Best Chess Apps & Games

249+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

3.9 avg rating
19 free apps & games
Updated October 2026

The best chess apps and games on iPhone average 3.9★ across 249+ titles — we've ranked them by what real users actually keep on their phones. Updated October 2026.

Compare top Chess Apps & Games (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Chess.com - Play and LearnChess.com - Play and LearnFree4.8★ (864K)YesYesNov 2026
2ChessChessFree4.7★ (39K)NoYesNov 2026
3LichessLichessFree4.1★ (785)NoNoOct 2026
4Chess without adsChess without adsFree4.7★ (39K)NoYesNov 2026
5Chess ∙Chess ∙Free4.5★ (207K)YesNoNov 2026
6Real Chess 3DReal Chess 3DFree4.7★ (162K)YesYesNov 2026
7Chess Clash: Online & OfflineChess Clash: Online & OfflineFree4.7★ (3.2K)YesYesOct 2026
8Chess – Online Board GameChess – Online Board GameFree—YesNoSep 2026

Top Picks for Chess

Chess.com - Play and Learn#1

Chess.com - Play and Learn by Chess.com

Online Lessons and Puzzles
Editor's Choice
🎮 Games
4.8😊(864K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#1in Games
Chess.com - Play and Learn screenshot 1
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Engage in online and offline chess matches with millions of players worldwide. Improve your skills through interactive lessons, over 500,000 puzzles, and powerful AI opponents. Compete in tournaments and explore various chess variants.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Excellent app for learning and improving chess skills
  • 🎓 Comprehensive lessons, puzzles, and analysis tools
  • 🌍 Large player base for quick matchmaking
  • 📊 Detailed game statistics and progress tracking
  • 💻 Seamless integration between mobile app and website

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connection issues and game freezes
  • ⏱️ Unreliable and inconsistent game timers
  • 🔒 Lack of transparency around anti-cheating measures
  • 💰 Aggressive paywall for advanced features
  • 🤖 Subpar AI opponents with questionable move choices
Chess#2

Chess by Vintolo Ltd

Play Chess and Solve Puzzles
Strong Contender
🎮 Games
4.7😊(39K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
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Chess screenshot 5

Engage in the classic game of chess with customizable graphics and multiple difficulty levels. Play against AI or a friend, with features like move undo, hints, and time controls. Enjoy a rich chess experience with detailed game history and board customization.

What We Love

  • 👍 Great for beginners
  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 💡 Helpful puzzles and hints
  • 🎨 Customizable chess sets
  • 🎮 Fun and challenging

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Glitchy pawn movement
  • 🤖 AI too easy even on hard mode
  • ⏱️ Stalemate issues
  • 💰 Paid hints for puzzles
  • 🔁 Repetitive AI moves
Lichess#3

Lichess by LICHESS.ORG

Online chess game
Worth Considering
🎮 Games
4.1😊(785 ratings)
Free
#44in Games
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Play chess online with millions of users, participate in tournaments, solve puzzles, and analyze games. This free and open-source application offers a comprehensive chess experience for players of all levels, with features for learning and casual play.

What We Love

  • 👍 Great interface
  • 🚀 Smooth performance
  • 💡 Useful resources for learning and analysis

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional UI issues
  • 💡 Room for more customization options

More Chess apps to explore

FAQ about Chess

What are the best chess apps & games for iPhone?
Chess.com - Play and Learn tops our chess apps & games ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.8-star average from 864K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 19 of the top chess apps & games we rank are free to download, including Chess.com - Play and Learn and Chess.
Chess.com - Play and Learn shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 249+ chess apps & games on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.

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