# Chess Tactics and Lessons vs Encyclopedia 1 by Informant

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Chess Tactics and Lessons at 5.1K against Encyclopedia 1 by Informant's 49. Chess Tactics and Lessons also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). Encyclopedia 1 by Informant's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 85%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chess Tactics and Lessons sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Encyclopedia 1 by Informant sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Chess Tactics and Lessons against 4.9 for Encyclopedia 1 by Informant. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Tactics and Lessons has 5.1K ratings behind it against 49, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of Chess Tactics and Lessons's written reviews are positive against 100% of Encyclopedia 1 by Informant's.

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, Encyclopedia 1 by Informant every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess Tactics and Lessons | Encyclopedia 1 by Informant |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673/reviews) | **[4.9 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encyclopedia-1-by-informant/id1256484830/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.1K** | 49 |
| Positive reviews | 85.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 114 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lockwood Productions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/466891332) | [Chess King](https://appshunter.io/developer/1096660597) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess Tactics and Lessons

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673)

Master chess strategy and openings with this app. Practice unlimited tactics, follow detailed lessons, and save your favorite openings. Create your own content and learn from a supportive community.

**Highlights:** Unlimited tactics practice, Detailed chess lessons, Opening practice and saving, Create custom tactics and lessons, Learn from mistakes with explanations, Community comments and discussion, Customizable board design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly PRO Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Pro Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Marble Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Orange Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Green Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Enable Saved Puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 😃 Great for learning tactics
- 👍 Enjoyable and addictive
- 🚀 Excellent training tool
- 🤗 Helpful for improving chess skills
- 💯 Best tactics app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 💰 Subscription model too expensive
- 🤔 Some tactics are questionable
- 🙄 Too many queen sacrifices
- 😣 Difficult to navigate

**Reported bugs**

- Server connection issues
- White screen after updates
- Inability to delete account
- Incorrect move explanations

**Requested features**

- Ability to save tactics
- Offline mode
- Difficulty filtering
- Improved user interface
- More comprehensive lessons


### Encyclopedia 1 by Informant

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encyclopedia-1-by-informant/id1256484830)

This educational tool offers systematic chess combinations for players around ELO 2000. It provides interactive lessons, hints, and explanations to improve tactical skills and game knowledge. The app includes a free section for testing before unlocking more advanced topics.

**Highlights:** Systematic chess combinations, Interactive lessons and explanations, Hints and mistake refutations, Theoretical sections with interactive play, Progress monitoring (ELO rating), Offline play, Tablet optimized

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Course | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess Tactics and Lessons free?

Chess Tactics and Lessons is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Encyclopedia 1 by Informant free?

Encyclopedia 1 by Informant is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Chess Tactics and Lessons or Encyclopedia 1 by Informant?

Encyclopedia 1 by Informant is rated higher. Chess Tactics and Lessons averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while Encyclopedia 1 by Informant averages 4.9 from 49 ratings.

### Do Chess Tactics and Lessons or Encyclopedia 1 by Informant have ads?

Neither Chess Tactics and Lessons nor Encyclopedia 1 by Informant shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess Tactics and Lessons or Encyclopedia 1 by Informant?

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, and Encyclopedia 1 by Informant every 3 months. Most recently, Chess Tactics and Lessons was updated on November 8, 2026 and Encyclopedia 1 by Informant on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*