# Chess-wise 3

> Comprehensive chess application for playing, analysis, and online interaction. (iPhone/iPad app by Marcel Nijman.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-wise-3/id788594027 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Marcel Nijman](https://appshunter.io/developer/337888122)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.60/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 59 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 42 MB
- Languages: American English, Dutch
- Released: 2014-02-07
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-wise-3/id788594027/reviews.md

## What is Chess?

With Chess-wise 3 you can play chess, analyse games, annotate game notations, play online, solve exercises, watch training videos and much more.

- Games are represented as trees, so they can have side-lines. This means when analysing moves, this will not anymore overwrite the moves of the main game
- On the new annotation screen, you can add comments and !! - or ?? to the moves
- The communication with the FICS server has been complete rewritten and is now much more stable
- The FICS interface has more features (support for multiple accounts, iMessage-like chatting, friend list)
- Improved database (re-order games in a PGN file) and setup screen (move pieces on the board)
- Landscape views for the opening and endgame browser, showing the possible moves next to the board
- Over 250 links to free training videos
- Separate screen to select the pieces orientation, when playing with 2 players
- Help file with tutorial for each major use case

Each screen has been re-designed to give a better user experience, focussing on the main actions that people want to do on that screen.

Any suggestions for further improvements (as well as bug reports) are welcome at info@chess-wise.com

## Key features

- Game tree representation with side-lines
- Detailed game annotation
- Stable FICS server communication
- Enhanced FICS interface
- Improved database and setup screen
- Opening and endgame browser
- Links to training videos

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock PRO | $5.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 59)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-wise-3/id788594027/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Adjourned games get stuck

*2024-02-29, version 3.5.0*

The Adjourned games get stuck at 16 because of bad connection and the game won’t let you play after that. Hard to resolve that issue.

### 1/5 — Last version has a big bug

*2021-03-05, version 3.5.0*

The latest version is faulty.  I now cannot contact FICS.  It won’t allow me to add a FICS account and when I try to log on as a guest the program stops.  Fix ASAP.

### 1/5 — Querem que pague novamente pelo jogo que eu já comprei

*2020-09-25, version 3.5.0*

Já havia comprado este aplicativo, porém precisei trocar de aparelho e reinstalar-lo novamente, e agora para utilizá-lo com as funções desbloqueadas está pedindo para comprar o jogo novamente.

### 5/5 — congratulation for this application is so interesting

*2020-06-03, version 3.5.0*

five stars for the accessibility to blind people using this application

### 2/5 — FCIS Almost Unplayable Lag

*2020-02-26, version 3.5.0*

When it works, it works great.  But half of the times, the FCIS option where I want to play speed chess against others — the lag of device input renders playing not possible. Sometimes hard booting my iPhone XR and then relaunching the ChessWise app seem to solve the issue, but recently that doesn’t appear to do much anymore.

### 3/5 — Era muito melhor

*2020-01-05, version 3.5.0*

Atualmente não existe campo de busca pra encontrar um jogador dificultando muito 
Com a última atualização atrapalhou muito a funcionalidade nesse ponto

### 5/5 — Update

*2019-04-22, version 3.5.0*

Hello sir
I am in waiting for the next update of this app
I am visually impaired and it is one of the best  application for visually impaired people

### 5/5 — Reale good App

*2019-01-31, version 3.5.0*

Playing on FICS is very good, Even on LTE. Cannot follow the critics on difficult connections. Good Board and functionslity on free App. Recommend it.

### 1/5 — Used to be better

*2019-01-22, version 3.5.0*

Despite paying for the app, functionality has been reduced over time, e.g. you cannot jump to positions anymore in analysis. Normally, features are added over time, I cannot see anything useful which was added in the last years. Also, the app often disconnects from Fics despite strong wireless signal. Could be the Fics servers though. Regarding Fics: the chat-disabling is totally annoying.

### 4/5 — Decent app, needs One improvement

*2018-12-17, version 3.5.0*

Overall I like this app. Pretty much everything works, but I have a problem changing the level of difficulty in the settings. It is not accessible to a screen reader and probably needs to be redone so that it is accessible. I’m told it’s a drop-down menu but I can’t access or change it from the hardest level as it’s set as the default.

## Frequently asked questions about Chess

### What can I do with Chess-wise 3?

Chess-wise 3 allows you to play chess, analyze your games with detailed annotations, and play online against others. It also includes features for solving exercises, watching training videos, and managing your game database.

### How does Chess-wise 3 handle game analysis?

Games are represented as trees, enabling the analysis of side-lines without overwriting main game moves. The annotation screen allows you to add comments and symbols to specific moves, providing a rich way to review your games.

### Is Chess-wise 3 free to use?

The application is free to download and use, with the option for in-app purchases. This model allows users to access core features for free while offering additional content or functionalities through purchases.

### What platforms is Chess-wise 3 available on?

While the provided description doesn't explicitly state compatibility, it is described as a mobile application, implying availability on common mobile operating systems like iOS and Android.

### Can I play chess online with Chess-wise 3?

Yes, the app features a significantly rewritten and stable communication with the FICS server, allowing you to play chess online. The FICS interface also supports multiple accounts and has an iMessage-like chatting feature.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.5.0 — 2018-10-17

- compatible with currently available iPhones and iPads
- import games from clipboard
- retrieve forgotten Multi password
PRO:
- peek button for blind chess

### 3.4.1 — 2017-10-30

- auto-reply captures in Multi games
- online indicator in Multi
- more videos

### 3.3.8 — 2017-03-19

- minor bugs fixed
- more videos

### 3.3.7 — 2017-03-16

- minor bugs fixed
- more videos

### 3.3.3 — 2017-01-31

- improved FICS stability
- FICS profile button on playing screen

## Apps similar to Chess

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Emoji - Tic Tac Toe](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emoji-tic-tac-toe/id1354480480) | 4.6 (180) | Free | Games |
| [将棋ノート](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1170925520) | — | Free | Games |
| [Word Find - Cross Game Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-find-cross-game-puzzle/id939288620) | 2.5 (2) | Free | Games |
| [Xmas Ludo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xmas-ludo/id763361920) | 4.0 (8) | Free | Games |
| [Playing Dice](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playing-dice/id1241270060) | — | Free | Games |
| [100 Squares](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/100-squares/id289002920) | 3.0 (1) | Free | Games |

## More apps by Marcel Nijman

- [Game Time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-time/id343132477)
- [Checker-wise](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checker-wise/id351304657)
- [Blind Chess Trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blind-chess-trainer/id436753257)
- [Frisian draughts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frisian-draughts/id625085356)
- [FRYSK](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frysk/id1023115416)

All apps by Marcel Nijman: https://appshunter.io/developer/337888122

## Related topics

[marcel nijman](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/marcel-nijman)

---

*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 2026-08-22.*