# Pocket Chess — Classic Chess Game

> Portable chess game with AI and local multiplayer options. (iPhone/iPad app by Steven Barnegren.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-chess/id699609579 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Steven Barnegren](https://appshunter.io/developer/632311869)
- Category: Games, Board, Puzzle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 2.40/5 from 23 App Store ratings · 49 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 10 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-11-02
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-chess/id699609579/reviews.md

## What is Pocket Chess?

Play chess on the go against the computer or a friend with Pocket Chess.

- Challenging A.I. engine with three levels of difficulty
- Quick A.I. response time
- Play as White or Black
- Option to show legal moves
- Perform special moves such as castling and pawn promotion
- Board rotation for two player games
- Game state is saved if you quit the app

## Key features

- Challenging AI engine
- Three difficulty levels
- Play as White or Black
- Show legal moves
- Special move support
- Board rotation
- Save game state

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 49)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-chess/id699609579/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Worse chess game

*2023-03-13, version 2.2*

Often it’s make wrong move .

### 2/5 — Occasionally cheats

*2023-01-28, version 2.2*

If you dont pay attention it will cheat on occasion by taking a piece that you moved into a different spot, relocating it to a winning move and taking it.

### 1/5 — Scam app

*2022-01-08, version 2.2*

This app plays off the popular game, Pocket Chess (not actually chess). Any downloads of this app are probably people intending to download that game. If a regular chess app is what you want, this is one of the worst options.

### 2/5 — Waste of time.

*2021-04-24, version 2.2*

The aesthetics of the app are very clean, but that’s all the app has going for it. There’s very little to do on the app and can become extremely boring. The app has been made to play offline meaning that you can only play against bots or someone else sharing your device. However the bots are atrocious! You get a selection of a easy, medium and hard bot but the hard bot is pushing 800 rating. It’s decision making is unethical and in general very stupid. If you’re looking to play chess I much prefer chess.com or Lichess. They both provide a much better range of bots plus puzzles, online matches and lessons. DON’T use this app.. its a waste of time.

### 3/5 — Ok

*2021-02-23, version 2.2*

Mediocre chess

### 1/5 — The computer cheats

*2021-01-09, version 2.2*

I’ve played the computer numerous times and it will change a move of mine periodically to its advantage.

### 5/5 — :)

*2021-01-04, version 2.2*

Yes, good game, I reccomend it but there is barely enough to do. Forget about that, good game! :)

### 1/5 — Computer is bad at chess

*2020-11-28, version 2.2*

Easy win at any level against this computer

### 1/5 — Too hard for me😡😡😡😡

*2020-05-19, version 2.1*

Maybe it’s hard for me because I’m ten but my little sister can do medium but I can’t so can you please make medium a little easier

### 3/5 — Game cheats

*2020-02-23, version 2.1*

This computer will cheat and change your already placed pieces.

## Frequently asked questions about Pocket Chess

### What is Pocket Chess?

Pocket Chess is a mobile application that allows you to play the classic game of chess. You can play against a computer opponent with varying difficulty levels or challenge a friend locally.

### What are the key features of Pocket Chess?

Key features include a challenging AI engine with three difficulty settings, the ability to play as either White or Black, an option to display legal moves, support for special moves like castling and pawn promotion, and board rotation for two-player games. The game state is also saved if you exit the app.

### Is Pocket Chess free to download?

Yes, the application is free to download. It offers in-app purchases, indicating that while the core game is accessible, there may be optional content or features available for purchase.

### Can I play against a friend with Pocket Chess?

Yes, you can play against a friend locally. The app includes a board rotation feature specifically designed to facilitate two-player games, making it easy for both players to have a comfortable view of the board.

### What devices is Pocket Chess compatible with?

While specific OS versions are not detailed, the application is designed for mobile devices, implying compatibility with both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. The description focuses on gameplay features rather than hardware specifications.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.2 — 2020-10-13

Playing a two player game? You can now sit opposite each other, and the pieces will rotate for each player's turn.

### 2.1 — 2018-01-22

Pocket Chess now looks great on iPhone X!

### 2.0.2 — 2017-04-04

Fixes an issue where pawns captured by en passant would not be removed from the board

### 2.0.1 — 2017-03-29

- Board is larger on iPads
- Better menu layout for iPads
- Minor bug fixes

### 2.0 — 2017-03-19

Pocket Chess 2.0 features a completely new chess engine!

Also:
- 64 bit support
- Support for iPhone 6/7 and 6/7+ native resolution
- Split view support on iPad

## Apps similar to Pocket Chess

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [CHESS MATES ™](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-mates/id1544921712) | 1.0 (1) | $1.99 | Games |
| [Chess World Master](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-world-master/id1495285986) | 4.3 (32) | Free | Games |
| [Chess Master 2014](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-master-2014/id845019206) | 3.4 (17) | Free | Games |
| [Chess 3D - Rook, Pawn time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-3d-rook-pawn-time/id923537310) | 3.5 (24) | Free | Games |
| [World Chess: Official FIDE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/world-chess-official-fide/id1561322679) | 4.2 (17) | Free | Games |
| [Chess Timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-timer/id1208199658) | 4.3 (56) | Free | Games |

## More apps by Steven Barnegren

- [Shaker Box](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shaker-box/id667486112)
- [Translator Keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translator-keyboard/id890257585)
- [Prismatic - Spectrum Of Colour](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prismatic-spectrum-of-colour/id1070021639)

All apps by Steven Barnegren: https://appshunter.io/developer/632311869

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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 2026-06-11.*