We can all agree that nothing beats the feeling of playing on a real chessboard. You get to set up the chessboard, play with chess figurines, and experience the adrenaline rush physically. However, nowadays, chess apps/websites are a preferred option over chessboards because of their portability and affordability. After all, that's how internet events like FIDE Chess.com WCC are possible in the first place. Without further ado, let me tell you about the best chess apps on iPad and iPhones.
Best Chess Apps for iPad and iPhone in 2022
1. Chess Play and Learn [Rating: 4.5/5]
Chess.com is the godfather of online chess. From hosting tournaments to providing free lessons, you will find everything on the chess.com website. But, you don't have to go to their website every time you want to use it because chess.com has developed the perfect app-Chess Play and Learn. You can use every feature of the website on the app itself anytime and anywhere you want. This app comes with 20+ themes for boards, pieces, and backgrounds. Besides tracking your detailed performance stats and ratings, you can also become a part of the active community forum of chess players.
Notable Features
1. Play chess online You can play uncountable games with players from all over the world. If you're uncomfortable playing with strangers, you can challenge your friends and play with them or simply play against the computer/AI. Not to forget, you can chat with opponents during the game. On top of that, you can play real-time blitz and increase your rating.
2. Chess puzzles Solving puzzles trains you to develop your presence of mind. With more than 65,000 puzzles, Chess Play and Learn becomes the perfect option to strengthen tactical thinking.
3. Lessons Playing chess is one thing and learning chess is another. This app comes with thousands of videos and interactive lessons from top Grandmasters. So, along with regular chess classes, learning from these videos will prepare you for the tournaments. In addition to that, you will have access to interactive tutorials with helpful tips and highlights.
4. Game Analysis Many a time, you play moves during a chess game without realizing how self-destructive they are. This iPhone app brings the opportunity to analyze your previous games and learn from your mistakes.
5. Opening Explorer This feature teaches you to learn about chess openings and how to pick the right one.
Pros
Can play real-time blitz for free
Connect with other players
Chess community
Smartphone friendly
Cons
Lags sometimes
2. Real Chess 3D [Rating: 4.7/5]
It's an excellent iPhone chess app with a 4.7 rating and 70k reviews on the Apple store. The only reason why Chess Play and Learn is on the top of this list is because of its extraordinary features. However, when it comes to efficiency, Real Chess 3D provides a better service. With its 3D graphics and lag-free run, it takes your chess-playing experience to another level. Let's get into its features.
Notable Features
1. Play chess online Unlike Chess Play and Learn, you can't play real-time blitz on this app. But, you can challenge your friends to play a chess game with you anytime, anywhere. You can also play chess against the AI to practice your skills when you have no human to play with. Not to forget, there are 4 different difficulty levels to choose from as per your skills.
2. Customized Board and Pieces If you're after a real chess-playing experience, this is the perfect option for you. From choosing the chess board, checkers, and figurines to selecting a table, you can customize the entire look and feel of the game. Thanks to its realistic 3D graphics, you can feel like you are physically playing a game of chess.
3. Relaxing Music It won't be entirely wrong to say that Real Chess 3D is more suitable for leisure players than professionals. There are many who play chess because of its benefits, like enhancing concentration and problem-solving skills. If you're also a leisure player, try this "relaxing music" feature.
Pros
Better chess playing experience
Graphics
Suitable for leisure players
Cons
Can't play real-time blitz
Not for professionals
No lessons
3. Chess for Kids [Rating: 4.7/5]
This is another chess.com app available on the Apple store, but it's specifically for young learners. Given the fact that many chess grandmasters are prodigies who cross several milestones at a young age, this app is an equally important one. Chess for Kids is the perfect option for children to spend time productively. Moreover, if somebody wants to take chess as a career, they can also use this app. With a child-friendly interface, this iPad chess app matches children from around the world based on their ratings. So, if you're looking for a chess app on the apple store for your kids, Chess for Kids is the best one with 32.5k reviews.
Notable Features
1. Play chess online This app works quite the same as Chess Play and Learn. In addition to inviting your friends to play on this app, you can also play with strangers with a similar rating. Young chess players can also challenge the ChessBots to practice their skills.
2. Chess Puzzles This feature brings thousands of tricky chess puzzles with a kids-friendly interface.
3. Educational Videos This app comes with hundreds of funny, educational chess videos for kids to learn from scratch.
Pros
Play chess for free
Chess learning videos
Kids-friendly
Cons
Gold membership subscription
4. Play Magnus [Rating: 4.7/5]
Have you ever dreamed of playing with Magnus Carlsen? If you have, here's how your dream is coming true–download Play Magnus. Yep, this app is built to give you the experience of playing with grandmaster from the comfort of your home. Besides Carlsen, you can also get the experience of playing with other chess legends, such as Judith Polgar and Wesley So. The USP of this app is its fun side. In addition to playing and learning chess with Grandmasters, you also get to experience friendly banter during the games. Let's get started with features in detail.
Notable Features
1. Pocket Chess Coach This feature brings "Carlsen" to walk you through the basics of chess, followed by strategic tips and tactical tricks from the king himself. During the games, this feature provides helpful hints and takes back pieces to original spots to avoid mistakes.
2. Magnometer Use the Magnometer tool to guide you on the right and wrong decisions during the matches.
3. Play Chess Online With this app, you can invite your friends to a game of chess.
Pros
Suitable for iPads
Great for beginners
"Coach" feature
Cons
Not suitable for iPhones
5. Shredder Chess [Rating: 4.4/5]
This is another ideal iPhone chess app for beginners. It has a decent rating and comes with essential features. If you're looking for an efficient AI opponent for daily practice, this is the app for you. Even though you can't play with a human opponent on this platform, you are less likely to miss it. Because Shredder is one of the most successful chess programs that can mimic the play of a human chess player and can deliberately make typical human mistakes. Not to forget, the errors are always according to your level. Now, let's get to the features in detail.
Notable Features
1. Play with Shredder, the Chessbot Unlike other chess apps, this boasts of 12 times smarter AI with intuitive guessing skills. It can customize the opponent's moves based on your weaknesses to challenge you and improve your skills.
2. Chess Puzzles On Shredder, you get 100 tactics puzzles to strengthen your tactical skills.
3. Analyze your games Analyze your games with Shredder to find out your mistakes and work on them.
4. Coach Available During the games, there's a coach available who will watch your moves and warn you before you make a mistake.
Pros
Great for beginners
"Coach" feature
Calculates an ELO rating based on your performance
Cons
Can't play with humans
No lessons
FAQs
Is there a chess app for iPads? Yes, there are several chess apps for iPads available on the Apple store. Some of them are Chess Play and Learn, Play Magnus, Real Chess 3D, etc.
Which free chess app is best? Chess play and learn by chess.com is the best free chess app for iPhones and iPads.
Why should I use chess apps? Using chess apps is the best way to play with players from around the world. Besides being portable and affordable, these apps can provide a real chess-playing experience anywhere, anytime.
Conclusion There are many apps that work on android apps, but only a handful of them work with the same efficiency on iPads and iPhones. So, go through the above list of best chess apps for iPad and iPhone in 2022 before choosing one for yourself. See you in the next blog!
