Want to learn chess but don't want to spend hours poring over books? No problem! There are tons of amazing chess apps out there that can teach you the game, from the basics to advanced strategies. Whether you're a complete beginner or want to sharpen your skills, these apps will help you level up your game.
We've rounded up the 9 best chess apps for both Android and iPhone. Our top three picks are Chess, Chess Royale, and lichess • Free Online Chess. These apps all offer a variety of features, including interactive tutorials, puzzles, and online play. So grab your phone, download one of these apps, and start learning how to play like a chess master!
| App | Logo | Available On | Reviews | Downloads | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chess |  | Android, iOS | 4.8/5 | 85M+ | Unlimited 3D chess games, 350,000+ tactics puzzles |
| 2. Chess Royale |  | Android, iOS | 4.5/5 | 18M+ | Play with friends, Train with puzzles, Analyze your games |
| 3. lichess • Free Online Chess |  | Android, iOS | 4.1/5 | 14M+ | Unlimited opening explorer, Server computer analysis |
| 4. Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 8M+ | Personalized coaching, Interactive guidance, Step-by-step lessons |
| 5. Chess for Kids |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 2M+ | Beginner-friendly, Free chess games, AD-FREE and SAFE |
| 6. Chessable |  | Android, iOS | 4.9/5 | 502K+ | Courses from top players, Spaced repetition learning |
| 7. Chess for Kids |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 302K+ | Educational and fun, Unique fantasy world, Grandmaster-created puzzles |
1. Chess
Learn with interactive lessons, Practice with tactics puzzles
Cost:
Free (Free), Chess.com Diamond ($14.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 85 million |
| Features | The app offers various features to learn chess such as lessons, puzzles, analysis, and playing against a computer opponent with different difficulty levels. |
| Who It’s For | This app is for anyone who wants to learn chess, from beginners to experienced players. |
- Tags:
- Unlimited 3D chess
- 350,000+ tactics puzzles
- 10 million+ daily games
"Chess" is a fantastic app for learning chess, offering a comprehensive experience for players of all levels. This app has everything you need to improve your game, from engaging puzzles and video lessons to customizable boards and a wide variety of opponents, including both human players and challenging AI bots. With its well-designed interface, you can track your progress across different time controls and even find a perfect match based on your playing style. Whether you're a seasoned chess aficionado or a curious beginner, "Chess" provides an immersive and enjoyable learning environment, making it a top choice for those looking to delve into the world of chess.
Pros & Cons
- Great app to learn chess
- Offers training aids and videos
- Customizable board, pieces, and background
- Play against bots or real players
- Difficult to navigate lessons
- No confirmation/cancel for puzzle moves
- Can't screenshot during a game
Why we chose it?
Hey chess enthusiasts! Chess.com is a fantastic app for learning chess on your phone. It has everything you need to get better, from tons of puzzles and lessons to real-time games against players of all levels. And with its sleek interface and tons of features, you'll be having a blast while you learn.
✨ Read more: app for beginner chess
2. Chess Royale
AI opponents for practice, Tutorials for beginners, Post-game analysis tools
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 18 Million Downloads |
| Features | Learn the basics with tutorials, sharpen your skills with puzzles and post-game analysis, and battle against AI or online opponents. |
| Who It’s For | Chess Royale is the perfect app to learn chess, whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned player looking to improve. |
- Tags:
- AI opponent
- Online multiplayer
- Tutorials and puzzles
Chess Royale is a fantastic app for anyone looking to learn and improve their chess skills, regardless of their experience level. It offers a comprehensive learning experience, from basic lessons to tactical exercises, and even includes customizable boards, avatars, and emojis to add a touch of personality to your games. While some users have noted a few minor drawbacks, such as the frequency of ads and occasional glitches, the app's overall stability and engaging gameplay make it a worthwhile option for aspiring chess players.
Pros & Cons
- Great app to learn chess
- Teaches lessons from basics
- Offers board customization options
- Has enjoyable puzzles and tutorials
- Frequent ads and reward boosts
- High battery consumption
- Limited timer choices and slow operation
Why we chose it?
Chess Royale is a fantastic app for learning chess because it offers a well-rounded experience that goes beyond just playing. It has engaging tutorials, challenging puzzles, and a post-game analysis feature that helps you understand your mistakes and improve your game. The app's clean design and user-friendly interface make it easy to navigate and enjoy, even for beginners. Plus, with the option to play against AI or real players, Chess Royale provides endless opportunities to practice and test your skills.
3. lichess • Free Online Chess
Puzzle challenges for skill growth, Analysis tools for move review
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 14 million downloads |
| Features | This open-source app offers a variety of modes, including puzzles, analysis, tournaments, and even offline play, making it a comprehensive platform for learning and playing chess. |
| Who It’s For | Perfect for beginners, intermediate players, and experienced chess enthusiasts, the app provides a fun and engaging way to learn, improve, and play chess. |
- Tags:
- Free and Open Source
- Unlimited opening explorer
- Endgame tablebase explorer
Lichess • Free Online Chess is a fantastic mobile app for learning chess, boasting an impressive array of features like different game modes, puzzles, and a ranking system to track your progress. While some users have experienced glitches with piece movement, the app's overall quality is undeniable, especially for those who enjoy the challenge of playing against stronger opponents. With offline play and a robust collection of chess variants, lichess provides a rich and engaging learning experience, making it a standout choice among free chess apps.
Pros & Cons
- Different modes for learning
- Keeps track of player ranking
- Offers puzzles and offline games
- Best free chess app available
- No penalty for leaving games
- Difficult to move pieces on Pixel 3A
- Opponent's moves may not register
Why we chose it?
lichess is a fantastic choice for learning chess! It's packed with features like puzzles for practice, analysis tools to improve your understanding, and tons of games to play against real opponents. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned player, lichess offers a great way to hone your skills and have fun learning. Plus, it's completely free!
4. Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf
Personalized coaching and insights, Interactive lessons and guidance
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 7.7 million downloads |
| Features | Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf is a comprehensive chess app that includes over 50 lessons, personalized coaching with Dr. Wolf, interactive chess board, and insightful explanations of strategic concepts. |
| Who It’s For | Beginner chess players, Intermediate chess players, Anyone interested in learning chess |
- Tags:
- Personalized coaching
- Interactive Guidance
- Tailored Learning
Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf is a mobile app designed to teach you the fundamentals of chess. This app features a unique approach with Dr. Wolf, a virtual coach who guides you through the game with step-by-step instructions and insightful commentary. While the app excels at teaching the basics, more experienced players might find the AI opponents a bit inconsistent and the reliance on clicking "Next" after each move a bit tedious. Nonetheless, the app offers a fun and engaging way to learn the game, making it a solid choice for beginners, even though some content is locked behind a paywall.
Why we chose it?
I'm Dr. Wolf, your personal chess coach in this app! I've poured my heart into making learning chess fun and engaging. You'll not only learn the rules and strategies but also get personalized coaching as I play alongside you, explaining each move and pointing out your mistakes. My lessons are tailored to your level, so you'll always feel challenged but never overwhelmed.
5. Chess for Kids
Learn chess from tutorials, Play against friends online, Challenge computer opponents
Cost:
Free (Free), ChessKid Gold ($14.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 1.7 million downloads |
| Features | The Chess for Kids app offers engaging chess lessons, fun game modes, and multiplayer options to help children learn the game and improve their skills. |
| Who It’s For | This app is ideal for kids who want to learn how to play chess, but it's also a great tool for parents and teachers looking for a fun and educational way to introduce the game. |
- Tags:
- Beginner-friendly
- Free chess games
- Play with friends
"Chess for Kids" is a popular app designed to teach children the basics and strategies of chess. While the game play itself is enjoyable and engaging, with difficulty levels that adapt to the player's skill, users have raised concerns about the app's stability and its reliance on a subscription model. Issues like frequent crashes, non-functional lesson videos, and login problems have been reported, leading some parents to question the app's commitment to providing a seamless learning experience. The subscription fee, which many find excessive, further adds to these frustrations. Despite these drawbacks, "Chess for Kids" remains a popular choice for introducing children to the world of chess, with many praising its ability to make the game fun and accessible.
Pros & Cons
- Great app to learn chess
- Fun and engaging for kids
- Adaptive difficulty for learning
- Teaches good chess moves
- Subscription required for most
- Technical glitches and bugs
- Overpriced compared to features
Why we chose it?
Chess for Kids is a fantastic choice for kids just starting out because it's super fun and engaging! We've got tons of interactive lessons and games, so learning chess feels like a real adventure. Plus, it's completely safe and ad-free, making it a worry-free experience for parents. Whether your child is just learning the basics or ready for a real challenge, Chess for Kids has something for everyone!
6. Chessable
Spaced repetition learning, Courses from top players, Hundreds of free courses
Cost:
Free (Free), Chessable Premium ($14.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over half a million downloads |
| Features | Chessable offers interactive courses, spaced repetition learning, customizable settings, and a social learning environment with a community forum. |
| Who It’s For | Chessable is an app to learn chess designed for beginners and experienced players alike. |
- Tags:
- World-class instructors
- Spaced repetition learning
- Hundreds of free courses
Chessable is a fantastic app for learning chess, boasting a vast library of courses from renowned players like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. However, despite its excellent content, the app falls short in some key areas. Users have noted several shortcomings, including a lack of offline mode, sluggish UI, and occasional connectivity issues that can disrupt the learning process. While the app’s content is undeniably valuable, these issues hinder the overall experience and make it less than ideal for learning on the go, particularly when facing intermittent connectivity.
Pros & Cons
- Great learning tool
- Reasonably imitates website
- Good content available
- Variety of courses offered
- No offline mode
- Intermittent connectivity issues
- UI latency and sluggishness
- Missing features from website
- Subscription issues and bugs
Why we chose it?
Chessable is a game-changer for chess learners! It's packed with high-quality courses from grandmasters and top coaches, so you learn from the best. The spaced repetition system really helps you remember what you learn, and with tons of free courses, you can find the perfect fit for your level and interests.
7. Chess for Kids
Fun, interactive, educational puzzles, Unique journey with fantasy themes
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 300,000 downloads |
| Features | The app offers a fun and engaging way for kids to learn the rules, tactics, and strategies of chess through interactive puzzles and a unique fantasy world. |
| Who It’s For | Kids who want to learn how to play chess. |
- Tags:
- Educational and interactive
- Fun and engaging gameplay
- Unique fantasy world with 3 themes
Chess for Kids is an engaging app to learn chess, designed with a fantasy world and unique characters to keep children motivated. The app offers a collection of puzzles created by Grandmaster Boris Alterman, progressively introducing chess concepts through a playful, story-driven approach. While some users might find the large number of puzzles repetitive, others appreciate the repetition for reinforcing concepts and ensuring understanding. However, a subscription model for accessing the full content has been met with criticism, with some users suggesting a one-time purchase would be a more preferable approach.
Pros & Cons
- Great app to learn chess
- Nice collection of puzzles
- Visual design appeals to kids
- Exercises build up gradually
- Lack of verbal explanation
- Too many puzzles, repetition
- Subscription model is greedy
Why we chose it?
Chess for Kids is a fantastic choice for anyone wanting to learn chess on their phone. It's designed specifically for kids, making learning fun and engaging with its colorful characters and fantasy world. You'll learn the basics of chess, tactics, and strategies through a series of puzzles and adventures, all created by a Grandmaster! This app is a safe and fun way to learn the game, and I can't recommend it enough!
8. Play Magnus
Learn from Magnus Carlsen, Interactive lessons and puzzles, Play against Magnus at various ages
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 147,000 downloads |
| Features | Play Magnus is an app that combines interactive lessons, puzzles, mini-games, and online chess play, with coaching from Magnus Carlsen. |
| Who It’s For | Chess enthusiasts of all levels looking for a fun and engaging way to learn chess from the best. |
- Tags:
- Interactive lessons
- Guidance from Magnus Carlsen
- Fun puzzles and mini-games
"Play Magnus" is a captivating app to learn chess that offers a unique and engaging learning experience. While the app boasts a wealth of high-quality content, including interactive lessons and practice exercises, some users have expressed frustration with limited free access and recurring bugs. The app's subscription model, requiring a monthly fee for full access, has also been a point of contention, particularly for those seeking to learn chess in-depth over extended periods. Nonetheless, many have praised the app's well-structured lessons, engaging writing style, and the feeling of progression it fosters. With a few tweaks and improvements, "Play Magnus" has the potential to become a truly exceptional app to learn chess.
Pros & Cons
- Engaging instructional content
- Useful and beneficial practice
- Categorization options for improvement
- Gratuitous, ad-free experience
- Riddle with bugs and stability issues
- Live opponents often use engines
- Limited access without monthly subscription
Why we chose it?
I'm a huge fan of Play Magnus! It's a fantastic app to learn chess because it offers interactive lessons from the world champion himself, Magnus Carlsen, which makes the learning process engaging and exciting. Plus, it features personalized feedback, allowing you to track your progress and improve at your own pace.
9. Kingdom Chess
Learn from interactive tutorials, Practice with AI opponents
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($14.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Board |
| Downloads | Over 50,000 |
| Features | Kingdom Chess offers online and offline chess play, puzzle solving, bot matches, friend challenges, game analysis, and a friendly tutor for learning chess. |
| Who It’s For | Beginner to intermediate chess players looking for a fun and engaging app to learn chess. |
- Tags:
- Online and Offline Play
- Chess puzzles and challenges
- Compete with bots and players
Kingdom Chess is a fun and engaging app designed to introduce players to the world of chess. While it may not be the ideal choice for seasoned players seeking competitive matches, it offers a unique blend of chess gameplay and kingdom building. The app features puzzles and challenges to test your strategic thinking and rewards you with scrolls for completing tasks, which can be used to upgrade your kingdom. However, the progression system can feel somewhat limiting as some key features require in-app purchases. Despite this, Kingdom Chess provides a lighthearted and approachable way to learn the basics of chess and develop your strategic skills, making it a worthwhile option for beginners.
Pros & Cons
- Fun way to learn chess
- Educational with bonus puzzles
- Engaging kingdom building aspect
- Good for speed chess practice
- Tedious for serious players
- Paywall for scroll collection
- Incomplete and lacking features
Why we chose it?
Kingdom Chess is a great choice for anyone looking to learn chess on their phone. It's packed with features like interactive puzzles, detailed game analysis, and a friendly tutor to guide you through the basics. Plus, you can play against AI opponents of varying skill levels, perfect for honing your skills and building your confidence. The app also lets you connect with other players for friendly matches and even tournaments, making it a fun and engaging way to learn and improve.