# Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles vs Chess Tactics and Lessons

The clearest difference is price: Chess Tactics and Lessons at Free against Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles's $0.99. Chess Tactics and Lessons also leads on ratings volume (5.1K vs 41) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 7 months). Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On rating, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Chess Tactics and Lessons is free to download; Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles costs $0.99 up front. Chess Tactics and Lessons sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles against 4.8 for Chess Tactics and Lessons. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Tactics and Lessons has 5.1K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles's written reviews are positive against 85% of Chess Tactics and Lessons's.

Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles ships an update every 7 months, Chess Tactics and Lessons every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles | Chess Tactics and Lessons |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mate-in-1-chess-puzzles/id368403230/reviews)** | [4.8 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **5.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **91.6% of reviews** | 85.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 114 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gano Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/333237652) | [Lockwood Productions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/466891332) |

## What reviewers say

### Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mate-in-1-chess-puzzles/id368403230)

This app offers over 180 interactive chess puzzles focused on delivering checkmate in a single move. It's designed for both beginners and experienced players looking to sharpen their tactical skills. Enjoy a variety of classical puzzles with customizable piece sets and color schemes.

**Highlights:** Over 180 chess puzzles, Checkmate in 1 move challenges, Customizable piece sets and color schemes, Timing clock and puzzle solving times, Leaderboards for social comparison, Facebook integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for beginners
- 📈 Improves chess game
- 💡 Helps recognize patterns
- 🧠 Good for mental exercise
- 📱 Easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🥱 Too easy for advanced players
- 🔄 Repetitive puzzles
- ⏳ Puzzles load slowly
- 📱 Limited puzzle count
- 📱 Interface can be clumsy

**Reported bugs**

- App hangs and puzzles don't load
- App freezes up
- Issues after puzzle 50

**Requested features**

- Mode to answer in notation
- More setups/puzzles
- Expert stage with advanced moves
- Ability to turn iPad sideways
- Dark mode


### Chess Tactics and Lessons

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673)

Master chess strategy and openings with this app. Practice unlimited tactics, follow detailed lessons, and save your favorite openings. Create your own content and learn from a supportive community.

**Highlights:** Unlimited tactics practice, Detailed chess lessons, Opening practice and saving, Create custom tactics and lessons, Learn from mistakes with explanations, Community comments and discussion, Customizable board design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly PRO Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Pro Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Marble Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Orange Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Green Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Enable Saved Puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 😃 Great for learning tactics
- 👍 Enjoyable and addictive
- 🚀 Excellent training tool
- 🤗 Helpful for improving chess skills
- 💯 Best tactics app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 💰 Subscription model too expensive
- 🤔 Some tactics are questionable
- 🙄 Too many queen sacrifices
- 😣 Difficult to navigate

**Reported bugs**

- Server connection issues
- White screen after updates
- Inability to delete account
- Incorrect move explanations

**Requested features**

- Ability to save tactics
- Offline mode
- Difficulty filtering
- Improved user interface
- More comprehensive lessons


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles free?

Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Chess Tactics and Lessons free?

Chess Tactics and Lessons is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles or Chess Tactics and Lessons?

Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles is rated higher. Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles averages 4.9 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Chess Tactics and Lessons averages 4.8 from 5.1K ratings.

### Do Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles or Chess Tactics and Lessons have ads?

Neither Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles nor Chess Tactics and Lessons shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles or Chess Tactics and Lessons?

Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles ships an update every 7 months, and Chess Tactics and Lessons every 5 weeks. Most recently, Mate in 1 Chess Puzzles was updated on November 6, 2026 and Chess Tactics and Lessons on November 6, 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.*