Comparison

Chess Studio vs OpenFile Chess

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

Head to head
About

Chess Studio

Read chess books and instantly play through moves on screen. This app allows you to interact with chess e-books, automatically scrolling text and displaying positions on a board. Navigate variations, search content, and customize your reading experience.

Highlights
  • Play over moves on screen
  • Automatic text scrolling
  • Tap moves to display position
  • Navigate complex variations
  • Searchable content
  • Choice of layout options
Features
Read full description

Ever wanted to read your favourite chess books and be able to instantly play over the moves on screen? The revolutionary new Chess Studio, from renowned chess publishers Gambit, enables you to do that, and more. After downloading the free app, purchase your choice of classic chess e-books from the Gambit library and begin. • text laid out in usual clear Gambit style • play over moves and variations on screen • accompanying text scrolls automatically • tap any chess move and the position appears on the board • easily navigate through complex variations • search function for words, phrases, player names • move swiftly between games and chapters • choice of layout options - including flip board • free sample text available to try out the app Chess Studio represents an enjoyable and portable new way of reading chess books, designed by chess players for chess players. Overseeing every aspect of the app design was Grandmaster John Nunn, one of the best-respected figures in the chess world and three-times World Chess Solving Champion.

About

OpenFile Chess

This app combines a chess puzzle trainer with an interactive e-reader for classic chess books. It features spaced repetition for puzzle training, thematic decks, and engine analysis. Users can also read and step through classic chess books with move-by-move annotations.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition puzzle trainer
  • Themed puzzle decks
  • Interactive chess book reader
  • Stockfish 17 analysis
  • Move-by-move annotations
  • Explore alternate lines
Features
Read full description

OpenFile Chess is a puzzle trainer and interactive chess reader in one app. Train with thousands of puzzles powered by spaced repetition. Your rating adapts as you improve, and puzzles are organized by theme — forks, pins, mates, endgames, and more. Explore alternate lines freely, or turn on Stockfish 17 for instant analysis. Read Chess Fundamentals by José Raúl Capablanca — one of the greatest chess books ever written. Step through every example move by move with full annotations. FEATURES • Puzzle trainer with spaced repetition and ELO tracking • Dozens of themed decks: tactics, mates, endgames, phases • Explore mode to try alternate lines on any puzzle • Stockfish 17 engine analysis on any position • Full text of Chess Fundamentals (1921) • 71 interactive games with move-by-move annotations • Flip board, night mode, and board color themes

Screenshots

Chess Studio4 screens
OpenFile Chess2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: OpenFile Chess at 100% against Chess Studio's 60%. Chess Studio's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, 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 Studio sells 23 one-off in-app purchases and OpenFile Chess sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Studio ships an update every 2 months, OpenFile Chess every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Chess Studio versus OpenFile Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess StudioOpenFile Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGambit PublicationsHriday Bhambhvani

Customer experience

Chess Studio

Written reviews30 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative33.3%

OpenFile Chess

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

23 purchases

Chess Studio

One-time23
  • Gambit Free SamplesFree
  • How to Beat Your Dad at Chess$9.99
  • Win with the Stonewall Dutch$9.99
Show 20 more
  • 50 Essential Chess Lessons$10.99
  • Idiot-Proof Chess Repertoire$10.99
  • Win with the London System$11.99
  • Learn Chess Tactics$11.99
  • Understanding the Chess Openings$11.99
  • A Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for White$11.99
  • Understanding Chess Endgames$13.99
  • Understanding Chess Middlegames$13.99
  • Understanding Chess Move by Move$13.99
  • Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy$13.99
  • Mastering the Chess Openings Volume 1$13.99
  • Mastering the Chess Openings Volume 2$13.99
  • A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White$14.99
  • John Nunn's Chess Course$14.99
  • Fundamental Chess Openings$14.99
  • Fundamental Chess Endings$14.99
  • How to Play Chess Endgames$14.99
  • Nunn's Chess Endings Volume 1$14.99
  • Nunn's Chess Endings Volume 2$14.99
  • Mammoth Book of Greatest Games$14.99
2 purchases

OpenFile Chess

One-time2
  • 30-Day Rental$3.99
  • Lifetime Access$9.99

Questions

Is Chess Studio free?
Chess Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenFile Chess free?
OpenFile Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chess Studio or OpenFile Chess have ads?
Neither Chess Studio nor OpenFile Chess shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Studio or OpenFile Chess?
Chess Studio ships an update every 2 months, and OpenFile Chess every 5 weeks. Most recently, Chess Studio was updated on October 13, 2026 and OpenFile Chess on September 24, 2026.

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