Comparison

Backgammon Tutor vs Chessanova

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

Head to head
About

Backgammon Tutor

This app serves as a comprehensive tutor for learning and playing backgammon. It offers various game modes, including against AI or other players, with features like progressive undo, move suggestions, and detailed statistics. Customize your experience with extensive settings and enjoy enhanced graphics on multiple devices.

Highlights
  • AI Tutor for learning
  • Play against computer or players
  • Progressive undo and move suggestions
  • Game Center achievements and leaderboards
  • Local network and pass-the-device modes
  • Detailed statistics tracking
  • Customizable settings
Features
Read full description

* MOST User Friendly BACKGAMMON App * - Tutor for Computer games, helps you learn how to play. - Invite players or play with random opponents. - Rematch option at the end of a match. - Game Center achievements and leader boards. Highlights include: - Look for Game Center auto-match opponents while playing a local game - Option to switch board home position and swap color. - Text chat feature for all network games (Game Center, Local Network). Can be turned OFF. - Play a Local Network game (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), against the computer, or a pass-the-device game. - Skill rating, won games, won match points and experience scores for completed Game Center matches. - Progressive undo, replay last move, PIP values, doubling cube, human powered random rolls. - Checkers are easy to select and move, with variable animation speed. - Optionally show all possible moves for any piece, or use "one-tap" moves. - Play 1, 3, 5 or unlimited-point matches. - Resignation with 1, 2, 3 and unlimited times multiplier. - Universal App: enhanced graphics for iPad and retina displays. - Neural Network based advanced computer algorithm. - Extensive settings screen allows users to customize their experience (see screen shots). - Multiple dice rolling algorithms. - Statistics screen: tracks games won, matches points won, as well as dice roll statistics. - If the losing player disconnects from the game the winning player gets awarded the win. - 60-second time limit per move for Game Center Auto-Match games.

About

Chessanova

Experience a minimalist, 2D chess game designed for face-to-face play. Enjoy intuitive controls, symmetrical pieces, and unrestricted moves for a pure, distraction-free chess experience. Discover hidden variants that alter gameplay and board configurations.

Highlights
  • Minimalist 2D chessboard
  • Symmetrical piece design
  • Intuitive multi-touch controls
  • Unrestricted moves and unlimited undo/redo
  • Hidden move-based game variants
  • No bots, settings, or in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Chessanova! This app offers a minimalist, 2D chessboard made for a face-to-face gameplay between two players. It is designed to create an intuitive chess experience that feels like a true game with pieces, free from the distractions of settings, buttons, or typical app controls. Key Features: - Symmetrical Piece Design: The chess pieces are designed with point symmetry, making them identical from both players' perspectives. No need to rotate pieces or adjust viewing angles – focus purely on the game without distractions. - Intuitive Multi-Touch Control: Move pieces naturally across the board with simple touch gestures. You can drag and drop or tap-select and place pieces precisely where you want. This freedom allows players to replicate a true over-the-board chess experience. - Unrestricted Moves: Unlike typical digital chess games, this app doesn’t restrict moves to legal ones. You can experiment freely – throw pieces off the board, try out unique starting positions, or quickly set up positions to explain tactics to your opponent. With a double-tap, you have unlimited undo and redo at your fingertips (redo by holding an additional finger on the display). - Hidden Move-Based Variants: Chessanova introduces a unique twist to classic chess, allowing you to alter the game through hidden moves. Adjust the board size or add extra pieces seamlessly—no menus or buttons needed. Simply place specific pieces in distinct ways to unlock modifications that bring fresh challenges and force even experienced players to rethink their strategies. Add a whole new layer of variety with one of the following moves: White Pawn to White Rook: Doubles the rooks and expands the board by two columns White Pawn to White Knight: Doubles the knights and expands the board by two columns White Pawn to White Bishop: Doubles the bishops and expands the board by two columns White Rook to White Rook: Removes all rooks and reduces the board by two rows and two columns White Knight to White Knight: Removes all knights and reduces the board by two rows and two columns White Bishop to White Bishop: Removes all bishops and reduces the board by two rows and two columns White Pawn to White Queen: Randomly changes the color scheme King to King: Resets the game A Pure Chess Experience: No bots, settings, in-app purchases, or unnecessary sounds. Just you, your opponent, and the chessboard. Discover a fresh approach to chess with endless possibilities. Enjoy playing together!

Screenshots

Backgammon Tutor4 screens
Chessanova4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chessanova at 100% against Backgammon Tutor's 27%. Chessanova also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Backgammon Tutor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Chessanova asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Backgammon Tutor versus Chessanova: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon TutorChessanova
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (314 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews27.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings314 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB48 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperQuatrian Inc.Jonas Fehrenberg

Customer experience

Backgammon Tutor

All ratings307 ratings
Positive84.0%
Neutral5.9%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive27.0%
Neutral16.2%
Negative56.8%

Chessanova

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Backgammon Tutor

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App crashes and restarts
  • Computer rolls too many doubles
  • Computer rolls specific numbers to win
  • Computer cheats
  • Dice rolls are not random
Show 7 more
  • Game is rigged
  • Computer always wins initial roll
  • Computer gets doubles more often
  • Computer rolls 6 more frequently
  • Skill ratings not kept
  • Does not work on older phones
  • Not compatible with older iOS versions

Requested features

7 requests
  • Increase customization options
  • More step-by-step instructions
  • Auto-roll option
  • Auto-select knocked out piece
  • Option to re-roll dice
Show 2 more
  • Recognize when game has limited moves and notify player with auto-complete option
  • Market better to increase online players

Chessanova

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Backgammon Tutor

Subscriptions1
  • No Ads Subscription$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • No Ads$4.99
None

Chessanova

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backgammon Tutor free?
Backgammon Tutor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chessanova free?
Chessanova is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Backgammon Tutor or Chessanova have ads?
Backgammon Tutor shows ads; Chessanova does not.

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