Comparison

Chess vs TactiChess

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

TactiChess

Features
Read full description

TactiChess is an elegant chess training app that combines tactical puzzles with AI gameplay in a beautiful, minimalist design. Perfect for both beginners and experienced players looking to improve their chess skills. FEATURES: • PUZZLE MODE Master chess tactics with four different puzzle types: - Mate in 2: Find checkmate sequences in just two moves - Mate in 3: Solve more complex checkmate puzzles in three moves - Win Material: Identify tactical opportunities to gain an advantage - Best Move: Find the strongest move in critical positions Each puzzle type comes with multiple difficulty levels (Easy, Medium, Hard) to match your skill level and help you progress at your own pace. • AI GAME MODE Test your skills against a simulated chess engine with adjustable difficulty: - Easy: Perfect for beginners learning the game - Medium: Provides a balanced challenge for casual players - Hard: Offers a serious test for experienced players Play as either white or black pieces and develop strategies for both sides of the board. • ELEGANT DESIGN - Beautiful minimalist interface with a classic chess aesthetic - Intuitive controls and smooth animations - Clear visual feedback for moves and solutions - Elegant grayscale color palette that emphasizes the traditional black and white nature of chess • TRAINING FEATURES - Instant feedback on your moves - Solution hints when you get stuck - Progress through puzzles at your own pace - Random puzzle selection for varied practice TactiChess is designed to help you think like a chess master. By regularly solving tactical puzzles and playing against the AI, you'll develop pattern recognition, calculation skills, and strategic thinking that will improve your overall chess performance. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, TactiChess offers the perfect chess training experience to fit your schedule. Download now and start improving your chess tactics today!

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
TactiChess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chess at Free against TactiChess's $2.99. Chess also leads on device support (4 vs 2). TactiChess's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On iOS requirement 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; TactiChess costs $2.99 up front. Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. TactiChess asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chess versus TactiChess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessTactiChess
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.114.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size276 MB1 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMastersoftKilho Shin

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

TactiChess

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

TactiChess

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TactiChess free?
TactiChess costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chess or TactiChess have ads?
Chess shows ads; TactiChess does not.

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