Chess Opener PRO vs BookMoves
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chess Opener PRO
Master chess openings with a comprehensive trainer and explorer. Analyze grandmaster repertoires, build your own opening lines, and memorize variations with interactive training. Works offline with no ads.
- Chess opening tree with statistics
- Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO)
- Grandmaster repertoire database
- Stockfish engine analysis
- Interactive opening trainer
- Build and manage opening repertoire
- PGN import/export
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Features: - Chess opening tree with game statistics - The Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO) - Database of top 100+ grandmasters’ repertoires - Stockfish chess engine analysis - Compare ECO, opening tree and engine moves side by side in any position - Import and 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 - No ads - Works completely offline CHESS OPENING EXPLORER Search in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, browse the chess opening tree, explore the opening repertoires of famous chess grandmasters, or ask the chess engine to find the best moves. 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 or import your openings in PGN format from other chess programs. 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.
BookMoves
Master chess openings with a unique blend of theory, computer science, and spaced repetition. Memorize hundreds of variants for both sides and transition from rote learning to intuitive application. Overcome the forgetting curve with an innovative technique for lasting mastery.
- Chess opening theory
- Spaced repetition learning
- Hundreds of chess variants
- Statistical probabilities
- Integrated scoring system
- Algorithmic improvement
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Embark on a transformative chess journey with our groundbreaking app, seamlessly blending Opening Theory, Computer Science, and Space Repetition. Easily memorize hundreds of chess variants for both white and black, transitioning from rote memorization to intuitive application of knowledge. Overcome the Forgetting Curve using our innovative Space Repetition technique, converting short-term storage into lasting mastery. Access a comprehensive database of 1 million+ opening variants, each accompanied by statistical probabilities. Our integrated scoring system considers game statistics and parameters for effective play, constantly evolving to provide you with the strongest advantage at your current skill level. Experience the power of continuous algorithmic improvement, ensuring you stay ahead in every game. Optimized for mobile, our app lets you practice openings anytime, anywhere, enhancing your skills on the move. Unleash your chess potential by consistently training with new openings, conveniently accessible through your mobile browser. Elevate your game, break free from stagnation, and become the chess pro you aspire to be. Start your journey to mastery today!
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: BookMoves at Free against Chess Opener PRO's $8.99. BookMoves also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). Chess Opener PRO's advantage is review sentiment (76% vs 50%) and ratings volume (79 vs 4). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
BookMoves is free to download; Chess Opener PRO costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Chess Opener PRO against 4.5 for BookMoves. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Opener PRO has 79 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of Chess Opener PRO's written reviews are positive against 50% of BookMoves's.
Chess Opener PRO ships an update every 5 weeks, BookMoves every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chess Opener PRO | BookMoves |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (79 ratings) | 4.5 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 79 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 149 MB | 70 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stanislav Basovnik | Regulus Team s.r.o. |
Customer experience
Chess Opener PRO
BookMoves
Bugs and requests
Chess Opener PRO
Reported bugs
6 issues- Invalid PGN import
- Crashes quite often
- Repeats same variation
- Cannot review lines while training
- App not functioning with iOS 16.7.4
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- PGN import is tedious and doesn't support variants
Requested features
12 requests- Include position setting
- Start study from a later position
- Multiple folders for simultaneous practice
- Option to switch between figure visibility modes (normal, queen pieces, none)
- Blindfold practice option
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- Show +1 for capturing a pawn
- iCloud sync across devices
- Organize repertoires (move, sort, add folders)
- Predefine variants not to reappear during training
- User guide or help information
- Support for split screen
- Fix compatibility with iOS 16.7.4
BookMoves
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Chess Opener PRO
No in-app purchases
BookMoves
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Chess Opener PRO free?
Is BookMoves free?
Which has better reviews, Chess Opener PRO or BookMoves?
Do Chess Opener PRO or BookMoves have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chess Opener PRO or BookMoves?
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