Best How To Play Chess Apps & Games

213+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
19 free apps & games
Updated May 2026

Every iPhone needs a few good how to play chess apps. We benchmark 213+ of them on App Store rating, freshness, and pricing, then surface the standouts so you don't have to scroll the App Store yourself.

Top Picks for How To Play Chess

Chess - Play & Learn Online#1

Chess - Play & Learn Online by Chess.com, LLC

Board game and Puzzle learning
Editor's Choice
🎮 Games
4.8😊(759K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#4in Games
Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 1
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Chess - Play & Learn Online screenshot 6

Play a strategic board game against friends or AI opponents, test your skills, and improve your game with each match. Enjoy multiple game modes and challenges to sharpen your tactics and become a better player. Ready to outwit your opponents? Start playing now!

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
Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf#2

Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf by Chess.com, LLC

Beginner friendly coaching
Strong Contender
🎮 Games
4.8😊(25K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
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Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf screenshot 6

"Learn chess with Dr. Wolf, your personalized chess coach offering over 50 lessons, mistake correction, diverse coaching personalities, and adaptive difficulty levels. Experience audible coaching in multiple languages for an enhanced learning experience. Try Dr. Wolf's coaching for free for 3 games, then subscribe for continued personalized teaching and unlimited access to lessons and hints."

What We Love

  • 👍 Well-thought-out app
  • 🚀 Great teaching tool
  • 🤖 Friendly and encouraging AI coach
  • 💡 Unique interface and gameplay

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Incorrect move suggestions
  • 🤔 Lack of explanations for best moves
  • 💰 Subscription-based model
Chess - Learn Chess#3

Chess - Learn Chess by Tom Kerrigan

Learn to play in minutes!
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.7(194 ratings)
Free
Chess - Learn Chess screenshot 1
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Learn Chess is a comprehensive e-book designed to teach chess rules, strategies, and terminology through interactive diagrams. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your game, this app is for you!

More How To Play Chess apps to explore

4
Chess for Kids: Learn to Play
Chess for Kids: Learn to Play
Chess for Kids: Learn to Play
Fun educational board game
Free

Play an interactive mobile chess game designed to teach children how to play chess in a fun and engaging way. Learn the rules, strategy, and tactics of chess through colorful visuals and interactive challenges! Master the game and have fun along the way!

🎮 Games
(17K)
5
Chess without ads
Chess without ads
Chess without ads
Learn, play, improve!
Free

Learn and play chess like a master without ads or distractions. Improve effortlessly, receive coaching, and play at your own pace with various levels of difficulty. Start your chess journey now!

🎮 Games
(38K)
6
Duolingo: Language Lessons
Duolingo: Language Lessons
Duolingo: Language Lessons
Learn Spanish, Math & more
Free

Learn languages, math, and music with this top education app, offering bite-sized lessons for 40 languages. Join millions of learners worldwide to improve your skills in a fun and effective way. Get started now and explore a world of knowledge!

📚 Education
(5.2M)
7
Chessable: Study Chess Smarter
Chessable: Study Chess Smarter
Chessable: Study Chess Smarter
Openings, Tactics & Endgames!
Free

Learn chess online with a science-backed approach using an app that offers hundreds of free courses taught by top players and coaches. Master chess strategies with spaced repetition, offline training, customizable settings, and access to exclusive content through Chessable PRO. Improve your game on-the-go and make your learning stick! Check it out at chessable.com.

📚 Education
(5.7K)
8
Chess King - Learn to Play
Chess King - Learn to Play
Chess King - Learn to Play
Chess: Beginner to Master
Free

Learn chess from beginner to master level with Chess King! Access 100 courses covering tactics, strategy, and puzzles. Sharpen your skills with hints, refutations, and interactive lessons. Play online, offline, and improve with your personal chess trainer. Start your chess journey today!

🎮 Games
(2.4K)
9
Chess Tactics and Lessons
Chess Tactics and Lessons
Chess Tactics and Lessons
Learn Strategy and Openings
Free

Learn chess strategy, tactics, and openings with a dynamic app that adjusts to your skill level. Play tactics for free, access in-depth lessons and famous game positions, create and share your own challenges, and engage with a community of players. Join now to improve your game every day!

🎮 Games
(4.8K)
10
Chess
Chess
Chess
Play Chess and Solve Puzzles
Free

Play chess and solve puzzles with this application, offering a challenging and engaging experience for players of all levels. Test your skills and strategize to outwit your opponents in this timeless game of intellect. Start playing and sharpen your mind today!

🎮 Games
(36K)
11
Chess - Offline Board Game
Chess - Offline Board Game
Chess - Offline Board Game
The ultimate Chess board game
Free

Play Chess Club now for free! Challenge yourself with 8 levels of difficulty, learn with hints, track your stats, and enjoy playing with 2D or 3D pieces. Install the best Chess app in the store!

🎮 Games
(56K)
12
Magnus Trainer - Train Chess
Magnus Trainer - Train Chess
Magnus Trainer - Train Chess
Learn from the World Champion
Free

Learn and train chess with engaging games and interactive lessons designed by Magnus Carlsen, the World Chess Champion. With 250 unique lessons for all skill levels, bite-sized games, and exclusive benefits for members, Magnus Trainer is the ultimate chess training app for beginners and advanced players alike. Take your chess skills to the next level today!

🎮 Games
(12K)
13
Kahoot! Learn Chess: DragonBox
Kahoot! Learn Chess: DragonBox
Kahoot! Learn Chess: DragonBox
Learn the basics of chess
Free

Learn chess basics through an interactive game with Kahoot! Learn Chess: DragonBox. Join grandmaster Max on an adventure to solve puzzles, beat bosses, and master chess strategies. Get started with a 7-day free trial and embark on your journey to become a chess grandmaster!

📚 Education
(1.3K)
14
Chess ⁺
Chess ⁺
Chess ⁺
Play,Learn,Puzzles,Friends
Free

Play, learn, and solve puzzles with an advanced chess training app designed to enhance skills, strategies, and tactics for players of all levels. Perfect for both amateurs and professionals, this app offers dynamically adjusted tasks to match individual skill levels and performance. Start your chess journey today!

🎮 Games
(2.7K)
15
Chess Royale
Chess Royale
Chess Royale
Play with Friends, Learn & Win
Free

Play Chess Royale to challenge your friends to exciting matches and improve your chess skills. Join now to experience competitive gameplay and interactive learning!

🎮 Games
(19K)
16
Real Chess 3D
Real Chess 3D
Real Chess 3D
Ultimate 3D Chess Game
Free

Experience the best 3D Chess game on mobile with immersive graphics, various gameplay options, and customizable features. Challenge friends or AI, learn chess moves, and enjoy a realistic gaming experience. Download now for free and sharpen your chess skills! #PlayChess #ChessGame

🎮 Games
(148K)
17
Chess - Learn, Play & Trainer
Chess - Learn, Play & Trainer
Chess - Learn, Play & Trainer
100 Levels, Puzzles, 2-Player
Free

Learn and play chess with our interactive application that offers tutorials for beginners and challenging games for advanced players. Enhance your skills, strategy, and enjoy the timeless game of chess today.

🎮 Games
(1.5K)
18
SocialChess • Online Chess
SocialChess • Online Chess
SocialChess • Online Chess
Play Friends, Learn, No Ads!
Free

Play chess against friends or random opponents online with this ad-free application. Enjoy fast games or multiple correspondence games at your own pace, and track your statistics like ELO rating and wins. Join now to experience the best way to play and learn chess!

🎮 Games
(7K)
19
Chess Tiger Pro
Chess Tiger Pro
Chess Tiger Pro
Learn, play, improve!
$14.99
$17.99 | 17% OFF

"Master chess with ease and precision using our ad-free app. Whether you're a beginner or expert, improve your game with top-notch coaching, game analysis, and a powerful chess engine. Join now and unleash your inner chess champion!"

🎮 Games
(23K)
20
Chess Time Live - Play Online
Chess Time Live - Play Online
Chess Time Live - Play Online
Mulitplayer Chess Games
Free

Play online multiplayer chess with friends and people worldwide. Enjoy instant games, play different variants like Chess960, track your progress with rating graphs, chat with opponents, and improve your skills by reviewing games daily. Join now for an enhanced experience with Premium Membership!

🎮 Games
(2K)

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