a checkmate which is infuriating. This pushes me more to other chess games on the AppStore (of which there are many) since there’s nothing really making this one unique and it doesn’t provide the teaching it claims. **Developer response:** Hello, we're working on adding additional features to this arcade version, which is still in its early stages. Related to this issue with draws in the end of games, could it be due to stalemate? Here is an article with more info: https://www.chess.com/terms/stalemate-chess Please write to us at support@chess.com for assistance if needed! ### 3/5 — It’s okay *2021-11-26, version 1.0.2 (2)* This is a good chess game but it definitely needs to have the content that is in the free version to make this a plus version. Also you can not castle in this game which is a move that needs to be added. ### 3/5 — It’s ok, uneven difficulty , audio issue *2021-10-26, version 1.0.2 (2)* Why does this stop the podcast audio when launching? I have to quit and restart the podcast player. Computer players seem to increase difficulty without changing player. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Play with friends. *2024-01-14* I don’t want random appointment. I don’t want a time limit. I don’t care about scores I just want to play with my friends and family. I’d like to start a game and come back to to it later. ### 1/5 — Many bugs and few features *2023-04-06* The app contains anonymous multiplayer, bots, and customization options while lacking lessons and other learning features. While not bad, the simplicity of the app leaves much to be desired. Additionally, after beating many of the bots three became timed at only two minutes. To my knowledge, there is no way to fix this issue within the app. Good luck beating Danya in only two minutes. ### 1/5 — Horrible! *2023-04-04* The fact that this is the paid version too is crazy. If you’ve read the other reviews, you’d know that this has absolutely nothing other than the outdated bots which are all the same. If you try playing online, either some of the columns are missing, or everything is invisible. This has no game review, no puzzles, challenges, analysis, or any other feature other than the bots and the buggy online. There is no reason to use this app instead of the normal one. I wouldn’t even get angry at the devs, but seriously? Fix your game ### 1/5 — Disappointing *2022-11-09, version 1.0.3 (1)* You would expect this to be a better version since this is part of apple arcade and yet it is the exact opposite. The rest of the reviews will tell you what I’m talking about and how this version just lacks features from the original, free version. I see no point of this app and am especially disappointed in the inability to play with friends. I do however look forward to any future updates that address this issue and make this as good or better than the free version. **Developer response:** Thank you for this feedback. We have some major updates to come which will include addition of training features and more! ### 1/5 — Slick until Online *2022-04-30, version 1.0.3 (1)* Starting working my way to re learn the game through bots. Entered multiplayer and the 8th column is not visible or interact-able. Maybe it is some extra hard mode never being able to use your right pawn and rook. ### 1/5 — Fake Advertising *2022-02-15, version 1.0.2 (2)* If you are going to advertise this app as a way to learn and play chess, then you need to have a mode in the app where you can learn to play chess. This app is just like the free version on the regular App Store except 98% of the content is not available. Honestly don’t waste your time with this and just download the free version or play it on a computer where you can actually learn to play. ### 1/5 — No friend-to-friend play ability *2022-01-21, version 1.0.2 (2)* Why is this Arcade version so basic compared to the regular version? I can’t play against my own friends in this version but I can in the free, regular version?!?? Ridiculous. What even is the point in this version over the other? ### 1/5 — Constant drop downs judging your moves makes this game unplayable *2021-12-14, version 1.0.2 (2)* This game constantly drop downs tell you “Mistake??” Or “Blunder”. It’s the equivalent of playing a game while someone watches and tells you every thing they think you did wrong. I’ve gone through all the settings and there is no way to turn it off. It just forces you to endure it’s commentary on every move you make and I absolutely hate it. Sad this is the only Chess game in Arcade. Hopefully they’ll add another soon that just lets you play chess. ### 1/5 — Why publish this? *2021-12-13, version 1.0.2 (2)* This is a clone of their free app without the premium features. You’d think because its on apple arcade the premium features would be included in this version but its still just the free version but with less functionality. You can’t even sign in to your account if you already have one. ### 1/5 — buggy *2021-12-01, version 1.0.2 (2)* this game is not polished. there is a way to take a pawn when it should not be possible. Which is really a bug. Playing online sometimes feels like you are playing a bot, for example if you take a long time to move, the opponent makes a move in milliseconds. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — New update *2024-01-10* The daily puzzle feature is a major update for the arcade app. Thank you! ### 5/5 — It’s great! *2022-07-10, version 1.0.3 (1)* This is a fantastic online chess game that is super safe even for the youngest to play. I’ve become a better chess player because of it! ### 5/5 — I appreciate this app *2021-07-30, version 1.0.1 (1)* This is a wonderful app… to the devs: There’s a bug whereby if you have a game going with a bot, leave the app and then return, the bot makes blunder after blunder… Just an FYI! Thanks for doing what you do ### 5/5 — Nice & Simplistic *2021-07-25, version 1.0.1 (1)* This is exactly what I was looking for when getting into chess. This app doesn’t try to do too much or stray too far from how it should be played in real life and I think it should be like that, love it. ### 5/5 — Black Bots Easy to Beat?? *2021-06-04, version 1.0.1 (1)* I love everything about this app. I got inspired to try it out after watching the streaming series but I don’t like/trust free apps. It’s worth it to me to have simple, instructive gameplay in a somewhat secure environment. Consider this 4.9 stars because although I truly appreciate the diverse bots it seems like the easier opponents happen to be Black. Maybe it’s just me. ### 5/5 — P&P plz *2021-05-20, version 1.0.1 (1)* Great game, tons of difficulty settings geared towards different types of players, has a small but diverse board and piece customization option. My only request is for it to add a pass and play option. ### 5/5 — Great game of chess *2021-04-21, version 1.0.1 (1)* Simple uncluttered and clean interface. I can play a computer opponent and feel challenged yet still win some games. Not tons of bells and whistles, but that’s what I like. I just want to play game every now and then. ### 5/5 — Great example of chess *2021-04-06, version 1.0.1 (1)* I previously wrote a review that was kind of harsh because the app just crashed when you launched it. However that has now been fixed and I can say that this is a very entertaining and accurate representation of chess. I now highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys playing chess or wants to learn how to play chess. Kudos to the developer for a quick turnaround on that bug fix. ### 4/5 — Add a play through feature *2021-12-29, version 1.0.2 (2)* When people resign from a game could you have that transfer to bot (after scoring) so I can see out my strategy? Or have it auto complete to see if I was one a good track? ### 4/5 — Gotten better! *2021-11-06, version 1.0.2 (2)* Connectivity issues seems to have gotten better --- *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.*