Comparison

Chess Deluxe vs 65gammon

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

Head to head
About

Chess Deluxe

Enjoy a classic chess experience with a beautiful interface and adaptive AI. Play against smart opponents, challenge friends locally or online, and track your progress with detailed game history. This app offers a distraction-free environment for pure chess enjoyment across multiple devices.

Highlights
  • Smart AI opponents (Easy, Medium, Hard)
  • Local multiplayer (same device)
  • Online matches via Game Center
  • Unlimited undo/redo
  • Move history in Standard Algebraic Notation
  • Light and dark themes
  • iCloud settings sync
Features
Read full description

Experience the timeless game of chess with beautiful design and intelligent gameplay. Chess Deluxe brings the classic strategy game to life with a modern, elegant interface and responsive AI that adapts to your skill level. Whether you're learning your first moves or honing your tactics, enjoy chess exactly how you want to play it - with no ads, no distractions, just pure chess. Play Your Way: - Smart AI opponents with Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulties that provide quick, challenging gameplay - Local multiplayer for face-to-face games on the same device - Game Center integration for online matches with friends anywhere - Flexible move controls with unlimited undo/redo and move highlighting - Complete game tracking with move history in Standard Algebraic Notation Beautiful & Intuitive: - Clean, distraction-free interface designed for pure chess enjoyment - Smooth animations and satisfying piece movement - Board rotation for comfortable two-player games - Captured pieces display and game timer with customisable durations - Light and dark themes to match your preference - Crisp sounds that enhance gameplay without interruption Seamlessly Connected: - Settings sync across all your devices with iCloud - Navigate through your game history by selecting any completed move - No advertisements to interrupt your focus - Universal purchase includes iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions Chess Deluxe is crafted for chess lovers who appreciate thoughtful design and straightforward gameplay. From quick casual games to focused strategy sessions, experience chess the way it should be - simple, beautiful, and always ready when you are.

About

65gammon

Features
Read full description

65gammon is a modern platform for Backgammon and Nardy, built for players who want ranked competition, deep analysis, and a clean path to improvement. Play Backgammon and Nardy • Classic Backgammon with Elo ranked matchmaking • Full Nardy support with variant-specific lessons and analysis • Live tournaments with points, standings, and streaks • Challenge friends, rematch instantly, and climb the leaderboards Learn and improve • Move-by-move analysis with blunder detection • Better-line suggestions after each game • Opening guides and probability-based insights • Dedicated Nardy coaching and structured lessons Compete with confidence • Elo ratings across supported rulesets • Global and tournament leaderboards • Friend challenges, rematches, and ranked online play Polished mobile experience • Refined board design and distraction-free layout • Fast touch-first gameplay • Improved AI speed and smoother navigation • Instant rematches from the end-game screen • Cross-device play so you can continue where you left off Why 65gammon? One app for Backgammon and Nardy, with ranked play, tournaments, analysis, and lessons for players who want to improve.

Screenshots

Chess Deluxe4 screens
65gammon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 65gammon at Free against Chess Deluxe's $2.99. 65gammon also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17). On ads, in-app purchases 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

65gammon is free to download; Chess Deluxe costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Deluxe ships an update every 2 months, 65gammon every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Chess Deluxe versus 65gammon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess Deluxe65gammon
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (190 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews32.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings190 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1715.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB32 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNicholas CookeFilips JUzilins

Bugs and requests

Chess Deluxe

Reported bugs

28 issues
  • Computer won't let you win
  • Computer moves king to white king
  • Game says won when losing
  • All pieces are black
  • Cannot castle king and rook
Show 23 more
  • Hard version is easy to beat
  • Movements don't feel good
  • Sound isn't good
  • Cannot play online without crashing
  • No way to start a game
  • No play button
  • Unable to use program
  • Doesn't work on iPad
  • Doesn't seem to work on IOS 9
  • Unable to go past add player name screen
  • Game ends with incorrect checkmate
  • Rook unable to move to corner piece
  • Check counted as checkmate
  • Stalemate called incorrectly
  • Computer castles illegally
  • Computer throws pieces away
  • Internet mode doesn't work
  • Cannot find users online
  • King turns into opponent's queen
  • Valid moves blocked
  • Cannot play online without redoing moves
  • Castling doesn't work
  • Cannot resign or remove game

Requested features

8 requests
  • How to record a game
  • Intermediate difficulty level
  • Option to turn off timer
  • See board labels (g column cut off)
  • Board labels visible with pieces
Show 3 more
  • Cross-platform compatibility (iPhone/Mac)
  • Sound effects for piece movements
  • Online play beyond Wi-Fi proximity

65gammon

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Chess Deluxe

No in-app purchases

None

65gammon

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess Deluxe free?
Chess Deluxe costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is 65gammon free?
65gammon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chess Deluxe or 65gammon have ads?
Neither Chess Deluxe nor 65gammon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Deluxe or 65gammon?
Chess Deluxe ships an update every 2 months, and 65gammon every 3 weeks. Most recently, Chess Deluxe was updated on November 6, 2026 and 65gammon on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons