# Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle vs Mini Chess

The clearest difference is update cadence: Mini Chess at every 3 weeks against Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle's every 30 months. Mini Chess also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 55%) and rating (4.6 vs 4.2). Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Mini Chess sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Mini Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mini Chess has 345 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle's written reviews are positive against 83% of Mini Chess's.

Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle ships an update every 30 months, Mini Chess every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle | Mini Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mate-in-one-move-chess-puzzle/id558485476/reviews) | **[4.6 (345 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-chess-quick-chess/id1048990809/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21 | **345** |
| Positive reviews | 55.0% of reviews | **82.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 30 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 30 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Absolutist Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/354691168) | [OutOfTheBit Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/286210012) |

## What reviewers say

### Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mate-in-one-move-chess-puzzle/id558485476)

This game challenges you to find a checkmate in a single move. It offers a vast library of chess puzzles designed to improve your tactical understanding and strategic planning. Suitable for players of all skill levels, it includes a manual for beginners.

**Highlights:** Perform checkmates in one move, 200+ chess puzzles, Incredible chessboard layouts, Recognize patterns and improve positioning, Level packs and hints, Flexible settings for all players

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Steinitz  Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lasker  Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Capablanca  Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 8 hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| All Packs | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 64 Hints | $1.99 | one-time |
| No ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### Mini Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-chess-quick-chess/id1048990809)

Enjoy a simplified, faster version of chess on your mobile device. Play against AI or a friend on a smaller board with fewer pieces. Ideal for beginners and quick matches.

**Highlights:** Simplified 6x6 chessboard, Fewer pieces (no knights/bishops), Play against 3 AI levels, Local multiplayer mode, Quick matches, Beginner-friendly

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast-paced, quick gameplay
- 👍 Easy to learn and beginner-friendly
- 🎮 Addictive and fun
- 💡 Innovative simplified chess concept
- ⚙️ Multiple difficulty levels

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Check notification animation interrupts gameplay flow
- 😴 Gets repetitive and stale quickly
- 🤖 AI makes too many mistakes, even on hard mode
- 📺 Excessive and intrusive ads
- ⚖️ Unfair perpetual check mechanics

**Reported bugs**

- Checkmate declared incorrectly with viable moves available
- Queen positioned on wrong color
- AI allows illegal moves to prevent player from winning
- Stalemate not handled correctly
- Perpetual check rules unfairly favor opponent

**Requested features**

- Add Knights and Bishops to piece options
- Alternative piece combinations (2 Rooks + 2 Bishops)
- Randomized starting positions
- Landscape mode for iPad
- Random color assignment (white/black alternation)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle free?

Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Mini Chess free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle or Mini Chess?

Mini Chess is rated higher. Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle averages 4.2 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Mini Chess averages 4.6 from 345 ratings.

### Do Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle or Mini Chess have ads?

Both Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle and Mini Chess show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle or Mini Chess?

Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle ships an update every 30 months, and Mini Chess every 3 weeks. Most recently, Mate in One Move. Chess Puzzle was updated on October 20, 2026 and Mini Chess on October 24, 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.*