# Chess Tactics and Lessons vs OpenChess

The clearest difference is ads: OpenChess at none against Chess Tactics and Lessons's shown. OpenChess also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Chess Tactics and Lessons's advantage is ratings volume (5K vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 OpenChess sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

OpenChess holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Tactics and Lessons has 5K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, OpenChess fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess Tactics and Lessons | OpenChess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openchess-an-opening-explorer/id6504700904/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 83.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 37 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lockwood Productions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/466891332) | [David Bryant](https://appshunter.io/developer/1559648957) |

## 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


### OpenChess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openchess-an-opening-explorer/id6504700904)

Master chess openings by playing against a specialized AI. Explore specific defenses or move sequences, and gain insights into positional advantages and piece values. Improve your game from the very first moves.

**Highlights:** Learn specific chess openings, Play against AI focused on opening lines, Analyze positional advantages, Evaluate piece values and mobility, Understand pawn structure, Track defended and attacked pieces

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tarrasch Defense Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Trompowsky Attack Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Scandinavian Defense Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Three Knights Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Zukertort Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Van't Kruijs Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vienna Game Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ware Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Opening Explorer | $4.99 | one-time |
| OpenChess Premium | $19.99 | 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 OpenChess free?

OpenChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Chess Tactics and Lessons or OpenChess?

OpenChess is rated higher. Chess Tactics and Lessons averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while OpenChess averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Chess Tactics and Lessons or OpenChess have ads?

Chess Tactics and Lessons shows ads; OpenChess does not.

### Which is updated more often, Chess Tactics and Lessons or OpenChess?

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, and OpenChess fortnightly. Most recently, Chess Tactics and Lessons was updated on September 23, 2026 and OpenChess on August 30, 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.*