Comparison

Chess Genius vs Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

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

Head to head
About

Chess Genius

This award-winning chess program offers superb playing strength with hundreds of levels for all skill sets. It features a clear interface, displays game analysis, and allows for saving, loading, and sharing games. Enjoy features like hints, legal move displays, and unlimited take-backs.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of playing levels
  • Displays thinking and analysis
  • Save/load games in PGN format
  • Hint and Tutor features
  • Unlimited take back
  • 2 player and self-play modes
Features
Read full description

ChessGenius, award winning chess program. Superb playing strength. The author's chess programs have won ten World Championships. Packed with features for beginners and experts: * Simple, elegant user interface * Powerful, compact and fast * Hundreds of playing levels including easy, blitz and tournament levels. Network connection not required * Displays thinking. Who is winning, by how much and the moves that ChessGenius is planning. Also Chess clocks, Captured pieces and Opening name. e.g. B12 Caro-Kann * Save/load games in PGN format. Send games by email. Set-up position * Easy import / export of PGN database files with iTunes file sharing * Hint, Show legal moves and Tutor. ChessGenius can warn if a blunder/weak move is played and give the option of take back * Unlimited take back and step forward * Play against ChessGenius. Also 2 player, self play and analysis mode * Optional display of captured pieces and count of positions searched * Game is restored after exit and restart * All functions work in Portrait and Landscape

About

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

Manage chess endgame tablebase files for enhanced Stockfish AI analysis. Import pre-installed or custom files, and query positions for win/draw outcomes. Ideal for serious chess players seeking to improve engine performance.

Highlights
  • Manage chess endgame tablebase files
  • Integrates with SmallFish iOS app
  • Import pre-installed 5-men tablebases
  • Import custom tablebase files
  • Query endgame positions for win/draw
  • Enhances Stockfish engine performance
Features
Read full description

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish is a file management app for managing chess endgame tablebases. Seamlessly integrating with the SmallFish iOS chess app for Stockfish, it enables you to import your tablebase files into the SmallFish app, which operates on the latest Stockfish AI. Additionally, you can query specific endgame positions to determine if they result in a win or a draw. This app provides the answers you need. Download this app to import the pre-installed 5-men tablebase files, you may also import your own tablebase files. The app has the instructions that you can follow. --------------------- TABLEBASE BUNDLE --------------------- This app bundles all 5-men chess tablebase piece configurations. You may also want to download 6-men tablebase files . ----------------- REQUIREMENTS ----------------- This app is a 1GB download. You will need the following if you want to run tablebase with Stockfish on your iOS device: - 1GB disk space for this app - The SmallFish chess app - running the Stockfish engine - Another 1GB disk space to process the tablebase files -------------- DESCRIPTION -------------- Chess endgame tablebase is a vast database containing pre-calculated, exhaustive analyses of chess endgame positions. It can instantly determine whether your position is a win, loss, or draw without the need for lengthy analysis. This app is ideal for enhancing your Stockfish engine's analytical performance. The tablebase included with this app can provide an approximate 50 ELO improvement to the Stockfish engine, making it highly recommended for all serious chess players.

Screenshots

Chess Genius4 screens
Chess Tablebase for Stockfish4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chess Tablebase for Stockfish at Free against Chess Genius's $5.99. Chess Tablebase for Stockfish also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.9) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 12 months). Chess Genius's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 14.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish is free to download; Chess Genius costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Chess Genius's written reviews are positive against 83% of Chess Tablebase for Stockfish's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Genius ships an update every 12 months, Chess Tablebase for Stockfish fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Chess Genius versus Chess Tablebase for Stockfish: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess GeniusChess Tablebase for Stockfish
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (10 ratings)4.8 (21 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1021 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB944 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLang Software LimitedTed Wong

Customer experience

Chess Genius

All ratings10 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews152 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral11.2%
Negative9.9%

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

All ratings21 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

Bugs and requests

Chess Genius

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • App crashes frequently, especially when ending games
  • Cannot access settings
  • App crashes when starting new game or changing settings
  • Not working with iOS 17
  • Not working with iOS 14.3
Show 12 more
  • Not working with iOS 6
  • Menu buttons not working
  • No menus appear after a game
  • Opening names are incorrect
  • Graphical issues (low-res, contrast issues)
  • Pieces are cut off in landscape mode
  • App feels buggy when moving pieces
  • No ELO selection
  • No strong selection
  • Design for iPad is terrible
  • Next best move feature sometimes unavailable
  • Rule flaw: King can castle after being in check

Requested features

24 requests
  • Update for iOS compatibility
  • Refresh and update the app
  • Take advantage of iOS file app features
  • Specify opening repertoire training
  • Don't let playing style be trainer/hint man
Show 19 more
  • Improve graphics and piece sets
  • Add ELO rating selection
  • Add more opening book content
  • Implement gesture controls (swipe for undo/redo)
  • Add audible check/checkmate sounds
  • Add opponent faces to computer levels
  • Support for PGN download via email/internet
  • Improve landscape mode functionality
  • Add more analysis functions
  • Add board coordinates display
  • Add rating estimator
  • Add more time control options
  • Option to disable auto screen off
  • Option to show captured pieces
  • Option to auto-flip board in two-player mode
  • Mac version of desktop program
  • Dark mode option
  • More board colors and piece sets
  • Online play functionality

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Chess Genius

No in-app purchases

None

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess Genius free?
Chess Genius costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Tablebase for Stockfish free?
Chess Tablebase for Stockfish is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Chess Genius or Chess Tablebase for Stockfish?
Chess Tablebase for Stockfish is rated higher. Chess Genius averages 3.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Chess Tablebase for Stockfish averages 4.8 from 21 ratings.
Do Chess Genius or Chess Tablebase for Stockfish have ads?
Neither Chess Genius nor Chess Tablebase for Stockfish shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Genius or Chess Tablebase for Stockfish?
Chess Genius ships an update every 12 months, and Chess Tablebase for Stockfish fortnightly. Most recently, Chess Genius was updated on October 31, 2026 and Chess Tablebase for Stockfish on October 26, 2026.

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