The learning tools are what set it apart. There are thousands of puzzles sorted by difficulty, from “I just learned how the knight moves” to “I’m trying not to blunder in the endgame.” The lessons are short and practical—think five-minute videos that explain one concept, like how to use your pawns or when to castle. I’ve personally used the “Analysis” board after losing a game to see exactly where I went wrong. It highlights your mistakes and suggests better moves, which is way more helpful than just staring at the board feeling dumb.

You can also play against the computer at different strength levels. The beginner bots make obvious mistakes so you can practice punishing them, while the stronger ones will punish you if you’re not careful. There’s even a “Drills” section for practicing specific endgames, like checkmating with a rook and king. It’s dry but effective—I went from losing those positions every time to winning them in my sleep.

The social side is decent too. You can chat with opponents during games, join clubs based on your rating or interests, and even spectate high-rated players’ matches. The app’s free tier gives you plenty—unlimited games, daily puzzles, and basic lessons. A premium subscription unlocks deeper analysis and more lessons, but you don’t need it to get better.

If you’re a beginner or someone who’s played casually and wants to improve, this is the app. One tip: start with the “Rapid” time controls (10 minutes per side) instead of blitz. It gives you breathing room to think, which is where the real learning happens.