iPad: What's the best Chess iPad App?

[marc55]

I'd like to play Chess with the grandkids who do not live locally, and would like to know if any of you guys can recommend a good Chess App.

I have the iPad 3, and they have the Mini.

Thank you

[bjm2660]

Visually, I like Stockfish chess. So many of the chess apps are very cluttered and distracting--faux wood grain, 3D pieces, etc. However, Stockfish has no built-in online multiplayer feature. You'd have to email the positions back and forth. This can be done from within the program. It is nice and clean.

Doesn't Zynga, the company responsible for Words With Friends, make a Chess With Friends?

Edit: Chess With Friends is currently iPhone only--it has to be up-scaled.

Good luck. I'm interested to see what you come up with.

[ZBoater]

I like tChess Pro. Looks nice on the iPad.

[jojoba]

I haven't tried that many and I'm fairly new to chess, but I'm using Chess by Mastersoft, which I quite like so far. They have a pro version as well, but this has all the customisation I want so far.

[irDigital0l]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

I like tChess Pro. Looks nice on the iPad.

I have tChess Lite

I think the pro version is just harder levels but the Lite one costs a lot cheaper.

They basically are the same.

[Carlanga]

I heard "Chess Time" is simple and good.

[cardfan]

tchess pro or chess.com

[Fatalbert]

Originally Posted by bjm2660

Doesn't Zynga, the company responsible for Words With Friends, make a Chess With Friends?

Yeah, but it's typical Zynga. Ads everywhere, glitchy interface, lag, battery chewing, cluttered screen, annoying notifications, you name it.

I am also interested in a chess app like the OP.

[Abazigal]

I use simpleboard. Great free app that let's you set up custom chess positions, as well as 2-player support.

[lexvo]

Stockfish is a free and strong chess app.

I use Chess Pro with Coach for playing and improving my chess.

[Almy]

I've been hoping for a good iOS chess program with some nice graphics for a few years now. So far I haven't found anything with a good mix of all needs.

[960design]

I've been using Caissa for years. It has so good to me that I haven't yet considered looking for another one.

Caissa is pretty plain though. If you are looking for pretty, I'd recommend Shredder.

[WhySoSerious]

Originally Posted by marc55

I'd like to play Chess with the grandkids who do not live locally, and would like to know if any of you guys can recommend a good Chess App.

I have the iPad 3, and they have the Mini.

Thank you

purchase Social Chess. it's by far the most beautiful and polished chess app there is. no other chess app can touch it.

[Almy]

Does it have boards other than what shows up in the App Store preview? What's there looks pretty similar to other offerings.

[Pecheneg]

Shredder Chess is THE best out there. Pricey though

https://itunes.apple.com/app/shredde...364900027?mt=8

[lexvo]

I also read good things about Hiarcs. Also pricy though...

[Almy]

Well I came across what I've been searching for in regards to looks. I would guess anyone looking for an advanced chess engine will still prefer other apps. But iChess 3d has a beautiful board, and with some adjustments I doubt I would ever look for another app.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iche...518984641?mt=8

[macAPPtosh]

We've just release Shakki (finn. "Chess"), a brand new Chess App for iPhone and iPad (Eastern offer 50% off until April, 10).

https://itunes.apple.com/app/shakki/id622511105

It's worth a try :-)

Regards,

Ulf Bierkämper

[antonv]

The best chess app for iPhone / iPad is 'Chess Prime HD Free'

very challenging, great graphics, music and lots of options. And it's FREE.

http://vintagames.weebly.com/chess-prime.html
app store link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ches...906?lls=1&mt=8

[AppleRobert]

Chess Pro - With Coach

I was just browsing appshopper.com and noticed this app is now free. Don't know for how long and I don't know anything about the gameplay.

[lexvo]

Originally Posted by AppleRobert

Chess Pro - With Coach

I was just browsing appshopper.com and noticed this app is now free. Don't know for how long and I don't know anything about the gameplay.

Good find. This is a very good chess program with a coach function. You can also play variations which is very helpful if you are studying chess positions.

The engine is very strong. Maybe not as strong as Hiarcs but more than strong enough for a middle class player like me

Unlike some other chess programs, it works on both ipad and iphone, no need to buy seperate versions.

BTW, I paid $0,99 two months ago when it was on sale. Normal price is $9,99 so I'm suprised it is free now (for a limited time probably).

[mrmarts]

The best chess app I grew up with my Nokia 6600 Symbian phone was chess genius, I was thrilled to find it on the App Store. It's very minimalist and challenging.

[PracticalMac]

So much chess, so little time.

What are the top 3 to look at?

[lexvo]

Originally Posted by PracticalMac

So much chess, so little time.

What are the top 3 to look at?

From what I've read on various websites:
- Hiarcs
- Shredder
- Chess pro with coach
- tChess pro
- Stockfish: free (open source), but a very strong engine

All these are very strong and will defeat any average player easily. Of course you can set the strength to your liking.

Chess pro with coach and tChess pro are universal binaries for iPhone and iPad.
You have to buy separate copies of Hiarcs and Shredder if you want to play chess on iPad and iPhone.

tChess pro has no landscape mode

My advice would be: get Stockfish if you just want to play chess. It is free, but very good, much better than other free and paid apps. Then if you want more specific features, purchase one (or more) of the other apps.

If you want to play remote with others:
- Social chess
- Chess - play and learn