MChess vs iPlay Chess
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MChess
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MChess is a chess app for players who enjoy familiar rules with new tactical possibilities. Start with standard chess, then try the expanded mode: build a custom army with a fixed point budget and play with hybrid pieces such as the Maharajah, Archbishop, and Chancellor. The app validates custom setups before a match starts, so unusual positions still begin from clear legal rules. Play on one device, practice against the built-in engine, or use local network play when two players want separate devices. LAN hidden setup lets each player prepare privately before both armies are revealed and the match begins.
iPlay Chess
Engage in chess matches against powerful AI engines with customizable difficulty and playing styles. Enhance your skills with opening books, move hints, and detailed play statistics. Enjoy a personalized experience with custom boards, pieces, and sounds across multiple devices.
- Play against 6 top chess engines
- Customizable boards, pieces, and sounds
- Variety of opening books for all levels
- Adjustable opponent playing style
- Move highlights and hints
- Play statistics tracking
- iPad split screen support
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Play against 6 of the best chess engines, including Stockfish 13 and Leela Chess Zero. More engines will be added with next updates. Great interface for all platforms with custom boards and pieces, sounds and spoken moves. A variety of opening books for all levels can help you improve your game. You can customize your opponent's playing style by adjusting various options like engine strength, move time and increment, opening books variations. Other features: - highlights and hints for moves - support for multiple opening books - play stats - iPad split screen Constant updates will bring more features. Discover the planned roadmap in settings.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iPlay Chess at none against MChess's 3. MChess's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 25 months). On price, 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
Both are free to download. MChess sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. iPlay Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.
MChess ships an update fortnightly, iPlay Chess every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MChess | iPlay Chess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.2 (5 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 25 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 200 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alexander Velikotsky | BEYTEK MUHENDISLIK SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI |
In-app purchases
MChess
- Coffee$0.99
- Big Coffee$2.99
- Supporter$9.99
iPlay Chess
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MChess free?
Is iPlay Chess free?
Do MChess or iPlay Chess have ads?
Which is updated more often, MChess or iPlay Chess?
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