# OpenChess: An Opening Explorer — Learn Chess Openings

> Learn and practice chess openings with AI and detailed positional analysis. (iPhone/iPad app by David Bryant.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openchess-an-opening-explorer/id6504700904 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [David Bryant](https://appshunter.io/developer/1559648957)
- Category: Games, Education, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 57 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2024-10-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openchess-an-opening-explorer/id6504700904/reviews.md

## What is OpenChess?

Learn chess openings with OpenChess: An Opening Explorer. Play against the computer, or play as both sides, and be shown the lines that are within any opening that you are interested in learning. Want to learn the Sicilian Defense or the Queen’s Gambit? Choose that category and play against that a computer that only follows lines within that opening category. Wany to focus on learning all of the openings that start with a specific move, such as pawn to “e4”? This category can also be selected, and you can play against a computer that only plays lines that start with “e4”. The chess engine in this app is not Stockfish, and it does not look very far ahead. It is meant to provide a decent base evaluation and allow the majority of the reason behind the evaluation of the current position to be shown to the user. The following information can be shown to the user: 

•	Positional advantages for each piece type (pawn, knight, bishop, rook, queen and king) 
•	Piece value advantages for each color
•	Mobility scores for each piece where mobility plays a big role (bishop, rook, queen, king)
•	Pawn advantages and disadvantages (passed pawns, isolated pawns, backwards pawns, doubled pawns)
•	Total value of pieces attacked by each color as well as total value of pieces defended by each color

A lot of chess games are won and lost within the opening moves, this app was designed to help players learn solid openings that either help them gain a winning advantage out of the opening, or at the very least help them not lose due to the opening moves played. 

Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Learn specific chess openings
- Play against AI focused on opening lines
- Analyze positional advantages
- Evaluate piece values and mobility
- Understand pawn structure
- Track defended and attacked pieces

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tarrasch Defense Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Trompowsky Attack Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Scandinavian Defense Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Three Knights Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Zukertort Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Van't Kruijs Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vienna Game Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ware Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Opening Explorer | $4.99 | one-time |
| OpenChess Premium | $19.99 | one-time |



## Frequently asked questions about OpenChess

### What is OpenChess?

OpenChess is an application designed to help players learn and practice chess openings. It allows you to play against a computer that focuses on specific opening lines and provides detailed analysis of the position.

### How does OpenChess help me learn openings?

You can choose to learn specific defenses like the Sicilian Defense or Queen's Gambit, or focus on openings starting with a particular move. The AI will only play lines within your selected category.

### What kind of analysis does OpenChess provide?

The app offers insights into positional advantages for each piece type, piece value differences between colors, mobility scores, pawn structure analysis, and the total value of attacked and defended pieces.

### Is the chess engine in OpenChess very strong?

The chess engine is not Stockfish and does not look very far ahead. It is designed to provide a decent base evaluation and explain the reasoning behind the current position's evaluation to the user.

### What devices does OpenChess support?

OpenChess is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod, making it accessible on a range of Apple mobile devices.

### What is the age rating for OpenChess?

OpenChess has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players interested in learning chess.

### When was OpenChess last updated?

The latest version of OpenChess was updated on June 9, 2025, indicating ongoing development and support for the application.

### Does OpenChess have ads?

No, OpenChess does not contain advertisements, providing an uninterrupted learning experience for users.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.03 — 2025-06-09

Fixed bug not allowing purchase of Ruy Lopez opening.

### 1.02 — 2025-06-06

Added in app purchases that divide up the content into smaller purchases. It is cheapest to buy membership if wanting to unlock all content, but if only wanting specific openings you can purchase for the individual prices now available.

### 1.01 — 2024-10-25

Fixed minor UI issues

### 1.0 — 2024-10-12

No release notes.

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## More apps by David Bryant

- [Burning Brick Breaker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/burning-brick-breaker/id1565182625)

All apps by David Bryant: https://appshunter.io/developer/1559648957

## Related topics

[chess openings explorer pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chess-openings-explorer-pro)

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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 2026-08-30.*
