Mini Chess vs PacketChess
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mini Chess
Enjoy a simplified, faster version of chess on your mobile device. Play against AI or a friend on a smaller board with fewer pieces. Ideal for beginners and quick matches.
- Simplified 6x6 chessboard
- Fewer pieces (no knights/bishops)
- Play against 3 AI levels
- Local multiplayer mode
- Quick matches
- Beginner-friendly
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The traditional game of chess made easier and quicker, perfect for iPhone and iPad. Download it now for free and start play in just 1 tap! Mini Chess is a modern simplified version of classic chess, perfect for playing on your phone and tablet, on your own, with 3 level of Artificial Intelligence, or with a friend on the same device (multiplayer). Play on a smaller chessboard (6x6), with less pieces (no knights and bishops) and have fun on more speedy matches than classic chess. Play straight away, with friends, online or solo, and every match takes just minutes. Mini Chess is also perfect for kids to start play the all-time-favourite classic board game. Kids and beginners will find it so easy to learn and to enjoy in just 1 tap and experts will love the new challenge of playing in a different setting. Thanks for playing!
PacketChess
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PacketChess lets you play chess over packet radio with other amateur radio operators. Moves are transmitted as compact packets via AX.25. Fully supports software TNC, Bluetooth KISS TNC, and network KISS TNC interfaces. PacketChess is intended to be used by licensed amateur radio operators. A valid amateur radio license, assigned callsign, and a compatible radio are required to send and receive messages. This app does not function as a standalone chess game. You have to find a partner to play with, there is no built AI.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: PacketChess at none against Mini Chess's shown. Mini Chess's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Mini Chess sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PacketChess sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Mini Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, PacketChess every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Mini Chess | PacketChess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (345 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 82.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 345 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | OutOfTheBit Ltd | Lukasz Skierkowski |
Bugs and requests
Mini Chess
Reported bugs
5 issues- Checkmate declared incorrectly with viable moves available
- Queen positioned on wrong color
- AI allows illegal moves to prevent player from winning
- Stalemate not handled correctly
- Perpetual check rules unfairly favor opponent
Requested features
10 requests- Add Knights and Bishops to piece options
- Alternative piece combinations (2 Rooks + 2 Bishops)
- Randomized starting positions
- Landscape mode for iPad
- Random color assignment (white/black alternation)
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- Ability to play full traditional chess
- Create custom board feature
- Extremely hard difficulty level
- Physical board version
- Draw by repetition after 3 moves
PacketChess
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Mini Chess
- Remove Ads$1.99
PacketChess
- Small Tip$1.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$9.99
Questions
Is Mini Chess free?
Is PacketChess free?
Do Mini Chess or PacketChess have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mini Chess or PacketChess?
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