Comparison

Chess Pro with Coach vs Really Bad Chess+

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

Head to head
About

Chess Pro with Coach

Master the classic strategy game with this comprehensive chess application. Featuring multiple play modes, training tools, and a powerful engine, it caters to both beginners and experienced players aiming for Grandmaster level. Enjoy stunning HD artwork and a challenging human-like opponent.

Highlights
  • Six modes of play
  • Annotated databases and puzzles
  • Training and rated modes with ELO appraisal
  • World-class chess engine
  • 100 graded levels from novice to Grandmaster
  • Stunning HD artwork and Retina Display support
  • Hint facility and built-in coach
Features
Read full description

New Ginkgo option - World Chess Champion 2026 (ICGA). Special upgrade offer for a limited time. From Beginner (ELO 600) to AI Grandmaster (ELO 3600). Improves gameplay throughout the app. Plays like a human being at any level. Winner of "Best Strategy Game". Six modes of play. Annotated databases, Puzzles, Training Mode, Rated Mode with ELO appraisal, Blitz Mode, World Rankings and more ... Learn to play and master the classic strategy game Chess with an app that takes you from novice all the way to Grandmaster level with 100 graded levels! Mastersoft Chess has one of the World's best Desktop PC chess engines crammed inside! This engine finished 4th in the World Microcomputer Chess Championships and is not available in any other iPhone chess game. Designed by chess champions to play like a human opponent, Mastersoft Chess will take you from Novice to Grandmaster level! Features stunning high resolution sets by renowned Chess designers. Easy to play but difficult to beat, this is pick up and play chess at its best! As previously supplied by the World's biggest OEMs, and now available for a fraction of the original price thanks to the power of the App Store! The #1 Best Selling Chess App for iOS* PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS: "I bought all chess applications for iPhone and this one is probably better than many $7-9 applications. Check TEST ALL. 66 chess applications at only ONE page in the World ..." - www.chess-iphone.blogspot.com "It truly is close to flawless and is by far the best mobile Chess game I have played on any platform." - PDA 247. AWARDS HP Choice Strategy Game of the Year Smartphone Magazine runner up. Various levels, board styles and breathtaking Retina Display chess sets combine with an outstanding World beating chess engine to offer you a great playing experience and an ever increasing challenge. Whether you're just starting out or else a seasoned pro, Mastersoft Chess has something for you! BEGINNERS Hint facility. Built in coach to monitor your progress Training levels that dumb down your iPhone / iPod Touch. Take back a move if you change your mind! Your iPhone/iPod Touch checks that your moves are allowed. Simple intuitive uncluttered interface that lets you concentrate on your game. NB If you are new to Chess then please ensure that the coach is turned on in options and that the lowest difficulty level is selected. GRANDMASTERS A unique engine unlike any other - plays interesting and sometimes quite aggressive chess. Designed to play like a human opponent - right up to Grandmaster level! Huge opening Book 100% Full Chess rules including enpassant, castling etc. Thought analysis (main line, depth and score). Setup position (including castling rights, enpassant and side to move) Move forward / backward to any point in the current game. Includes Standard Chess Book Sets in addition to the realistic ones. OTHER FEATURES Huge collection of stunning high resolution chess sets in both 2D and 3D. Makes the most of Retina Display! Boards constructed from the real thing - Oak, Ash, Marble, Slate and more! Save and load games. Realistic sound effects. Adjustable piece movement animation. Autosaving of your current game. Great for novices but will grow with you and still offer a challenge at Championship level. Universal App. Play on your iPod, iPhone and iPad. No additional purchase necessary. Great value! Source: US App Store 2011. New sets, new boards, improved engine, universal app, retina artwork and more! Voted No1 best Chess app! PS Don't forget the EN PASSANT Pawns Chess rule!

About

Really Bad Chess+

Experience chess with a chaotic twist! This app replaces standard pieces with random assortments, forcing you to rethink strategy. Perfect for both seasoned players seeking a new challenge and beginners looking to learn the fundamentals in a fun, unpredictable way.

Highlights
  • Random piece assignments
  • AI challenges (Ranked, Daily, Weekly)
  • Freeplay mode
  • Local versus mode
  • Daily chess puzzles
  • New strategic challenges
Features
Read full description

Really Bad Chess is just like chess, but with totally random pieces. Try 8 Knights, 4 Bishops, and 3 pawns — why not? Whether you play chess daily, or quit just after learning the rules, this small twist will open the door to an entire new world of chess. Compete vs. an AI in Ranked, Daily, or Weekly Challenges. Improve your skills using the included Freeplay mode. Compete against your friends locally in versus mode! Warm up every day with our new daily chess puzzle — Knight Hike! ------A WORD FROM THE DEVELOPER Chess is one of those games I always wished I enjoyed, but its commitment to beauty, elegance, and perfect balance always turned me away. Really Bad Chess removes these boring restrictions and flips chess on its head. As much as random pieces change the game in some ways, I was really surprised to notice how much the game remains the same, and how powerful some pieces are — you've never truly struggled against a pawn until you've struggled against a pawn in the back row. For chess pros, Really Bad Chess will give you a new type of challenge — the pieces & the moves are the same, but you'll have to throw out your openings and your understanding of normal patterns of play. For novice chess players (like most of us), Really Bad Chess greatly opens up the game. Instead of starting by studying openings, in your first games you'll get to discover the joy (and challenge!) of learning how to checkmate. -zach

Screenshots

Chess Pro with Coach4 screens
Really Bad Chess+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Really Bad Chess+ at Free against Chess Pro with Coach's $2.99. Really Bad Chess+ also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Chess Pro with Coach's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.4) and review sentiment (88% vs 54%). On ads, device support and 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

Really Bad Chess+ is free to download; Chess Pro with Coach costs $2.99 up front. Chess Pro with Coach sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Really Bad Chess+ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess Pro with Coach holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Pro with Coach has 2K ratings behind it against 165, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Chess Pro with Coach's written reviews are positive against 54% of Really Bad Chess+'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Pro with Coach ships an update weekly, Really Bad Chess+ every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Chess Pro with Coach versus Really Bad Chess+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess Pro with CoachReally Bad Chess+
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (2K ratings) — better3.4 (165 ratings)
Positive reviews87.7% of reviews — better54.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2K — better165
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size122 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMastersoftZach Gage

Customer experience

Chess Pro with Coach

All ratings1,986 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews878 reviews
Positive87.7%
Neutral3.8%
Negative8.5%

Really Bad Chess+

All ratings165 ratings
Positive57.6%
Neutral6.7%
Negative35.8%
Written reviews100 reviews
Positive54.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative36.0%

Bugs and requests

Chess Pro with Coach

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Really Bad Chess+

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App zoomed in, parts of board/UI cut off (recent update)
  • Cannot make legal moves
  • Game won't allow moves out of check
  • AI gets stuck in infinite loops
  • Incorrect checkmate detection
Show 4 more
  • Pieces glitching
  • Cannot undo after checkmate
  • App not fitting on iPhone screen
  • Menu options cut off

Requested features

10 requests
  • Add draws by repetition/stalemate
  • Option for mirrored pieces
  • Tutorial for beginners
  • Ability to play online multiplayer
  • Option to see solution for daily challenges
Show 5 more
  • Mac app availability
  • Option to keep board on screen after game
  • Adjustable AI difficulty
  • More board/theme options
  • Animations for piece movement

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Chess Pro with Coach

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Chess Ginkgo.$9.99
None

Really Bad Chess+

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess Pro with Coach free?
Chess Pro with Coach costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Really Bad Chess+ free?
Really Bad Chess+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Chess Pro with Coach or Really Bad Chess+?
Chess Pro with Coach is rated higher. Chess Pro with Coach averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while Really Bad Chess+ averages 3.4 from 165 ratings.
Do Chess Pro with Coach or Really Bad Chess+ have ads?
Neither Chess Pro with Coach nor Really Bad Chess+ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Pro with Coach or Really Bad Chess+?
Chess Pro with Coach ships an update weekly, and Really Bad Chess+ every 3 months. Most recently, Chess Pro with Coach was updated on September 25, 2026 and Really Bad Chess+ on September 6, 2026.

Other comparisons