Comparison

Chess vs TichuMaster

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

Head to head
About

Chess

Enjoy a classic chess experience on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. This app offers a clean interface, beautiful graphics, and intuitive gameplay perfect for casual players. Play against a computer opponent, review game history, and track your progress.

Highlights
  • 1- or 2-player games on one device
  • Tap-to-move piece selection
  • Highlights legal moves
  • Full game history and move list
  • Built-in chess clock
  • Get hint feature
  • Undo moves
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

tChess Lite is the popular chess game designed just for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. tChess is like a virtual chess board on your device. It's fun and easy to use--perfect for the casual player! This game features a very clean UI design and beautiful graphics. tChess is a fast and stable program. Pick up a game in your free time... and there's no problem listening to your music while you play. (tChess Lite is a fully-functional version of tChess for casual chess players. If you're an active player and want enthusiast-level features, take a look at tChess Pro, which is over 1000 ELO stronger and has received rave reviews from Grandmaster Susan Polgar, PE's Chess Cast, and iPhone app critics.) tChess Lite Features: - Perfect for 1- or 2-player games (on the same device, no network connection required) - Tap-tap to move pieces - Highlights legal moves - View full game history in the Move List - Go back or forward move by move and replay completed games - Built-in chess clock - "Get hint" feature to improve your game - Easy to undo moves - Saves your game automatically if you exit the program or take a call - Play against any ELO rating from 500 to 1200 - Computer opponent is the most fun and realistic for beginners and casual players - Use the Profile feature to play rated games and track your progress - Over 15,000 openings for fresh, varied games tChess Lite is developed by Tom Kerrigan, author of the TSCP and Stobor chess engines.

About

TichuMaster

Features
Read full description

Tichu Master brings the popular card game Tichu to your iPhone. Play exciting matches with friends or practice against strong AI opponents anytime. If you don't have a partner, the best available computer partner will take your place and support you with smart decisions. The app is designed to make Tichu fast, clear, and enjoyable to play. Clear cards, a modern interface, and smooth gameplay help you focus on what matters most: good combinations, bold bids, and perfect timing. Whether you've been playing Tichu for a long time or want to discover the game for the first time, Tichu Master offers an easy way to start a round anytime. Play quick games, practice strategies against computer opponents, or challenge your friends. Features: - Play Tichu with friends or against AI opponents - Use a strong computer partner when no real partner is available - Practice moves, calls, and strategies at your own pace - Enjoy clear cards, smooth gameplay, and intuitive controls - Experience the classic Tichu feel in a modern digital version Tichu Master is for everyone who loves strategic card games and wants Tichu readily available at all times.

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
TichuMaster4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TichuMaster at daily against Chess's every 5 months. TichuMaster also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). Chess's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $5.99) and chart position (#92 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 costs $0.99 and TichuMaster $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess ships an update every 5 months, TichuMaster daily. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Chess versus TichuMaster: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessTichuMaster
Price$0.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.6 (78 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings78 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#92 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB108 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTom KerriganJonas Schmidhalter

Bugs and requests

Chess

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent pawn movement rules
  • Stalemate issues and computer refusing to resign
  • Connectivity problems with Game Center

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to set up custom board positions
  • More difficulty levels and ELO ratings
  • Online/multiplayer functionality
  • Notification options for opponent moves
  • Chess puzzle/training mode

TichuMaster

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Chess

No in-app purchases

None

TichuMaster

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TichuMaster free?
TichuMaster costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chess or TichuMaster have ads?
Neither Chess nor TichuMaster shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess or TichuMaster?
Chess ships an update every 5 months, and TichuMaster daily. Most recently, Chess was updated on October 21, 2026 and TichuMaster on October 9, 2026.

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