Comparison

Chess vs Master Chess

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

Head to head
About

Chess

Master the game of chess with this comprehensive app. Learn step-by-step, play against adaptive AI across 100 difficulty levels, and sharpen your skills with thousands of puzzles. Enjoy offline play and track your progress with an ELO rating.

Highlights
  • 100 difficulty levels
  • Interactive learning coach
  • Thousands of chess puzzles
  • Adaptive AI opponent
  • ELO rating tracker
  • Multiple game modes
  • Offline play
Features
Read full description

Play Chess – Learn, Train & Challenge with the Ultimate Chess App Take your chess to the next level with the ultimate chess app for iPhone and iPad. Whether you’re a beginner learning chess, an intermediate player looking to improve, or an advanced competitor training like a grandmaster, our app has everything you need. Powered by an award-winning chess engine, it feels like you’re playing against a real opponent – not just a computer. With 100 skill levels, automatic ELO rating tracking, and personalized difficulty that adapts to your style, you’ll always find the perfect challenge. No accounts. No fuss. Just download and start playing chess instantly. Key Features World Chess Champion Software 2026 Award Winner using Ginkgo 150 difficulty levels – from beginner to grandmaster strength Adaptive chess engine – plays like a human and adjusts to your skill ELO rating calculator – track your progress and growth Powerful AI – ranked 4th in the World Microcomputer Chess Championship Learn chess with a built-in coach – highlights best moves and alternatives Solve 1000s of chess puzzles – improve tactics, strategy, and endgame skills Huge book of chess openings Database of famous chess games – study, replay, and analyze the masters Multiple modes – Classic, Blitz, Training, Two-Player, and Analysis Mode Custom boards and sets – from traditional chess book style to modern themes Full chess rules supported – castling, en passant, pawn promotion, and more Minimal ads, no login required – play chess instantly without interruptions Whether you enjoy casual games, serious training, or fast-paced blitz chess, this app has you covered. Always challenging, sometimes aggressive, and never boring – just like real chess should be. Perfect for: Beginners who want to learn chess step by step Casual players who enjoy fun, relaxing games Competitive players who want to train like a grandmaster Puzzle lovers who want to sharpen their tactics End User License Agreement ("Agreement") (EULA) https://www.mastersoft.biz/eula.htm Privacy policy https://www.mastersoft.biz/privacy.htm

About

Master Chess

Engage in the timeless strategy of chess against AI opponents or players worldwide. Master tactical moves to capture the opponent's king and achieve checkmate. This classic board game offers intuitive drag-and-drop controls for seamless gameplay.

Highlights
  • Play against computer AI
  • Compete with real players globally
  • Classic chess gameplay
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop controls
  • Capture the opponent's king
  • Achieve checkmate
Features
Read full description

Use the most effective strategies to defeat the computer or real players from all over the world in this classic game for all time. The goal of the game is to capture your opponent's king. This is done by moving the pieces on the board. Who will be the first to say "Checkmate". To make a move, click on the shape and drag it to the desired position. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
Master Chess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chess at 90% against Master Chess's 27%. Chess also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.1) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Master Chess sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess has 1.6K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Chess's written reviews are positive against 27% of Master Chess's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess ships an update every 5 days, Master Chess every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chess versus Master Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessMaster Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.6K ratings) — better3.1 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews — better27.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K — better17
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size276 MB42 MB
Age rating12++4
DeveloperMastersoftCode This Lab srl

Customer experience

Chess

All ratings1,556 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral3.9%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews2,036 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative5.5%

Master Chess

All ratings17 ratings
Positive47.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative47.1%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive27.3%
Neutral9.1%
Negative63.6%

Bugs and requests

Chess

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Pawn disappearing issue when castling
  • Ratings not updating properly after games
  • Crashes on certain iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • More detailed explanations for suggested moves
  • Option to play against other users online
  • Ability to set up custom board positions
  • Slower computer move speeds for beginners

Master Chess

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Chess

Subscriptions1
  • Chess Pro for 1 month.$2.991 Month
One-time2
  • Buy Chess Pro.$2.99
  • Upgrade to Ginkgo. 10% Off.$9.95
1 purchases

Master Chess

Subscriptions1
  • Chess Subscription$0.991 Month

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Master Chess free?
Master Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chess or Master Chess?
Chess is rated higher. Chess averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Master Chess averages 3.1 from 17 ratings.
Do Chess or Master Chess have ads?
Both Chess and Master Chess show ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess or Master Chess?
Chess ships an update every 5 days, and Master Chess every 3 months. Most recently, Chess was updated on October 24, 2026 and Master Chess on October 24, 2026.

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