Tactrix vs Chessnut Next
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tactrix
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Tactrix – The block puzzle that feels like flow. Drag shapes onto a 9×9 grid, complete rows and columns, and watch lines vanish in a burst of satisfying effects. Tactrix blends meditative calm with strategic depth – no time pressure, no stress. Just you, the shapes, and your next move. EASY TO LEARN. HARD TO MASTER. 18 unique, nature-inspired shapes – from tiny Seeds to sprawling Gardens – demand smart, tactical placement. A ghost preview shows you exactly where each piece lands. Pulsing highlights reveal which lines you're about to clear before you even let go. Release – and enjoy the payoff. COMBOS THAT ACTUALLY FEEL AMAZING. When a row and column fall at the same time, your combo counter explodes. Up to 3× multiplier, tiered celebration effects, and a sound design that celebrates every clear – from a clean Single to the legendary Quad-Clear. As your run level climbs, your bonus grows and the arena shifts around you. KEEP COMING BACK – EVERY DAY. - Daily & weekly missions with XP rewards - Run-level progression with milestones and unlocks - Stacked bonuses: Daily Streak × Run Level = maximum score - Personal best tracking with a celebration on every new record - Auto-save – your progress is always there when you return A GAME THAT LOOKS LIKE IT FEELS. The "Forest Bloom" palette – Rose, Violet, Sky, Moss, Amber, and Coral – creates an atmosphere that is both calming and alive. Fluid animations and rich haptic feedback make every move feel like a small moment worth savoring. Tactrix is free to play. Occasional ads appear between run-level transitions and after a game ends – never during active gameplay. Make your first move. You won't want to stop.
Chessnut Next
Enhance your chess experience by connecting a smart board to digitally record moves, play against AI, and analyze games. Offers tactical training, custom position creation, and voice input for hands-free play. Review your games with detailed reports and share your progress.
- Smart board connection
- Play against chess engines
- Automatic game recording
- On-device Stockfish analysis
- Tactical training and puzzles
- Board editor and position recognition
- Voice move input
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Chessnut Next is the companion app for Chessnut smart chessboards, bringing physical chess and digital tools together in one seamless experience. Connect a compatible Chessnut board to play naturally with real pieces while the app synchronizes positions, records moves, and saves your games automatically. Whether you are playing against a computer, practicing tactics, reviewing a finished game, or playing face-to-face, Chessnut Next helps you get more from every move. Key Features • Smart Board Connection Connect a compatible Chessnut electronic chessboard and synchronize physical positions with the app in real time. • Play Against Chess Engines Challenge computer opponents with different strengths and playing styles using either a physical board or the on-screen board. • Online Chess Support Use a compatible physical board with supported online chess platforms for a more natural playing experience. • Automatic Game Recording Create and save complete PGN records, including moves, players, results, and time information. • Local Stockfish Analysis Review games with on-device Stockfish analysis to explore evaluations, recommended moves, and critical mistakes. • Maia and Personalized Practice Train against human-like chess engines designed to provide realistic play across different skill levels. • Game Review Reports Generate easy-to-understand reports that highlight strong moves, mistakes, turning points, and opportunities to improve. • Puzzles and Tactical Training Improve calculation, pattern recognition, and practical decision-making with chess puzzles and focused exercises. • Board Editor and Position Recognition Create custom positions manually or use supported image-recognition features to extract a chess position from a photo. • Voice Moves In supported game modes, speak origin and destination squares to enter moves hands-free. • Chess Clock and Over-the-Board Play Record face-to-face games and manage player time with compatible Chessnut devices. • Game Library and Sharing Browse saved games, filter records by source, refresh game data, and share games or review results. • Multiple Languages Choose from a range of interface and content languages. From your first move to detailed post-game review, Chessnut Next combines smart-board connectivity, game recording, engine analysis, and training tools in one app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Chessnut Next at every 3 weeks against Tactrix's every 2 months. Tactrix's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tactrix ships an update every 2 months, Chessnut Next every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tactrix | Chessnut Next |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (12 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 12 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 338 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dennis Westermann | Xenx Technology Limited |
In-app purchases
Tactrix
No in-app purchases
Chessnut Next
No in-app purchases





