I'm a beginner in chess and recently I decided I wanted to better my game. I looked on the App Store for a chess app that I could get that could help me practice and was free. Unfortunately, I could not find one that was free, but I did run across this app. The price ($8) seemed too high especially since I haven't bought an app before (I relied on free apps only). After looking around and reading some of the reviews, I realized how much of a powerhouse this app actually is. I was going to get tChess Lite since I'm a beginner, but I figured if I'm going to get better there might be a point when tChess Lite would become too easy so why not just invest the $8 now and get the Pro version. The feature list definitely warrants the price as this app has everything you need from just playing a quick pickup game to analyzing each and every move and strategy. I also looked at Caissa Chess as it has been out longer, has more reviews, and seems to be the choice chess app currently. I still went with this app because a) the computer seems to be stronger as it has beaten Caissa Chess repeatedly and b) the app was released less than a month ago which explains the small number of reviews at the moment (7 when I bought it). It's very simple to use and the developer is definitely invested in the product. He's responsive in emails and already has plans for updates with new features. If you're on the fence about any of the chess apps or want an app that can be useful to you in the short (quick pickup games) and long term (practice and develop strategies to become better), then definitely go with this one. Pay the $8 as it is well worth the price. Email the developer as well with any questions as he is very helpful and responds quickly.

Nice interface, nice options, nice chess engine.

This is the best chess game I've played, not only on the iPhone but for the Mac too. I play heads-up with my wife all the time. It has the best user interface I've seen and it has some features I haven't seen in any other chess programs, like the time controls screen. It has a highly efficient engine because it's fast, yet, I play chess all the time and the engine is really strong, but my wife can play it on easy and some of the best players I know can't beat the higher levels.

Finally a chess program for the iPhone that is worthy of the platform.

I've been playing tChess Pro for a few days now and it's a solid application. I'm not a very advanced player so I usually give into the hint button for almost every single move. There's also an analysis mode if you're really stuck on what to do. I was first surprised at this because I used to play the Chessmaster series for Windows and their analyses actually told you what moves you should do, how it will improve your game and still automate black. This program takes you into two player mode and you have to move black yourself; you have to turn off analysis mode to go back to single player. But this is a luxury feature and it's not found in other apps anyway, I think. It also has a position editor whenever you want to recreate a historical game you can put all the pieces whereever you want, provided you remember the exact positions of that game. Pro: Easy, uncomplicated UI, plenty of options in the settings, great for just sitting down and immediately getting into the game. Cons: It's expensive, but arguably you get what you pay for; currently only available in portrait mode;

This game goes to details that many others don't consider. Well written program loaded with features. Only thing I'll say is that a brief "Help Page" to understand the analysis mode won't hurt. By the way, the ability to choose openings styles could be a significant plus...

Wow, I'm seriously impressed by this chess application. Well done! The possibility to set up your own boards is fantastic, I use it all the time to train openings and replay games from chess books. It clearly surpasses other chess applications in the AppStore. The developer didn't lie when he said, you have an analysis tool at your hand. Also, all the funtionality is very easy to use. Definitely worth the few bucks if you like chess and want to improve your game! Kudos to the developer! I have just one suggestion: could the 'Hint' button be placed among the main buttons underneath the chess board? Thank you for such a great app!

Intuitive UI is easy to pick up, and the tools make it easy to work on your game.

The strongest chess engine that I've Played so far on the iPhone.

I love the abilty to customize ply and time.. Its got a pretty stout engine. I tested it against a couple other chess games on here and it thumped them. The only one that is stronger than tchess is chess genius, but its feature set is not appealing to me. Unlike tchess you canot customize time or ply depth. For my money tChess is the best chess app on the iTunes store. Even if you're a grand master, who might find chess genious stronger engine more attractive, just think, tChess has much more power even if it simply due to the fact that you can give it unlimited time to think, a feature chess genius lacks.

Well worth the price for enthusiasts and beginners alike. If you're looking for online play, look at another app. tChess Pro's analysis mode is great for people wanting to improve their game. Reading the real-time move analysis, especially as you try different variations, can help you understand what move combinations are strong and why.

This chess app is perfect! It surpasses all other chess games on the app store, and on iTunes. Very high praise to the creator!

The AI does not often make random blunders, but it has an ungodly level of agression. This was a poor choice for an attempt at a human-like engine, because an AI has infinite patience. The analysis tool is hardly useful at all, as it doesn't explain hints in words.You won't learn anything about chess from it. This is a well made chess program that won't come close to being worth it's price until some sort of online functionality is added.

Perfect GUI, which why you should buy this over other programs. I don't think that I play my best chess on a screen this small, but I am starting to get used to it. Has enough levels to challenge beginer through master which makes it a real pleasure to play. The progran is not positionally stupid. I determined that level 6 only sees 3 ply, but this proved to be a challenge to this 1900 level player at speed chess. Levels 7 and 8 each go up one ply. A fixed time approach, even if miliseconds, would be a little better than this fixed depth approach which is weak in the endgame and suffers from the "horizon effect." Fortunately the program also allows you to select a fixed time response starting with 1 second, but even 1 second may be too strong for most people. The one thing this program needs for serious players is a way to email the text of the game. I would like to be able to easily analyze the games on the PC.

Very clean smooth program, it just needs an online feature. Pretty fun for playing against a computer

Very nice engine, the interface is fast and pleasant. Please move the settings button to the actions menu and put the hint button there in the front.

I wasted my money on all the other crappy chess games. This is THE cleanest, smoothest, bug free, lag free chess game for iphone.

Amazing game. Flawless. Thought of buying the lite version, but anyways later I wanted to play some higher levels. Best chess game. Strongly recommended.

The best chess game out there for the iPhone/iPod

Good game I'm really enjoying it + improving my game. I would just like to know what analysis mode is ( I'm assuming to play against yourself??) Only thing I want implemented is the ability to watch replay of your saved games.

I bought this a while back, thinking this could be used as a good chess engine and a player. On the highest level, I win 70% of the time! The engine finds moves incorrectly also. Occasionally, there is a good move or two.

I am 1880 uscf, and it keeps up with me when i play a game on the run. I usually always beat it on 12 when i play slow, but when i play fasy i will take back one or two moves and usually draw. This and shredder are the only programs worth more than a penny, and i would pay $20 if it were just a little stronger

I love this app, I'm not good at chess, but the top computer level seems like it would be a challenge for even the best. I would have given five if cheaper.

Great program with great support from developer--when I thought that the program was making an illegal capture, I wrote the developer. He responded within minutes that the move was a lawful move unknown to me (en passant) that I haven't seen in other chess software. Bravo!

Would have given it 5 stars, but the absence of representation for lost pieces is a little annoying, especially for the money spent.

I am 1880 uscf, and it keeps up with me when i play a game on the run. I usually always beat it on 12 when i play slow, but when i play fast i will take back one or two moves and usually draw. This and shredder are the only programs worth more than a penny, and i would pay $20 if it were just a little stronger

Graphics are simple and clean with some of the most difficult levels.

A good and challenging game. Statistics page would not hurt. And seriously, tougher levels need to be added.

Looks like it's the best chess game so far.

All the positive praise you read here is pretty much true. I had been waiting to buy a good chess app since 2.0 was released and am happy to have finally gotten my hands on this one. I've never written a review for an app before, but felt compelled to after purchasing this great program!

Love the blindfold feature allows me to play without the board and also to play with a regular board with out getting confuse with what I see on the screen. Fully recomend it.

I have been playing tChess Lite constantly for months. I finally upgraded to tChess Pro so I could save my games, and it's amazing how many more features Pro has. I just started using the Opening library feature to learn the names and moves of the common openings and my game is already improving.

I haven't tried all the chess apps but I've tried quite a few and read reviews until I was SURE I had read too many reviews. My advice to you? Depending on your needs you might find that tChess stomps the other apps pretty bad. If you're goal is to learn chess really well and pass n' play with friends you'll love this app as much as I do. At first I was kinda put off by the lack of online multiplayer (if it gets added after I write this we will have to figure out how to add a sixth star) but I soon found the free "chess with friends" app and if I want to play against others online that's the way to go. I usually prefer to play against the computer and I can't beat the computer above level 6....even if I cheat and take back moves. It's insanely good.

The main reason to buy this over other programs is that the GUI is perfect, bug free, and more pleasant to look at. This is very important when playing on a 3.5 inch screen. The program has levels that go from beginner to chess master and the analysis mode is also useful. I like how positionally astute the engine is. I have recommended it to my students. I am using T-Chess Pro to improve my game by playing it speed chess at level that is tough for me and using the takeback button when I make mistakes or fail to find a way to win. I think that this trial and error approach is very educational and I gotten better because of it!