Comparison

Beyond Chess D20 vs Chessnut Next

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

Head to head
About

Beyond Chess D20

Features
Read full description

Beyond Chess is a strategy game that takes the core of chess and adds one missing ingredient: uncertainty. Choose how you want to play: CLASSIC MODE Pure chess. Deterministic captures. No randomness. STATISTICAL MODE Captures are resolved by probability. Each piece has a fixed chance to capture other pieces, sometimes you win, sometimes you bounce back. No victory is guaranteed. RPG DICE MODE (D20) Every capture attempt rolls a d20: • 1: Critical fail — your piece self-destructs • 2–5: Capture fails — your piece stays in its original square • 6–19: Normal capture • 20: Wololo conversion — the target piece turns to your color while your piece stays in place ONLINE PvP Play online matches in public or private rooms, choose a nickname and jump in. (Online play requires an internet connection.) If you enjoy chess, tabletop RNG, and tactical risk management, Beyond Chess is built for you.

About

Chessnut Next

Enhance your chess experience by connecting a smart board to digitally record, analyze, and practice your games. Play against AI, review your moves with detailed reports, and train your skills with puzzles and human-like engines.

Highlights
  • Smart board connection
  • Play against chess engines
  • Online chess support
  • Automatic game recording
  • Local Stockfish analysis
  • Tactical training
  • Game review reports
Features
Read full description

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

Beyond Chess D204 screens
Chessnut Next4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chessnut Next at Free against Beyond Chess D20's $9.99. Beyond Chess D20's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.6). On update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Chessnut Next is free to download; Beyond Chess D20 costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Beyond Chess D20 ships an update monthly, Chessnut Next every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Beyond Chess D20 versus Chessnut Next: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeyond Chess D20Chessnut Next
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (31 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—31 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size187 MB369 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOMER GULERYUZXenx Technology Limited

In-app purchases

None

Beyond Chess D20

No in-app purchases

None

Chessnut Next

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Beyond Chess D20 free?
Beyond Chess D20 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chessnut Next free?
Chessnut Next is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Beyond Chess D20 or Chessnut Next have ads?
Neither Beyond Chess D20 nor Chessnut Next shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Beyond Chess D20 or Chessnut Next?
Beyond Chess D20 ships an update monthly, and Chessnut Next every 3 weeks. Most recently, Beyond Chess D20 was updated on November 5, 2026 and Chessnut Next on November 5, 2026.

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