Comparison

Chess Combinations vs PatternForge

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

Head to head
About

Chess Combinations

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The application offers solving chess problems, divided into sections by openings and their variations or types of tactical techniques. The goal of each task is to find a combination to mate the king, achieve an advantage, and win pieces. In most sections of the application, after solving each problem, you can see the entire chess game from which the position was obtained.

About

PatternForge

This app uses spaced repetition to help you master chess tactics. Solve puzzles adapted to your skill level, review them on a schedule, and import your own games to turn mistakes into training opportunities. Create custom puzzle sets to focus on specific patterns and improve your game.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition training
  • Adaptive puzzle difficulty
  • Game import from Chess.com/Lichess
  • Custom puzzle sets
  • Theme-based training
  • Progress tracking
Read full description

PatternForge is a chess tactics trainer built around spaced repetition — so patterns actually stick instead of fading after one session. HOW IT WORKS 1. Train — Solve puzzles adapted to your level. Missed puzzles come back until you learn them. 2. Review — Patterns repeat on a schedule so you build automatic recognition. 3. Import — Pull your games from Chess.com or Lichess and turn your real mistakes into training. 4. Build — Create custom puzzle sets from PGNs, studies, or the full puzzle pool. FEATURES · Spaced repetition training · Adaptive puzzle difficulty (Glicko rating) · Game import from Chess.com and Lichess · Custom puzzle sets from PGNs and studies · Woodpecker method cycling · Theme-based training (forks, pins, skewers, and more) · Progress tracking and stats · Lichess puzzle database TRAINING MODES · Standard — Daily training with new and review puzzles · Woodpecker — Cycle through a set with increasing speed Stop grinding random puzzles. Start building real pattern recognition. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://patternforge.app/privacy

Screenshots

Chess Combinations4 screens
PatternForge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PatternForge at every 2 days against Chess Combinations's every 2 weeks. Chess Combinations's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Chess Combinations sells 23 one-off in-app purchases and PatternForge sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Combinations ships an update every 2 weeks, PatternForge every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Chess Combinations versus PatternForge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess CombinationsPatternForge
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMaksim KolosovZYAGA LLC

In-app purchases

23 purchases

Chess Combinations

One-time23
  • Knight forks$1.99
  • Sacrifice on e6$3.99
  • Scandinavian Defense (white)$4.99
Show 20 more
  • Italian Opening, black pieces$4.99
  • Queen Sacrifice$4.99
  • Caro-Kann (white pieces)$4.99
  • Sicilian Defense (Dragon)$5.99
  • Sicilian Defense (Najdorf)$5.99
  • Italian Opening, white pieces$5.99
  • Scandinavian Defense$5.99
  • Classic Caro-Kann$5.99
  • Sicilian Defense (Paulsen)$5.99
  • Sicilian Defense, white pieces$5.99
  • Scottish Gambit$5.99
  • Budapest Gambit$6.99
  • Grob's Attack$6.99
  • Slav Defense$6.99
  • Ruy Lopez Opening$6.99
  • London System$6.99
  • King's Indian defense$6.99
  • Queen's Gambit, black pieces$6.99
  • Catalan Opening$7.99
  • King's Gambit$8.99
2 purchases

PatternForge

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Chess Combinations free?
Chess Combinations is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PatternForge free?
PatternForge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chess Combinations or PatternForge have ads?
Neither Chess Combinations nor PatternForge shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Combinations or PatternForge?
Chess Combinations ships an update every 2 weeks, and PatternForge every 2 days. Most recently, Chess Combinations was updated on October 3, 2026 and PatternForge on October 19, 2026.

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