With an average user rating of 4.7★, the chess variant category is one of the App Store's strongest. Browse all 233+ apps and games we track, sorted so the most loved ones surface first.
Compare top Chess Variant Apps & Games (June 2026)
Explore diverse chess variants and abstract board games from around the world. Create and share your own unique game rules, or challenge others online. Learn new strategies with guided levels and AI opponents.
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
Room to Improve
🐛 Frequent connection issues and game freezes
⏱️ Unreliable and inconsistent game timers
🔒 Lack of transparency around anti-cheating measures
What are the best chess variant apps & games for iPhone?
Chess Remix: Chess Variants tops our chess variant apps & games ranking as of June 2026, with a 4.4-star average from 109 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Are there free chess variant apps & games for iPhone?
Yes — 17 of the top chess variant apps & games we rank are free to download, including Chess Remix: Chess Variants and Chess Mega Bundle.
Does Chess Remix: Chess Variants have ads or in-app purchases?
Chess Remix: Chess Variants shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of June 2026.
How many chess variant apps & games are on the App Store?
We track 233+ chess variant apps & games on the iOS App Store as of June 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
What is Chess Remix?
Chess Remix is an app that offers a wide variety of chess variants from around the world, including Shogi, Xiangqi, and Janggi, as well as historical chess forms. It also allows users to create and share their own custom board game rules, and includes other abstract games like Checkers and Tic-Tac-Toe.
What are the key features of Chess Remix?
Key features include competitive online play, the ability to create and customize your own board games with limitless possibilities, guided levels to help you master different pieces and rules, playing against AI opponents, and sharing your creations with the community.