# Chess Strategy for Beginners vs Openings Mastermind

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Openings Mastermind at none against Chess Strategy for Beginners's 1. Openings Mastermind also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). Chess Strategy for Beginners's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (135 vs 6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chess Strategy for Beginners sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Openings Mastermind asks for nothing beyond the download.

Chess Strategy for Beginners holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Strategy for Beginners has 135 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Chess Strategy for Beginners's written reviews are positive against 50% of Openings Mastermind's.

Chess Strategy for Beginners ships an update every 3 months, Openings Mastermind fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess Strategy for Beginners | Openings Mastermind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-strategy-for-beginners/id1121720375/reviews)** | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openings-mastermind/id6448386251/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **135** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 44 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chess King](https://appshunter.io/developer/1096660597) | [Christian Heise](https://appshunter.io/developer/1632898424) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess Strategy for Beginners

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-strategy-for-beginners/id1121720375)

This interactive tutorial helps beginners and intermediate players improve their chess skills. It covers openings, middlegames, and endgames with over 1200 examples and exercises. The app acts as a coach, providing hints, explanations, and refutations for mistakes.

**Highlights:** Interactive lessons, 55 lessons with 1200+ examples, Opening, middlegame, and endgame strategy, Hints and mistake refutations, Play positions against computer, Tracks ELO rating

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full course | $12.99 | one-time |


### Openings Mastermind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openings-mastermind/id6448386251)

Master chess openings with this app. Import studies, explore with advanced engines, and practice specific lines through repetition. Track your progress and improve your game.

**Highlights:** Import Lichess Studies or PGNs, Explore openings with Stockfish 15, Practice openings by repetition, Smart practice queue, Track learning progress

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess Strategy for Beginners free?

Chess Strategy for Beginners is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Openings Mastermind free?

Openings Mastermind is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Chess Strategy for Beginners or Openings Mastermind?

Chess Strategy for Beginners is rated higher. Chess Strategy for Beginners averages 4.8 out of 5 from 135 ratings, while Openings Mastermind averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.

### Do Chess Strategy for Beginners or Openings Mastermind have ads?

Neither Chess Strategy for Beginners nor Openings Mastermind shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess Strategy for Beginners or Openings Mastermind?

Chess Strategy for Beginners ships an update every 3 months, and Openings Mastermind fortnightly. Most recently, Chess Strategy for Beginners was updated on October 24, 2026 and Openings Mastermind on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*