15 Best Chess Apps For Android 2026

Chess is one of the most mentally stimulating and entertaining games. It helps players exercise both sides of the brain and creates an avenue for people to socialize and build potentially helpful relationships.

While the game is traditionally played on boards, today it is available virtually and anyone can therefore download and install it on their Android device. But with many developers claiming to have the best app, it can be quite difficult to know which of the options available is ideal for your specific needs.

There are many Chess apps available these days such as Chess Live, Chess Minis, Chess with Friends and others. Though the best Chess apps for Android are Chess, and Chess Universe. These apps provide an impressive gameplay with beautiful graphics.

Let’s find out more about these apps and some other alternatives to help you pick the best.

Best Chess Apps For Android

1. Chess

Chess is one of the most popular apps you can download and install on your Android device. It boasts a beautiful interface with an intuitive design that makes for an enjoyable experience.

Chess has 12 gaming levels, making it an ideal pick for beginners and experts alike. There is a Chess Tutor option that lets you have a look at a recommended move before making it.

The feature can be pretty helpful for anyone still learning to play the game. You can also activate the hint feature which highlights a recommended complete move.

The app has an analysis function that lets you get some insights into the general impact of any move you take. Chess supports the two-player gaming mode where you can go up against your friend in person or take up opponents that are registered online.

The app offers a wide selection of 2D and 3D boards and piece sets so you’ll be spoiled for choice. Finally, the application is available to download and install completely free of charge.

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2. Chess Universe

Chess Universe is another impressive game you can download and install on your mobile device. It offers a variety of gaming modes including easy mode, blitz chess, bullet chess, and rapid chess.

You can easily switch from one mode to another depending on your proficiency in playing. One of the best things about this game is that it records your performance over a period of time and assigns you a level accordingly.

The higher you move in ranking, the tougher your opponents get. There are daily chess challenges that you can take on to win rewards and increase your ratings.

The app includes an invitation link you can send out to friends so that they can also join in on the fun. You are free to go up against your friends or join local, regional, and international tournaments where you face other players on the platform.

Chess Universe is available both online and offline so you don’t have to worry about having an internet connection all the time. The application is available to use completely free of charge.

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3. Chess for Kids

Chess for Kids is another excellent application you can download and install on your device. One of the things that make it stand out is that it is designed to help children learn the basics of playing chess.

It can be quite helpful for parents and coaches who wish to sharpen the skills of their students. Users can either choose to play slow or fast chess depending on their proficiency.

Users also get to go through a detailed online curriculum on playing so that by the time they reach advanced levels, they will be quite conversant with the strategies necessary to win. This is one of the few apps that provide student chess report cards as a way of ensuring that all participants are engaged and encouraged.

Like most apps on this list, Chess for Kids makes it possible for users to play against their friends or join international tournaments to face off with other players around the globe.

4. Chess with Friends

Chess with Friends features impressive graphics to ensure that you enjoy every stage of gaming. It is among the few Android apps designed to encourage participants to socialize while facing off.

The in-chat feature makes it possible to taunt friends and random opponents as a way of increasing the stakes. The app also integrates with Facebook so that you can invite friends from the social media platform.

It includes a practice mode where you can face the AI called Chesster the chess coach. This AI opponent can be activated whether you are connected to the internet or not.

Before choosing an opponent, you are able to check out their profile and statistics. Such information helps you get into a match with full knowledge of the type of person you are about to play against.

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5. Chess Live

Chess Live has a rating of 4.1 stars and has been downloaded over 10 million times on the Google Play Store. It has exciting graphics and incorporates sound effects to ensure you get a unique experience when playing.

Once you sign up for the game, you are free to create a username and change it at any time. The app allows you to play against its AI or face a random opponent on the internet.

Chess Live has five difficulty levels making it possible for beginners and experts to enjoy their gaming sessions. You can activate the hint feature to highlight possible moves or deactivate it to test your skills unaided.

This is a lightweight application that downloads and installs on your Android device quickly. It is available completely free of charge.

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6. Chess Minis

While many free chess apps for Android include ads as a way of generating revenue, Chess Minis sets itself apart because it is available for free and does not run any annoying ads.

The application makes it easy for you to compete in games with your friends locally. In case you do not have any friends to play with, you can always enter one of the online tournaments to play against random opponents throughout the world.

Another impressive thing about this app is that it includes a variety of puzzles to test your knowledge of different things. As you crack each puzzle you get rewards you can use to unlock different boards and sets.

Chess Minis has an impressive layout with clearly marked sections for easy navigation. You also get to choose from a variety of 3D chess boards and set pieces.

This is another application that encourages social interactions by allowing users to create squads that anyone can be invited to join. You can take a break from gaming and just chat with members of your squad.

Chess Minis is customizable so you can make different adjustments to suit your preference.

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7. Real Chess 3D

If you are thinking of a chess app with realistic 3D graphics, you’ll be pleased to know that Real Chess 3D checks all the right boxes. Once you install the app, you can start gaming at the lowest level which is ideal for beginners, and then slowly make your way to the fourth and highest level ideal for experts.

Another impressive thing about this game is that it includes melodious music that will help you relax as you enjoy the gaming session. You can play against an AI opponent or connect to the internet to test your skills against real human players from around the world.

Real Chess 3D is customizable meaning you get to choose the type of board and table to use. You also get to choose piece types and checkers.

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8. Chess World 3D

Next up on this list of the best chess apps for Android is Chess World 3D. Like most on this list, it is available to use free of charge.

However, you may need to make in-app purchases to unlock its full potential. The application offers 10 unique chess boards but you can increase the options when you make some purchases.

Once you sign up, you are free to choose your avatar from 15 different options. You can then decide to play against the computer AI or join online tournaments where you can play against other users from different locations.

There are various chess modes with different durations to suit your preference. For instance, you can choose a mode with two-minute sessions or go for the 30-minute version.

This is another gaming application with realistic graphics and soothing music to help you relax through each gaming session. If you join online tournaments, you’ll have access to Leaderboards and stats to help you understand your progress.

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9. Lichess – Free Online Chess

Lichess is another popular chess application for Android with a rating of 4.5 stars. It has been downloaded over 10 million times on Google Play and has 150,000 daily users.

It offers a variety of gaming modes including blitz, classical, bullet, and correspondence chess. Users can search for other players, follow them, and even challenge them to one on one duels.

There are also arena tournaments where users get to play with others in order to increase their ranking and win cool prizes. The app works both offline and online so you can rest assured of beating your boredom at any time.

The game also includes chess puzzles that are meant to help you sharpen your knowledge and skills. It supports over 80 languages making it one of the most accessible to people from around the world.

Lichess is compatible with tablets and smartphones and is available free of charge with no annoying pop-up ads.

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10. Chess Battle – Online Clash

Chess Battle makes it to this list of the best chess apps for Android thanks to its simple interface and feature-packed design. Once installed, you can use a single device to play against your friends and family.

Alternatively, you can join online tournaments and face off with other players from different locations. The online version incorporates ELO leaderboards so you can keep track of your progress against other players.

As you win online contests you’ll receive a variety of rewards that you can use to unlock new boards and chess pieces. The offline version has 10 difficulty levels ensuring that everyone can find something to match their proficiency.

You get to choose your favorite boards and switch through different visual skins for your chess pieces. Another impressive thing about this game is that it also allows you to choose the city you want to play in.

Like others on this list, Chess Battle includes different puzzles to test your knowledge. It is worth noting that you can choose the speed of the game depending on your goals.

For instance, if you select the blitz or rapid version of the game you’ll only have a few seconds to make up your mind when making moves. You can also go for the correspondence mode that affords you more time to think about your next move.

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11. Play Magnus – Play Chess

If you are looking for an app to help you learn about chess, Play Magnus should certainly be among your top choices. This is a lightweight application that takes up little space on your device and utilizes a fraction of the system’s resources.

It has a beautiful interface and incorporates a variety of tutorials and guides to help you learn about chess. The app is designed in such a way that you’ll be squaring it out with famous chess players represented by AI.

You can activate the hints feature to help you find the most suitable moves to make. You are also free to undo moves in case you find out that the overall outcome is unfavorable.

The application includes short yet strategic tips and tricks to help you improve your gaming level quickly. It keeps a record of your performance so you can assess progress over a period of time.

You can also invite friends to play with you and share your games with them.

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12. Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf

Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf is another impressive Android app you should consider. This is an ideal pick for anyone that wants to learn or sharpen their chess skills.

The application’s AI named Dr. Wolf walks you through different levels of gaming. He provides timely tips and tricks to help you improve your gaming prowess and promote critical thinking.

You’ll be pleased to find out that the app contains 30 detailed lessons for different skill levels. It also includes four different coaches so you don’t have to choose Dr. Wolf only.

This is another application that lets you undo bad moves. Additionally, it highlights some of the best moves while also providing insights into bad moves.

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13. Neon Chess

One of the best things about Neon Chess is that it has high-quality graphics that provide an immersive experience while gaming. The application is quite customizable allowing you to choose from a variety of chess boards and pieces.

You can either play against the AI or go online and find a human opponent to square it out with. The AI version has 24 difficulty levels so you can be sure to stay entertained for a long time.

Neon Chess is available to download and play free of charge. Additionally, it does not have annoying adverts like other free apps.

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14. Champion Chess

Champion Chess is another exciting Android app you should consider. The game features more than 60 different virtual AI personalities so you can swap them whenever you want to break the monotony.

The app includes practice games where you can test out your skills and sharpen your critical thinking abilities before you finally join a competitive tournament. There are several tournaments you can join with some ideal for beginners while others are suited for advanced players.

Champion Chess has realistic graphics and soothing music to ensure you enjoy an immersive and relaxing experience.

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15. Real Chess

Finally on this list of the best chess apps for Android is Real Chess. This game stands out from most competitors thanks to its state-of-the-art graphics and intuitive design.

There are more than one million registered users worldwide which is why you can rest assured of facing real opponents at any time you feel like gaming.

Its matchmaking feature ensures that people of the same skill level can duel with each other rather than having to go up against tougher opponents.

You’ll be happy to know that the AI version has over 2,400 difficulty levels making it possible for you to advance over a long period of time. There are 3D and 2D variants of chess boards so you are always free to select the one you desire.

This application supports landscape and portrait modes. Additionally, it is available free of charge.

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Wrapping It Up

Having a reliable chess app on your Android device can be a great way to pass time while also improving your critical thinking skills. While there are many chess apps available, only a handful live up to the promise of being exceptional.

If you are looking for a chess app with impressive graphics, multiple difficulty levels, and online reach, go for Chess or Chess Universe.

Chess for Kids and Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf are also great options for anyone that wants to learn and improve their gaming proficiency.

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