# Chess Server

> Free FICS chess client with professional pieces and minimal interface for iOS. (iPhone/iPad app by Adrian Hanft.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-server/id998153813 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Adrian Hanft](https://appshunter.io/developer/395435271)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.50/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 7.1 · 2 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2015-06-11
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-server/id998153813/reviews.md

## What is Chess Server?

Finally there is an app for playing chess on the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS) worthy of an Apple device. No more ugly pieces, clunky interfaces, or flakey connections. 

And best of all, it is free. No ads, no in-app purchases, no membership fees. 

The interface is minimal and very easy to use. The pieces are professional and optimized for Retina devices. Care was taken to ensure a great experience across the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices.

Chess Server's Features Include:
- Play as a guest or FICS member
- Play rated or unrated games
- Watch the top rated players live 24 hours a day
- Chat with opponents
- Easy control the parameters of your game invitations
- Auto login for nearly instant connection to FICS
- 

Keeping this app free is my way of giving back to the chess community that have supported my apps. If you like it, you can thank me by installing Chess Puzzles Pro, or Grandmaster Archive. 

If you have suggestions for improvements, I welcome your feedback. With your help, this app will become the preferred app of the thousands of FICS members.

## Key features

- Play as guest or FICS member
- Rated or unrated games
- Watch top players live
- Chat with opponents
- Easy game invitation control
- Auto login for instant connection

## Recent user reviews (10 of 10)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-server/id998153813/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Great app- needs a small fix

*2021-11-27*

This app could fill an important niche- an iPhone FICS client.  The inability to choose a game without increments is an annoyance, and I wouldn’t expect all features of FICS to be implemented, but there is not enough functionality in this app to permit two players who know each other to find each other for a game.

### 2/5 — Nice UI but limited time controls

*2018-12-12, version 1.0*

The UI is nice but 95% of games on FICS have a time control with zero time increment and this app doesn't allow you to play them. So you'll sit for a while waiting.

### 4/5 — Good 'Nuf

*2018-08-04, version 1.0*

Prog. works well.  Does not show game notation or allow for saving games to .pgn files.  Suggest users hoping to review games after play note game moves themselves with pen/paper.  It's not as slick as any of the clients you may routinely use to play on FICS at your computer but it gets the job done nice-enough with but that one caveat about being sure to record your games by hand if you hope to review your play after the game.

### 4/5 — Really good but i have a few suggestions

*2018-07-20, version 1.0*

I appreciate the effort that you put in this app, really. God bless you for having the courage and heart to make this app free. The app is pretty good but i have a few suggestions. The UI is a little small for my iphone so I was wondering if you could redo the UI using the native UI. I dont know what framework your using, but Im willing to help you if its through Xamarin. Another thing is that i cant specify a 0 second increment for games. Also I need to drag the pieces where it would be a lot easier for me to tap where i want the piece to go. Thanks for the app!!

### 1/5 — Needs work

*2018-04-11*

Waiting for opponent to move, screen went dark, went back to app, game gone and no way to get back to it.

### 4/5 — Very nice.

*2017-11-13, version 1.0*

Pros: clean interface. 
Cons: the board could be bigger. Should have more color contrast between white and black pieces. Does not allow choice of piece when promoting a pawn (auto promote to queen only)

### 2/5 — Lacking

*2017-02-04, version 1.0*

No 0 increments has to be 1 sec or more
No game mode
Can't use formula

### 3/5 — FICS Features

*2017-02-03, version 1.0*

Nice unobtrusive interface. However, it lacks the "seek" feature to view and accept challenges.

### 5/5 — Nice looking app

*2016-04-21, version 1.0*

Nice small app with clean design.  It would be great if you could find opponents by name please?

### 4/5 — So far so good!

*2015-10-29, version 1.0*

Definitely a lightweight and clean interface! I play on a 6+ and it looks pretty good. Some of the navigating and tapping isnt as responsive as i'd like but i cant tell if its my connection or what. I'd love to be able to view my profile and ratings.  Otherwise this is a great start to something that i believe WILL be the preferred fics client on ios

## Frequently asked questions about Chess Server

### Does Chess Server have ads?

No, Chess Server is completely free with no advertisements or in-app purchases.

### What devices does Chess Server support?

Chess Server is designed for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices.

### Can I play Chess Server offline?

No, Chess Server requires an internet connection to play on the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS).

### How do I connect to FICS with Chess Server?

You can play as a guest or log in with your FICS member account. The app features auto-login for nearly instant connection.

### What are the game modes in Chess Server?

You can play rated or unrated games against other FICS users. You can also watch top-rated players live.

### What is the age rating for Chess Server?

Chess Server has an age rating of 4+.

### How often is Chess Server updated?

The app was last updated on June 11, 2015, with version 1.0.

### What do users think of Chess Server?

Chess Server has a rating of 3.5 stars from 10 ratings.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2015-06-11

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

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## More apps by Adrian Hanft

- [Eugene Chess HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eugene-chess-hd/id418816633)
- [Kasparov's Choice: 100 Influential Chess Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kasparovs-choice-100-influential-chess-games/id428875551)
- [Free Chess Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free-chess-puzzles/id467956454)
- [Ghost-O-Meter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghost-o-meter/id476468510)
- [Grungy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grungy/id595550299)

All apps by Adrian Hanft: https://appshunter.io/developer/395435271

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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.*