# Chess HD  ∙ vs Chess

The clearest difference is rating: Chess HD  ∙ at 4.4 against Chess's 3.1. Chess HD  ∙ also leads on ratings volume (8.1K vs 75) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 21 months). Chess's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 12.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Chess HD  ∙ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess HD  ∙ has 8.1K ratings behind it against 75, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Chess HD  ∙'s written reviews are positive against 49% of Chess's.

Chess HD  ∙ ships an update every 5 months, Chess every 21 months. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess HD  ∙ | Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (8.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-hd/id367637700/reviews)** | [3.1 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-free/id541067628/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8.1K** | 75 |
| Positive reviews | **55.3% of reviews** | 48.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 21 months |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 88 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **5.1.1** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Optime Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/289278460) | [况 郭](https://appshunter.io/developer/499174210) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess HD  ∙

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-hd/id367637700)

Experience a visually stunning chess game with excellent graphics and sound effects. Play against a challenging AI or a friend, with features like configurable difficulty, score tracking, and an undo function. Enjoy a free, ad-supported chess experience.

**Highlights:** High-definition graphics and sound effects, 1-player vs. computer and 2-player modes, Configurable AI difficulty, Score tracking and player names, Undo function, Automatic save

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast gameplay
- 👍 Adjustable difficulty levels
- 💡 Undo feature
- 🎨 Nice graphics and design
- 🧠 Helps improve chess skills

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches (illegal moves, pieces disappearing, incorrect checkmate/stalemate detection)
- 💰 Intrusive ads
- 🔒 No option to disable ads even after purchase
- ⏱️ Slow computer moves on higher difficulty
- 🔀 Inability to castle or move pieces as per rules

**Reported bugs**

- Pieces disappearing during gameplay
- Incorrect checkmate/stalemate detection
- Computer making illegal moves
- Game freezing or crashing
- Inability to undo after checkmate/stalemate

**Requested features**

- Landscape mode support
- Ability to track wins/losses/draws
- More customization options (piece designs, board colors, etc.)
- Tutorials or lessons for beginners
- Multiplayer mode with friends


### Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-free/id541067628)

Engage in classic chess with a feature-rich application. Play against AI across ten difficulty levels, challenge friends locally or online, and hone your skills with thousands of puzzles. Customize your experience with various board and piece styles.

**Highlights:** Play against AI or friends, 10 difficulty levels, Online and LAN multiplayer, 38,000+ chess puzzles, Customizable boards and pieces, Load/save games (PGN), Thousands of classic games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess HD  ∙ free?

Chess HD  ∙ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Chess free?

Chess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Chess HD  ∙ or Chess?

Chess HD  ∙ is rated higher. Chess HD  ∙ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 8.1K ratings, while Chess averages 3.1 from 75 ratings.

### Do Chess HD  ∙ or Chess have ads?

Both Chess HD  ∙ and Chess show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess HD  ∙ or Chess?

Chess HD  ∙ ships an update every 5 months, and Chess every 21 months. Most recently, Chess HD  ∙ was updated on October 20, 2026 and Chess on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*