Comparison

Primus Chess Lite vs Chess Checkmate Puzzles

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 Checkmate Puzzles

Features
Read full description

Master the art of checkmate with 100,000+ puzzles focused exclusively on winning the game. Unlike general tactics apps, every puzzle here ends with checkmate. From simple mate-in-1 patterns to complex 4-move combinations, train your brain to spot winning opportunities. CHECKMATE-FOCUSED TRAINING - 100,000+ puzzles — all ending in checkmate - Mate in 1, 2, 3, and 4 moves - Learn essential mating patterns: back rank, smothered mate, Arabian mate, and more PLAY OFFLINE - No internet required - Practice anywhere — flights, commutes, no WiFi zones - Download and solve ENGINE ANALYSIS - Built-in chess engine shows best moves - Understand why your move works or fails - Learn from every mistake PUZZLE SMASH MODE - Solve puzzles against the clock - Build pattern recognition speed - Track your progress with Elo rating Perfect for players who want to finish games decisively. Stop drawing won positions - learn to deliver checkmate. Download now and start winning more games. Privacy Policy: https://dawikk-apps.vercel.app/ChessMatesTrainer/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://dawikk-apps.vercel.app/ChessMatesTrainer/terms.html

Screenshots

Primus Chess Lite4 screens
Chess Checkmate Puzzles4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Primus Chess Lite at none against Chess Checkmate Puzzles's 7. Primus Chess Lite also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.4). Chess Checkmate Puzzles's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 9 months). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Chess Checkmate Puzzles sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Primus Chess Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Primus Chess Lite ships an update every 9 months, Chess Checkmate Puzzles monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Primus Chess Lite versus Chess Checkmate Puzzles: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrimus Chess LiteChess Checkmate Puzzles
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (23 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings23 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB118 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDBRG Ltd.Dawid Wrzesinski

In-app purchases

None

Primus Chess Lite

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Chess Checkmate Puzzles

Subscriptions4
  • Espresso Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Flat White Subscription$5.993 Months
  • Latte Subscription$8.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • Super Large Subscription$12.991 Year
One-time3
  • Espresso$3.99
  • Flat White$6.99
  • Latte$9.99

Questions

Is Primus Chess Lite free?
Primus Chess Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Checkmate Puzzles free?
Chess Checkmate Puzzles is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Primus Chess Lite or Chess Checkmate Puzzles have ads?
Chess Checkmate Puzzles shows ads; Primus Chess Lite does not.
Which is updated more often, Primus Chess Lite or Chess Checkmate Puzzles?
Primus Chess Lite ships an update every 9 months, and Chess Checkmate Puzzles monthly. Most recently, Primus Chess Lite was updated on November 1, 2026 and Chess Checkmate Puzzles on October 24, 2026.

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