Comparison

Chess Master vs Cracking the Cryptic

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

Head to head
About

Chess Master

Master chess strategy and tactics with a vast collection of over 4600 unique puzzles, problems, and studies. Perfect for players of all levels looking to improve their game through instructive positions from grandmaster matches.

Highlights
  • 4600+ unique chess problems
  • Train chess strategy
  • Improve theoretical positions
  • Study instructive gaming positions
  • Endgame practice
  • Grandmaster game analysis
Features
Read full description

«Chess is difficult, they require serious work» The first world champion - Wilhelm Steinitz. «You can become a good master only when you realize your mistakes and shortcomings. Absolutely like in life» The first Russian world champion - Alexander Alekhine Unique collection of chess puzzles from 4600 combinations, problems, studies to train chess strategy, theoretical positions and instructive gaming positions of the endgame from the real games of grandmasters. All this will help you improve your skills! The collection of chess problems is addressed to coaches, young chess players, teachers, parents and can be used to train personal skills. SPECIAL DEAL - Discount 60%! We have collected all chess problems in one universal app for true fans of chess puzzles. From mate to 1 to strategies and studies. Our apps: - Chess? OK! (Mate in 1, 2 and 3) - Chess Win (Strategy) - Chess Tactic (Tactics) - Chess Tricks (Endgame and Strategy) Enjoy ;)

About

Cracking the Cryptic

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

Highlights
  • Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles
  • Curated by expert constructors
  • Classic and unique variants
  • Regularly released puzzle packs
  • Free introductory puzzle pack
Features
Read full description

OUR NEWEST PACK – CLASSIC VOLUME #2! Classic sudoku is where it all began, and there is still lots of skill to be deployed to solve classic puzzles, and new techniques to be explored. Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle house, named and popularised sudoku from 1984, and we have commissioned 20 puzzles from them for this Classic Sudoku 2 app. We have also created 20 ourselves, and sourced 20 more from Sam Cappleman-Lynes, the brilliant British sudoku expert. The result is a wonderful 60-puzzle pack which will delight and challenge you. -------------------- Welcome to the brand new Sudoku app from the most popular Sudoku channel, Cracking The Cryptic. Unlike other Sudoku apps, we feature handcrafted and curated puzzles from the world’s best Sudoku constructors. Each collection features puzzles made by various authors that are now familiar names to those who follow the channel. Authors like Phistomefel, Clover, Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Christoph Seeliger, Richard Stolk, jovi_al, Qodec, Prasanna Seshadri and of course, Simon and Mark! Downloading Cracking the Cryptic will give you access to our first free collection – a variety pack by Prasanna Seshadri featuring 7 puzzles inspired from our previous Sudoku apps; Sandwich, Classic, Chess, Thermo, Miracle, Killer and Arrow Sudoku. We also have purchasable packs designed for all skill levels and featuring many unique variants not seen previously. We’ll be releasing more free and paid packs in the future so keep an eye on the app for more Sudoku content from Cracking The Cryptic!

Screenshots

Chess Master2 screens
Cracking the Cryptic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cracking the Cryptic at 72% against Chess Master's 0%. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on price (Free vs $19.99) and rating (4.4 vs 1.0). Chess Master's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download; Chess Master costs $19.99 up front. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Chess Master asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cracking the Cryptic holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 210 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Chess Master's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Master ships an update every 11 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Chess Master versus Cracking the Cryptic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess MasterCracking the Cryptic
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.4 (210 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews72.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1210 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB234 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperSergiy KurashNick Carney

Customer experience

Chess Master

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

Cracking the Cryptic

All ratings208 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive72.1%
Neutral13.6%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

Chess Master

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Cracking the Cryptic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
  • Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
  • Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
  • Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
  • Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
  • Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
  • Improve the quality and clarity of hints

In-app purchases

None

Chess Master

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

Cracking the Cryptic

One-time13
  • CTC Worms - James Sinclair$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Marty Sears$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Zetamath$1.99
Show 10 more
  • CTC Worms - Blobz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Phistomefel$1.99
  • GAS Volume #1$2.99
  • GAS Volume #2$2.99
  • CTC Approachable Sudoku #1$2.99
  • Domino Sudoku Pack$4.99
  • Lines Variety Pack$4.99
  • Classic Volume #2$4.99
  • CTC Fog Pack #1$4.99

Questions

Is Chess Master free?
Chess Master costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chess Master or Cracking the Cryptic?
Cracking the Cryptic is rated higher. Chess Master averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 210 ratings.
Do Chess Master or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?
Neither Chess Master nor Cracking the Cryptic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Master or Cracking the Cryptic?
Chess Master ships an update every 11 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Chess Master was updated on October 11, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on October 20, 2026.

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