Comparison

Chess vs Chess Notation Dojo

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

Chess Notation Dojo

This game helps you master algebraic chess notation through interactive puzzles. Input the correct notation for each move to improve your blindfold chess skills. It's a fun way to train your familiarity with chess moves.

Highlights
  • Algebraic notation practice
  • Interactive chess puzzles
  • Blindfold chess training
  • Move input exercises
  • Familiarity with chess notation
Features
Read full description

If you want to learn how to play chess blindfolded, like me, then the first step is to become comfortable with algebraic notation. I made this game to help train familiarity with the notation, by solving puzzles that force you to input the correct notation on every move. Have fun!

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
Chess Notation Dojo3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chess Notation Dojo at none against Chess's 3. Chess Notation Dojo also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.1). Chess's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (1.6K vs 4). On price 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

Both are free to download. Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Chess Notation Dojo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess has 1.6K ratings behind it against 4, 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 67% of Chess Notation Dojo's.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Chess versus Chess Notation Dojo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessChess Notation Dojo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.6K ratings) — better4.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.110.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size276 MB51 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMastersoftJonathan Zheng

Customer experience

Chess

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

Chess Notation Dojo

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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

Chess Notation Dojo

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
None

Chess Notation Dojo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chess Notation Dojo free?
Chess Notation Dojo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Chess or Chess Notation Dojo?
Chess is rated higher. Chess averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Chess Notation Dojo averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.
Do Chess or Chess Notation Dojo have ads?
Chess shows ads; Chess Notation Dojo does not.

Other comparisons