Comparison

Primus Chess Lite vs Chess Mate Puzzle

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Primus Chess Lite

This chess engine is designed for intermediate players, mimicking human play with strategic depth and occasional blunders. It offers local multiplayer options and practice modes.

Highlights
  • Human-like chess engine
  • Intermediate player focus (up to 2000 Elo)
  • Local multiplayer (Bluetooth/LAN)
  • Tabletop virtual chessboard mode
  • Five skill levels
  • Selected puzzles and practice levels
  • Mini-tournament mode
Features
Read full description

NOTE: This is the 'lite' version of Primus. The full version contains a mate puzzle generator, many more difficulty levels, puzzles, pieces and boards. A more human chess engine. Primus is an entirely original, modern chess engine specifically designed for the intermediate player (up to 2000 Elo). It has been carefully tuned to play less like a machine and more like a human. At lower levels, it makes blunders of a straightforward kind that are easy to spot, but at higher levels more careful play is required to take advantage of more subtle tactical and even strategic errors. At its highest levels, Primus plays at around 2000 Elo, but even at the very highest levels, it still has occasional simulated lapses of concentration. The engine was conceived out of frustration with the overwhelming tactical strength of modern chess engines. Most modern chess engines are so tactically strong that extremely careful defensive and anti-computer play is required to make any progress; in other words, it's nothing like playing a human. We wanted to create an engine that allows for a more human, strategic style of play where there's room to take advantage of the occasional blunder. We've included multiplayer modes that allow you to use your device as a virtual chessboard, or play via bluetooth or wireless with a local opponent. Features in this "lite" version include: - Two player mode over Bluetooth / Lan. - Tabletop mode so you can use your device as a virtual chessboard. - Five different skill levels from total novice to expert (21 in the full version) - Supports all orientations, so you can make full use of your iPad Smart Case or stand. - Supports multitasking, so you can follow along with videos/ebooks. - Focus mode, to hide the UI so you can focus on the board. - Five selected puzzles and practice levels (30 in the full version), so you can practice your endgames or play some interesting challenge levels. - Mini-tournament mode - a six-game mini tournament mode for the more serious player. - Elo rating estimation from your game results.

About

Chess Mate Puzzle

Sharpen your strategic thinking with over 3,000 checkmate puzzles. This app offers interactive lessons and progress tracking to improve your chess skills. Enjoy offline play for on-the-go training.

Highlights
  • Over 3,000 checkmate puzzles
  • Beginner to grandmaster levels
  • Enhance strategic thinking
  • Interactive lessons with explanations
  • Progress tracking
  • Offline play
Features
Read full description

Chess Mate Puzzles - Train Your Brain with Strategy Embark on a journey of chess mastery with Chess Mate Puzzles, your ultimate chess companion. Challenge your mind with over 3,000 intricate checkmate scenarios designed to sharpen your strategic thinking and tactical skills. Key Features: -Checkmate Challenges: Explore a vast collection of checkmate puzzles ranging from beginner to grandmaster levels. With diverse scenarios and difficulty levels, there's a puzzle for every chess enthusiast. -Improve Your Strategy: Enhance your chess skills as you learn to anticipate your opponent's moves, plan your strategy, and execute winning combinations. Chess Mate Puzzles is your personal chess tutor. -Interactive Lessons: Dive into detailed explanations and interactive lessons for each puzzle. Understand the underlying tactics and techniques used in each scenario. -Progress Tracker: Track your puzzle-solving journey, monitor your progress, and watch your rating soar as you conquer increasingly challenging puzzles. - Offline Play: Enjoy Chess Mate Puzzles anywhere, even without an internet connection. Perfect for honing your skills on the go. Chess Mate Puzzles is not just a chess app; it's a comprehensive chess training tool that will transform you into a formidable chess player. Whether you're a novice looking to learn the ropes or a seasoned player aiming to refine your skills, this app has something for everyone. Are you ready to checkmate your way to victory? Download Chess Mate Puzzles now and embark on an exciting chess adventure!

Screenshots

Primus Chess Lite4 screens
Chess Mate Puzzle3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Primus Chess Lite at 79% against Chess Mate Puzzle's 0%. Primus Chess Lite also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (23 vs 2). Chess Mate Puzzle's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Primus Chess Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Primus Chess Lite has 23 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Primus Chess Lite's written reviews are positive against 0% of Chess Mate Puzzle's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Primus Chess Lite ships an update every 9 months, Chess Mate Puzzle fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Primus Chess Lite versus Chess Mate Puzzle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrimus Chess LiteChess Mate Puzzle
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (23 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings23 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB32 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperDBRG Ltd.CENK YILDIRIM

Customer experience

Primus Chess Lite

All ratings23 ratings
Positive82.6%
Neutral8.7%
Negative8.7%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.1%

Chess Mate Puzzle

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Primus Chess Lite

No in-app purchases

None

Chess Mate Puzzle

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Primus Chess Lite free?
Primus Chess Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Mate Puzzle free?
Chess Mate Puzzle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Primus Chess Lite or Chess Mate Puzzle?
Primus Chess Lite is rated higher. Primus Chess Lite averages 4.3 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Chess Mate Puzzle averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Primus Chess Lite or Chess Mate Puzzle have ads?
Neither Primus Chess Lite nor Chess Mate Puzzle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Primus Chess Lite or Chess Mate Puzzle?
Primus Chess Lite ships an update every 9 months, and Chess Mate Puzzle fortnightly. Most recently, Primus Chess Lite was updated on November 2, 2026 and Chess Mate Puzzle on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons