Comparison

zChess vs Gambit/chess

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

Head to head
About

zChess

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zChess is an opening and tactic training app that teaches openings through interactive spaced repetition training sessions and chess puzzles. End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://zchess.app/privacy.html

About

Gambit/chess

A moody, noir-styled chess game designed for quick play without account creation. Easily invite friends with a code and enjoy a streamlined experience with helpful beginner features. Practice against AI or play with others, with unlimited games available via subscription.

Highlights
  • Account-free play
  • Private invite codes
  • AI practice modes
  • Legal move indicators
  • Full chess rules support
  • Auto-save and resume games
  • Subscription for unlimited play
Features
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a moody, noir-styled chess game built for two people who just want to play — not create accounts, remember passwords, or manage a clock. Start a game and send a short private invite code through Messages or any share sheet. Your friend taps it and you're both at the board in seconds. No email, no password, no friction. Want a handle instead? Claim a personal @handle with a live free-or-taken check as you type — still no sign-in form, ever. Beginners are genuinely welcome here. Tap any piece to see every legal move, captures marked differently, and the king glows the moment it's in check. Illegal moves are refused gently, never with a lecture. No friend online right now? Run a quick match against anyone, or practice against the app at one of three strengths that genuinely differ. Gentle wanders and leaves pieces hanging. Steady punishes obvious mistakes but misses deeper tricks. Sharp plays the strongest move it can find — and hides the legal-move dots entirely, so you read the board yourself. There are no hints anywhere in Gambit. Every game is won on your own judgment. Every rule is here: castling, en passant, promotion, check, checkmate, stalemate, repetition, and insufficient material. Follow the action in a live move list with classic notation and step-back review. Offer a draw, resign, or start a rematch with colours flipped. Left mid-game? Gambit remembers exactly where you were, even after losing signal, so you can pick the position back up whenever you're ready. Your first three games are free — no card and no sign-up. Spend them however you like, practice or against a friend. After that, Gambit Club unlocks unlimited games for $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. A board you have already started always stays playable. Gambit Club is an auto-renewing subscription that continues until you cancel it in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ No clocks. No puzzles. No ratings. No spectators. Just an atmospheric, confident board and the people you choose to sit down at it with. Download Gambit and send your first invite code tonight.

Screenshots

zChess3 screens
Gambit/chess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Gambit/chess at none against zChess's 2. Gambit/chess also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 9 days) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support 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. zChess sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Gambit/chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

zChess ships an update every 9 days, Gambit/chess every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
zChess versus Gambit/chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterzChessGambit/chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB14 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperBenjamin Zobristheather sherry

In-app purchases

2 purchases

zChess

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Access$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Access$49.991 Year
None

Gambit/chess

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is zChess free?
zChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gambit/chess free?
Gambit/chess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do zChess or Gambit/chess have ads?
Neither zChess nor Gambit/chess shows ads.
Which is updated more often, zChess or Gambit/chess?
zChess ships an update every 9 days, and Gambit/chess every 3 days. Most recently, zChess was updated on September 29, 2026 and Gambit/chess on September 25, 2026.

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