Comparison

Chess vs ChessMatch2

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

ChessMatch2

Engage in real-time or correspondence chess matches remotely. Replay games with variable speed and interactive annotation, or practice speed chess with adjustable time delays. Features over 230 annotated matches and openings.

Highlights
  • Remote real-time chess via FaceTime screen sharing
  • Correspondence chess via text or email
  • Variable speed annotated match replay
  • Fully interactive chessboard with Z-Override
  • Over 230 annotated matches and openings
  • Adjustable time delay for speed chess practice
Features
Read full description

>>>Welcome to ChessMatch2++ -> Chess Club of Champions!!~ ->Featuring VARIABLE SPEED Annotated Match REPLAY & Fully INTERACTIVE Chessboard w/ Z-Override -Play Chess REMOTELY in Real-Time via FaceTime Screen Sharing from ANYWHERE in the Entire WORLD!~ FaceTime Chess!! -> to Play Chess via FaceTime Screen Sharing: [Connect via FaceTime] -> [Select "SHARE MY SCREEN" Option] -> [Press NEW Button] -> [Create New Annotated MOVES LIST Match] or [Tap Chess Pieces to MOVE] >>> it's so EASY!~ -Play CORRESPONDENCE Chess via TextMessage or Email -> w/ Algebraic Notation Match Moves Lists or by using GALLERY of Chessboards ->With Over 230+ Annotated Matches & Chess Openings Included, there is Plenty of Room to Grow [Press GAMES -> Select a Match -> Press REPLAY to Move the Chess Pieces Automatically!~ ] 1) GAMES -> ALGEBRAIC NOTATION Play:......COPY & PASTE Entire Chess Matches into the "MATCH MOVES LIST" ****Tap "LOAD" button to Update MOVES List Changes ****Use "Qa1c3Z" notation style to OVERRIDE Normal Play......add or remove ANY Chess pieces.....Intended for Use by PROMOTED PAWNS....add a "Z" ***Navigate Match MOVES using Forwards & Backwards --> ARROW Buttons......Tap "GALLERY" Button to EXIT REPLAY Mode ******Go FAST, Go Slow or even Go Backwards!~ 2) GALLERY of Chessboards......just like a REAL Chess Set........just TAP "FROM" Square & "TO" Square ***to SAVE Progress -> Press COPY....*GALLERY Chessboards RETURN to ORIGINAL Mint Condition on Exit ***Navigate Stored CHESS GAMES using ARROW Buttons ......Add Pieces by Tapping Mountain for MENU -> MOUNTAIN Menu (Icon) -> REPLAY Variable Speed Adjust (ex. 0.089) / SILENT Option / Purple & Red Pieces for Manual Chessboard Demonstrations -ChessMatch2 is Designed to use Standard FIDE Formatting....[*Z-Override for PAWNs which have been PROMOTED] **Q = Queen, K = King, B = Bishop, R = Rook, N = Knight & (P = Pawn for Z-Override Moves) **Promoted Pawn Pieces use the simple “Qa1c3Z” format -> [Chess Piece + SquareOne + SquareTwo + Z] -MATCH NOTES TextField is Provided for COMMENTARY Purposes ONLY & Plays NO ROLE in Actually Moving the Chess Pieces  -Practice Speed Chess Decision Making & Convenience with ADJUSTABLE Time Delay REPLAY (located in Mountain Menu) **If a Chess Piece is NOT Moving…or is Coming Back to Life…..check for NOTATION Formatting Error or Match Rule Breaking issue ***Common Notation MIstakes: 1) not including “x” in Qxd3 -> when Capturing a Piece, 2) Illegal Move without Using Z-Override -> Pawn Moving too many Squares / Knight moving to illegal Square / Row Numbering 1 - 8 / etc ***Common Wrong Piece Moved Issue: Two Knights & Two Rooks OVERLAP -> If Both Knights or Both Rooks can Legally Move to the Square, just Add Initial ROW or COLUMN Designator to Specify Desired ACTIVE Chess Piece -> ex. Rxdb3 or Rx4b3   ->To Force an illegal Chess Move, use the Qb3d5Z style OVERRIDE method provided….ChessMatch2 is great for Special Demonstrations & Student Instruction -> for iPads: ADVANCE Chess Pieces by Tapping the Left & Right Edges of the Screen when Enjoying an Annotated ChessMatch in LANDSCAPE Mode! **Playing via MOVES LIST MATCH is Recommended -> [Modify MOVES LIST] -> [Press LOAD Button] -> [Press REPLAY Button] -> [Enjoy!] -> [Repeat] **to Adjust Annotated Match REPLAY Speed: [Press GAMES] -> [Press OPTIONS] -> [Scroll Down & Press "Mountain MENU"] -> [Modify Decimal Number -> Smaller is Faster!] -> [Press REPLAY] ***During a Moves List Match, ALL of the Chess Pieces can be Moved or Modified without Interfering with the Match -> this makes ChessMatch2 Perfect for Demonstrations / Departures / Practice / & LEARNING -> or even Do-Over's!~ -> Chess CLOCK -> Fischer Increment / Bronstein Delay / Sudden Chess / & US Delay! -> [GAMES] -> [OPTIONS] -> [Chess CLOCK] -> the Chessboard dates back to the 1600s & the Oldest Match is from 1475 ----------> ChessMatch2 is your BEST MOVE!++

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
ChessMatch24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chess at Free against ChessMatch2's $0.99. Chess also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 1) and device support (4 vs 2). ChessMatch2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence 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

Chess is free to download; ChessMatch2 costs $0.99 up front. Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. ChessMatch2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ChessMatch2 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess has 1.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess ships an update every 5 days, ChessMatch2 every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Chess versus ChessMatch2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessChessMatch2
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.7 (1.6K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size276 MB16 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMastersoftJack McCormack

Customer experience

Chess

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

ChessMatch2

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

ChessMatch2

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

ChessMatch2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ChessMatch2 free?
ChessMatch2 costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Chess or ChessMatch2?
ChessMatch2 is rated higher. Chess averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while ChessMatch2 averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Chess or ChessMatch2 have ads?
Chess shows ads; ChessMatch2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Chess or ChessMatch2?
Chess ships an update every 5 days, and ChessMatch2 every 9 days. Most recently, Chess was updated on October 24, 2026 and ChessMatch2 on October 19, 2026.

Other comparisons