Chess Pro with Coach vs Alien Bloom
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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!
Alien Bloom
Engage in a strategic multiplayer card game where three players vie for planetary control. Utilize unique factions, claim territories, and engage in tactical card-based battles across different dimensions. Victory can be achieved through various strategic paths, including territory collection, faction-specific goals, or player elimination.
- Multiplayer strategy card battles
- Turn-based territory control
- Cosmic world map with tactical choices
- Unique sci-fi factions
- Special abilities and space battles
- Bot opponents for faster matchmaking
- Multiple paths to victory
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Three players. One Earth. Alien Bloom is a free-to-play 3-player strategy card game where you expand across the world, attack enemy territories, and use cards to decide every battle. Control 5 territories in a row to win. EXPAND. ATTACK. CONQUER. Take territories on the World Map and build toward a winning line. Attack another player and the fight moves to a card battle. Win the battle and claim the territory. Every move matters. A single territory can block an opponent, complete your own line, unlock a powerful bonus, or open an entirely new battlefield. CARDS DECIDE EVERY BATTLE. Fight across multiple card-based battle systems: • World Battles — Attack and defend territories using a fast high-card battle system. • Space Battles — Send spaceships into orbit and fight with hands inspired by 3-Card Poker. • 5th Dimension Battles — Battle for powerful planets using a two-hand system inspired by Pai Gow Poker. ESCALATE THE WAR. Capture key territories to unlock powerful weapons and abilities, including the Space Cannon, Plasma Turret, CryoStorm Device, Nuclear Strikes, and the Superweapon. Battles can begin on Earth and end in space or even the 5th Dimension. CHOOSE YOUR FACTION. Play as one of four asymmetrical factions: • Humanity — Mobility and Airships • Cybernetics — Stealth and deception • The Orcus — Parasites and opportunism • The Aliens — Powerful Motherships THREE PATHS TO VICTORY. • Control 5 territories in a row. • Complete your faction's unique victory condition. • Become the Sole Survivor. Jump into multiplayer matches against human players, with bots available to fill empty seats when needed. Learn the basics quickly, discover deeper strategies, try different factions, and conquer Earth again. Conquer territories. Battle with cards. Control 5 in a row.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Alien Bloom at Free against Chess Pro with Coach's $2.99. Alien Bloom also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). Chess Pro with Coach's advantage is ratings volume (2K vs 11) and device support (4 vs 2). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Alien Bloom is free to download; Chess Pro with Coach costs $2.99 up front. Chess Pro with Coach sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Alien Bloom sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Alien Bloom holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Pro with Coach has 2K ratings behind it against 11, 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 100% of Alien Bloom's.
Chess Pro with Coach ships an update weekly, Alien Bloom every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chess Pro with Coach | Alien Bloom |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (2K ratings) | 5.0 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 87.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2K — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 122 MB | 330 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Mastersoft | Bestwood Studios LLC |
Customer experience
Chess Pro with Coach
Alien Bloom
In-app purchases
Chess Pro with Coach
- Upgrade to Chess Ginkgo.$9.99
Alien Bloom
- Aliens Faction$6.99
- Star Rangers$6.99
- Monarchs Faction$6.99
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- The Scions$6.99
Questions
Is Chess Pro with Coach free?
Is Alien Bloom free?
Which has better reviews, Chess Pro with Coach or Alien Bloom?
Do Chess Pro with Coach or Alien Bloom have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chess Pro with Coach or Alien Bloom?
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