3Chess vs Chess by Staple Games
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
3Chess
Experience a unique twist on the classic game with this three-player chess variant. Test your logic and strategy in real-time or turn-based matches across multiple platforms. Learn the ropes with interactive guides and play online with friends or anonymously.
- Three-player chess gameplay
- Real-time and turn-based online matches
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Interactive learning guides
- Offline 'pass and play' mode
- Anonymous play option
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Chess is the most popular game of all time, but have you ever wanted to play as three? 3Chess is a revolutionary three-player chess game that defies convention and redefines strategy. Our app seamlessly merges traditional chess rules with fresh possibilities, putting your logic, strategy, and anticipation skills to test like never before. TRIPLE THE STRATEGY, TRIPLE THE FUN: Three players on one board - are you ready for the challenge? ON YOUR TIME, AT YOUR PACE: Play real-time online matches or turn-based at your convenience with notifications when it's your turn. CROSS-PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY: Choose your battle station. Whether on your phone, tablet, or browser, play seamlessly across Mobile, and 3-chess.com. LEARN: With interactive guides, and hands-on demos, we aim to provide both newcomers and seasoned chess enthusiasts with the tools they need to master this unique variant of the age-old game. PRACTICE WITH BOTS: Play offline against two bots of your chosen level to sharpen your skills. Short a player online? Add a bot to fill the gap and play as two. CONNECT, COMPETE, CONQUER: Play online with friends, join public lobbies or indulge in offline 'pass and play'. Create an account or play anonymously. With triple the players and triple the intensity, 3Chess revolutionizes the game of strategy, offering a truly unique chess experience. Are you up for the challenge? Your feedback is invaluable to us. Please share your suggestions and comments. Visit us at https://3-chess.com for more details and updates.
Chess by Staple Games
Experience classic chess with a beautifully crafted app designed for all Apple devices. Enjoy solo practice against AI, local multiplayer, or online matches. Features include all official rules, accessibility options, and progress tracking.
- AI challenges with 6 difficulty levels
- Pass & Play for local face-to-face games
- Online multiplayer via Game Center
- Local wireless play over Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
- Full implementation of all chess rules
- Cross-device compatibility (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.)
- Accessibility features (VoiceOver, high contrast)
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Chess. Nothing more. Nothing less. We built the chess app we always wanted—one that respects the game and respects your time. No subscriptions. No ads interrupting your concentration. No bloated features you'll never use. Just chess, beautifully crafted for every Apple device you own. PLAY YOUR WAY • Solo Practice — Challenge our AI across 6 difficulty levels, from casual beginner to near-unbeatable expert. • Pass & Play — Hand your device to a friend and play face to face. • Online Multiplayer — Connect through Game Center to challenge friends or get matched with players worldwide. • Local Wireless — Play with someone nearby over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. No internet required. REAL CHESS. ALL THE RULES. Every rule, implemented correctly: • Castling (kingside and queenside) • En passant captures • Pawn promotion to any piece • Check, checkmate, and stalemate • Threefold repetition draws • Fifty-move rule ONE APP. EVERY APPLE DEVICE. iPhone. iPad. Mac. Apple TV. Apple Watch. Vision Pro. DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE • Full VoiceOver support with voice-guided gameplay • High contrast and colorblind modes • Large text and zoomed display options • 5 beautiful board themes • Dark mode TRACK YOUR JOURNEY • Climb through 10 ranks from Beginner to Mythic • Track your win streaks and daily play habits • Game Center achievements and leaderboards THE STAPLE GAMES PROMISE We make games the way they should be made. Simple interfaces. Thoughtful design. No dark patterns. Just quality software you can rely on. Download Chess by Staple Games. Play a match. That's it.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chess by Staple Games at 73% against 3Chess's 25%. Chess by Staple Games also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.2) and ads (none vs shown). 3Chess's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17). On price, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Chess by Staple Games holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of 3Chess's written reviews are positive against 73% of Chess by Staple Games's.
3Chess ships an update every 5 weeks, Chess by Staple Games every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 3Chess | Chess by Staple Games |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (5 ratings) | 4.7 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 73.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 17 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oliver Blade | Staple Games |
Customer experience
3Chess
Chess by Staple Games
In-app purchases
3Chess
No in-app purchases
Chess by Staple Games
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is 3Chess free?
Is Chess by Staple Games free?
Which has better reviews, 3Chess or Chess by Staple Games?
Do 3Chess or Chess by Staple Games have ads?
Which is updated more often, 3Chess or Chess by Staple Games?
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