Comparison

Chess Starter vs Chess Jester

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

Head to head
About

Chess Starter

Features
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Chess is one of the world’s most popular strategy games. Learn the rules, sharpen your skills, complete exciting challenges, and enjoy every match at your own pace. Play against friends or challenge the computer as you work toward chess mastery! The features include: Play against the computer or a friend Explore an engaging quest map with progressive challenges Learn chess fundamentals through step-by-step lessons Practice checkmates and endgames with interactive puzzles Choose from three computer difficulty levels Undo moves without limits Highlight legal moves for easier gameplay Continue previously saved games Enjoy colorful HD graphics optimized for iPhone and iPad displays Play in multiple languages Play. Learn. Compete. Become a chess master!

About

Chess Jester

Engage in serious chess matches with a humorous twist. Features a witty AI commentator, multiple difficulty levels, and both local and online multiplayer options. Customize your game's appearance and share your matches.

Highlights
  • Hilarious AI commentary
  • Play against powerful AI
  • Local and online multiplayer
  • Game import and export (PGN/FEN)
  • Real-time browser monitoring
  • External display support
  • Full customization options
Features
Read full description

Chess Jester (Chester) - Serious chess. Silly commentary. Stunning design. Step into the royal court of chess with Chess Jester, a beautifully crafted chess app for iPhone and iPad that mixes serious gameplay with a touch of humor. Whether you're a casual player, a chess enthusiast, or just someone looking to hear a jester mock your moves, Chester delivers a fun and engaging experience. Privacy First: - No data collection, No Tracking, No Accounts, No Ads Features: Hilarious AI Commentary: - Turn your chess games into a comedy act with funny, context-aware narration from Chester the Jester. The commentary can be toggled on or off at any time. Play vs. Powerful AI: - Challenge a robust chess engine with multiple difficulty levels. Whether you're learning the ropes or looking for a tough opponent, Chester adjusts to your skill level. Local Multiplayer (Same Device): - Play over the board with a friend right on your iPhone or iPad, no need for a physical board. Online Multiplayer: - Play online with a friend or a random opponent. Join a game instantly or host one with a unique code.  * Hosting requires a one-time in-app purchase. Game Import & Export: - Load a game using a PGN or FEN string, and export completed games in PGN format to share or analyze later. Real-Time Game Monitoring in a Browser: - Spectators can watch your games live in any browser, perfect for events, parties, or classrooms.  * Requires a one-time in-app purchase. External Display Support: - Mirror the game on a TV or projector using AirPlay or an HDMI dongle. Perfect for live viewing or teaching sessions. Full Customization: - Change the look and feel of your game with customizable board themes, piece styles, and background options. Supports both light and dark mode. - Choose your color (play as white or black), and fine-tune your experience with adjustable sound, haptic feedback, and AI commentary settings. Chester blends powerful gameplay with a unique personality. It’s elegant when it needs to be, silly when you want it to be, and always ready for a good match. Whether you're learning, competing, or just having fun, Chester makes every move memorable. Terms of Use: - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy:  - https://chester.justshare.me/privacy.html

Screenshots

Chess Starter4 screens
Chess Jester4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chess Starter at none against Chess Jester's 2. Chess Starter also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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 Jester sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Chess Starter asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Starter ships an update every 2 months, Chess Jester every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Chess Starter versus Chess Jester: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess StarterChess Jester
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB87 MB
Age rating9++4
Developerzhao liuErfan Reed

In-app purchases

None

Chess Starter

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Chess Jester

One-time2
  • Online Game Play$0.99
  • Monitor Game on Web$0.99

Questions

Is Chess Starter free?
Chess Starter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Jester free?
Chess Jester is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chess Starter or Chess Jester have ads?
Neither Chess Starter nor Chess Jester shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Starter or Chess Jester?
Chess Starter ships an update every 2 months, and Chess Jester every 3 months. Most recently, Chess Starter was updated on October 29, 2026 and Chess Jester on October 30, 2026.

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