Backgammon Coach vs CoreShift
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Backgammon Coach
Play backgammon against a sophisticated AI powered by a neural network. Analyze your moves with detailed winning probabilities and progress your game with coaching features. Customize game levels and rules for a personalized experience.
- Play against AI
- Winning probability analysis
- Coaching features
- Customizable game levels
- Multiple rule options
- Situation analysis and saving
- Manual dice roll option
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Backgammon Coach is an application for playing backgammon against the computer at the highest level as well as obtaining all the probabilities of winning for each possible move. It is therefore an excellent partner to play, coupled with a Coach to progress in backgammon. Based on the Gnu Backgammon neural network, resulting from research in artificial intelligence and recognized for its decision-making capacities, Backgammon Coach has risen to the rank of the best players in the world. Backgammon Coach is also able to prove that she is not cheating, by offering an option to use your own manual dice rolls. If you have the opposite feeling, keep the fair play attitude of great players when it comes to bad or good sets of dice. Remember that the computer is an excellent calculator and knows how to place itself in good situations so that a high number of dice are favorable to it. Then try to do like him by taking an interest in the detailed probabilities available to you. If the game level of the computer is too high from your point of view, feel free to choose a lower level in the options. This will increase your chances of winning, however it is advisable to prefer a higher level and to use the Coach's indications to progress: "À vaincre sans péril on triomphe sans gloire"! Here is a list of the main features provided: - Very comprehensive user guide - Sessions of matches in x points, unlimited points games or analysis of situations - Coach availability in all circumstances - Detailed winning probabilities on request - Sounds and animations - Quick game option - Three standard game levels offered (Beginner, Intermediate and Expert) - Possibility to customize the parameters of a game level - Marking of possible arrows to play - Calculation of the pip count - Constant display of the dice from the previous round - Possibility to analyze a particular situation - Registration of situations - Sharing of situations via the system's sharing tools (AirDrop, Messages, Mail ...) - Options for Crawford, Jacoby and Egyptian rules - Sophisticated random dice generator - Possibility to use your own manual dice - Optional use of the doubling dice - Optional double at the start of the game - Optional management of multiple doubles ("beavers") - Game statistics for each level - Accumulation of scores acquired in points game - Possibility of resign a game with counting of drops (dishonest interruptions) - Advanced neural network parameters (plies, move filter, etc.) - Gnu Backgammon console available for advanced users Excellent games!
CoreShift
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CoreShift is a sleek, minimalist strategy game based on Neutron — a classic abstract board game of pure skill, positioning, and tactics. Easy to learn. Deep to master. Every move can open a path, create a trap, or turn the match completely. No randomness. No hidden information. Pure strategy. THE GAME Play on a 5×5 grid. Each player controls five pieces, while a single amber token — the Neutron — begins at the center. On every turn, you must: 1. Slide the Neutron as far as it can move. 2. Slide one of your own pieces (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). Pieces move until blocked by the edge or another piece — they cannot jump. How to win: * Move the Neutron onto your own baseline. * Trap your opponent so they have no legal Neutron move. QUICK OR CLASSIC * Quick mode: Fast, aggressive openings with immediate tension. * Classic mode: Traditional rules where the first player skips the opening Neutron move for a more balanced start. THREE AI DIFFICULTY LEVELS * Easy: Learn the fundamentals. * Medium: Strong tactical play. * Hard: Advanced Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) AI that adapts to every position. ONLINE MULTIPLAYER — BETA Play real-time matches worldwide through Game Center. Our Elo rating system (starting at 1200) ensures you always face a fair challenge. * Climb the Ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. * Social: Add friends after matches, send instant rematches, and react with quick chat. * No Waiting: If no live opponent is available, Skynet — our built-in AI — keeps the match moving. TOURNAMENT MODE Five rounds. One run. No breaks. Easy → Medium → Medium → Hard → Hard Win all five to complete the challenge and track your progress on Game Center. STATISTICS & ACHIEVEMENTS Track win rates, streaks, fastest victories, and total play time. Unlock badges and Game Center achievements tied to real milestones. DESIGNED FOR iOS * Flat, minimal design with Dark and Light mode. * Smooth animations and haptic feedback on every move. * Atmospheric audio and satisfying "game feel." CoreShift is free to play. Tournament rounds 3–5 and Hard AI require a one-time Pro upgrade ($3.99).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: CoreShift at Free against Backgammon Coach's $8.99. CoreShift also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). Backgammon Coach's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, 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
CoreShift is free to download; Backgammon Coach costs $8.99 up front. CoreShift sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Backgammon Coach asks for nothing beyond the download.
Backgammon Coach ships an update every 4 months, CoreShift every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Backgammon Coach | CoreShift |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 1.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 39.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.1 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Laurent Pichon | Jozsef Farkas |
In-app purchases
Backgammon Coach
No in-app purchases
CoreShift
- CoreShift Pro$3.99





