Comparison

Chess Opener Lite vs Verbal Chess

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

Head to head
About

Chess Opener Lite

Master chess openings with an interactive trainer and comprehensive database. Build and memorize your own repertoire, compare variations, and track your progress. Works offline and offers extensive opening exploration.

Highlights
  • Chess opening tree with game statistics
  • Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO)
  • Build and edit opening repertoire
  • Interactive opening trainer
  • Offline functionality
  • PGN export
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Features: - Chess opening tree with game statistics - The Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO) - Compare ECO and opening tree moves side by side in any position - Export chess openings in PGN format - Build your own opening repertoire - Add or edit comments on moves - Automatically classify any sequence of moves using the ECO system - Chess opening explorer highlights moves already in your repertoire - Chess database includes all transpositions - Interactive trainer to memorize your chess openings and variations - Train multiple variations at once against random opponent moves from your repertoire - Set up a starting position for training - Track your training progress - Customize chessboard colors and chess pieces - Supports dark mode - Works completely offline CHESS OPENING EXPLORER Search in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings or browse the chess opening tree. Swipe left or right to switch between the exploration features in any position. BUILD YOUR OPENING REPERTOIRE Add your favorite opening lines to your repertoire using the chess opening explorer. You can always edit the names of your openings and organize them in your repertoire. OPENING TRAINER A simple and efficient method to memorize variations of openings in your repertoire. You can train either white’s moves or black’s moves only or both. Optionally, you can train all variations at once. The trainer chooses the opponent’s moves randomly from your opening repertoire. Chess Opener tracks your progress and shows your stats. Upgrade to Chess Opener PRO to unlock more features: - Unlimited repertoire size - Unlimited depth of openings - 6x larger opening tree with game statistics - Database of top 100+ grandmasters’ repertoires - Powerful chess engine analysis - Import openings in PGN format

About

Verbal Chess

Play chess using only your voice, making it accessible for everyone. Control every aspect of the game, from moves to navigation, without touching the screen. Ideal for multitasking or those with physical limitations.

Highlights
  • Voice-controlled gameplay
  • Hands-free operation
  • Accessible for physical limitations
  • Blindfold chess mode
  • Full app navigation by voice
  • Play against AI or global players
Features
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Play chess using only your voice! Are your hands busy making dinner? Or are you relaxing in a tub? Exercising on a treadmill? With Verbal Chess, you can play against computer engines or against players around the world using only your voice. There's no need to touch the screen. Have trouble interacting with the piece images on the screen? With Verbal Chess, the entire app is controllable by your voice. Physical limitations aren't a barrier to your playing chess. And for blindfold chess, you can lean back in your recliner, close your eyes and play the entire game. Since Verbal Chess announces your opponent's moves, you never have to look at the screen. Verbal Chess is unique in that every part of the program (except login passwords) can be controlled by your voice - every screen, every option and every move. Even program navigation can be done with only your voice. Once connected, you never have to touch the screen to enjoy every aspect of Verbal Chess. If working with the screen because of a physical handicap is a problem, with Verbal Chess you can have fun playing chess. Or are your hands busy? Maybe something simple like holding a sloppy burger and you would like to play a game while eating, Verbal Chess can do that for you. Verbal Chess comes from the creator of Chessvis. Download it today. Terms of Use URL: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Chess Opener Lite4 screens
Verbal Chess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Verbal Chess at 86% against Chess Opener Lite's 43%. Verbal Chess also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). Chess Opener Lite's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, 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

Both are free to download. Verbal Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Chess Opener Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess Opener Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 15 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of Chess Opener Lite's written reviews are positive against 86% of Verbal Chess's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Opener Lite ships an update every 5 weeks, Verbal Chess fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Chess Opener Lite versus Verbal Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess Opener LiteVerbal Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (17 ratings) — better3.7 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17 — better15
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB90 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStanislav BasovnikConceptual Software, Inc.

Customer experience

Chess Opener Lite

All ratings17 ratings
Positive76.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative57.1%

Verbal Chess

All ratings13 ratings
Positive61.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative38.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Chess Opener Lite

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Verbal Chess

Subscriptions2
  • Verbal Chess - Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Verbal Chess - Annual$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Verbal Chess - Perpetual$39.99

Questions

Is Chess Opener Lite free?
Chess Opener Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Verbal Chess free?
Verbal Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chess Opener Lite or Verbal Chess?
Chess Opener Lite is rated higher. Chess Opener Lite averages 4.1 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Verbal Chess averages 3.7 from 15 ratings.
Do Chess Opener Lite or Verbal Chess have ads?
Verbal Chess shows ads; Chess Opener Lite does not.
Which is updated more often, Chess Opener Lite or Verbal Chess?
Chess Opener Lite ships an update every 5 weeks, and Verbal Chess fortnightly. Most recently, Chess Opener Lite was updated on November 3, 2026 and Verbal Chess on November 3, 2026.

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