# Play Chess for iMessage — Chess.com - Games with Friends

> Play unlimited casual chess games with friends via iMessage. (iPhone/iPad app by Chess.com.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-chess-for-imessage/id6443798218 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chess.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/329218552)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.20/5 from 165 App Store ratings · 137 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2022-12-30
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-chess-for-imessage/id6443798218/reviews.md

## What is Play Chess for iMessage?

Play unlimited chess games with your friends via iMessage!

Chess, ajedrez, xadrez, satranç, scacchi, schach, șah, šachy, şahmat… no matter the language, no matter the name, it's known as the best strategy game in the world.

- Choose your favorite board and pieces!
- Play multiple friends at once!
- Keep it fun, friendly and casual! No timers or ratings to worry about - and no registration required.
- App is 100% free - with no in-app purchases.

Playing chess has never been so easy!

Chess is the most popular game of all time! And Chess.com is the #1 place to play chess online with your friends and other players from all over the world! 

Please share your suggestions and comments with us. Our support team is happy to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

ABOUT CHESS.COM:
Chess.com is created by chess players and people who love chess! 
Team: http://www.chess.com/about
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chess
Twitter: http://twitter.com/chesscom
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/wwwchesscom
TwitchTV: http://www.twitch.com/chess

## Key features

- Unlimited chess games
- Play via iMessage
- Customizable boards and pieces
- Play multiple friends simultaneously
- No timers or ratings
- No registration required

## What do users think of Play Chess for iMessage?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to play without knowing chess rules
- 🎮 Fun gameplay mechanics for iMessage
- 🎨 Theme customizer available
- 🔄 Move guide and helpful features
- 🎬 Can convert wins to GIF format
- ⚡ Works seamlessly when functioning properly
- 🏆 Engaging puzzle mode

**Cons**

- 🚫 Cannot uninstall app (major recurring issue)
- 🐛 iCloud login error persists despite being logged in
- ❌ App doesn't show on home screen
- 🔄 Must exit and reopen app to see opponent's moves
- ⚠️ Only playable in portrait mode
- 🔐 Requires iCloud login to play
- 📱 Installation method unclear/sneaky
- ⏱️ Time calculation bug in games
- 💬 Limited to 2-player games only
- 🔋 Intense haptic feedback without toggle option
- 🎮 Requires both players to have app installed
- 🐛 Occasional glitches requiring phone restart
- 🚫 VPN compatibility issues

**Commonly reported bugs**

- iCloud authentication error when already logged in
- App cannot be uninstalled from device
- No home screen icon appears after installation
- Game doesn't work with group chats over 2 people
- Time calculation error giving opponent extra time
- Unconfirmed moves being made automatically
- App freezes requiring phone restart
- First move triggers iCloud login requirement
- Message send failures requiring game restart
- VPN blocks app functionality
- Haptic feedback cannot be disabled

**Most requested features**

- Confirmation dialog for accidental game reviews
- Uninstall functionality
- Ability to choose piece color or randomize
- CPU/AI opponent mode
- Fischer random chess mode
- Android cross-platform compatibility
- Sticker support
- Haptic feedback toggle option
- Auto-update moves without closing app
- Resend option for failed messages
- Link chess.com account integration

## Recent user reviews (10 of 137)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-chess-for-imessage/id6443798218/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Upgrade my chats needed

*2026-08-15, version 1.0.1*

Honestly don’t get the mediocre rating for this. It’s an iMessage app. The simpler the better right? You start a game with a buddy and send a move, go about your busy day, and just reply moves as you can. No timers, you can chat still and chats stays in context with your moves which you can still see on the thread. Great way to play a game with your chess crazed buddy without worrying about losing progress or app timeouts. I think it would be cool if it randomly assigned white rather than the person who starts it gets white every time. Other than that great simple app that is such a great addition to my chats.

### 1/5 — 用不了

*2026-08-11*

用不了

### 1/5 — 啥玩意

*2026-08-05*

竟然还有人给5星

### 1/5 — Lag và tầm bậy

*2026-07-29, version 1.0.1*

Game vào mà nó cứ hiện shoppi tóm lại là game như c

### 1/5 — Scam

*2026-07-22, version 1.0.1*

They will hack your phone when downloaded

### 5/5 — good! but there's a problem

*2026-07-12, version 1.0.1*

The bot rematch button and new bot button is the same

### 1/5 — C

*2026-07-11, version 1.0.1*

Very bad and didn’t work and it’s bad that I can’t find a way to delete it

### 5/5 — 2 things to say

*2026-07-06, version 1.0.1*

1 I see people complaining that you can’t stay in the “menu” and see moves happen but it’s not a menu it’s just showing the board a bit bigger so you can see it

2 I always like to play on the black side but the only way for me to do that is to make the other person send the game first witch doesn’t happen much so I’d really appreciate if the feature was added

### 5/5 — App review

*2026-07-04, version 1.0.1*

YOU CANNOT DELETE IT do not download ! Just  know 0/10

### 4/5 — Bilan de partie

*2026-06-08*

L’app est complète mais on aimerais voir notre bilan de partie qui est présent uniquement sur Chess.com et pour transférer la partie ce n’est pas pratique mais sinon c’est globalement bon

## Frequently asked questions about Play Chess for iMessage

### What is this app?

This app allows you to play unlimited chess games directly with your friends through iMessage. It offers a casual and friendly experience without timers or ratings, and no registration is needed.

### What are the key features?

Key features include playing unlimited chess games via iMessage, customizing your board and pieces, playing multiple friends at once, and enjoying a casual experience without timers, ratings, or registration.

### Is this app free?

Yes, the app is 100% free to use and does not include any in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is designed to be played via iMessage, indicating it is compatible with iOS devices that support iMessage.

### How can I play chess with friends using this app?

You can start a chess game with friends directly within iMessage. The app facilitates multiple simultaneous games, allowing for a fun and casual way to connect and play.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.0.1 — 2022-12-30

This build contains bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 1.0 — 2022-12-30

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Play Chess for iMessage

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [SocialChess • Online Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/socialchess-online-chess/id442239737) | 4.7 (7,168) | Free | Games |
| [Chess.com - Play and Learn](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesscom-play-and-learn/id329218549) | 4.8 (816,078) | Free | Games |
| [Chess Universe - Play Online](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-universe-play-online/id1487204900) | 4.7 (5,989) | Free | Games |
| [Chess for Kids: Learn to Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-for-kids-learn-to-play/id629375826) | 4.7 (100,097) | Free | Games |
| [Chess ∙](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess/id311395856) | 4.5 (204,953) | Free | Games |
| [Chess - Chess Online](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-chess-online/id1547549647) | 4.9 (6,519) | Free | Games |

## More apps by Chess.com

- [Chess.com - Play and Learn](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesscom-play-and-learn/id329218549)
- [chess24](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess24/id564777203)
- [Chess for Kids: Learn to Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-for-kids-learn-to-play/id629375826)
- [Play Magnus - Play Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-magnus-play-chess/id808138395)
- [Chess Clock by Chess.com](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-clock-by-chesscom/id858039162)
- [Magnus Trainer - Train Chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magnus-trainer-train-chess/id1097863089)

All apps by Chess.com: https://appshunter.io/developer/329218552

## Related topics

[imessage games chess](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/imessage-games-chess) · [play chess for imessage](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/play-chess-for-imessage) · [Chess.com app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chess-com-app) · [chess.com](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chess-com)

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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 2026-09-07.*