Chess for Android

4.2
109K reviews
10M+
Downloads
Content rating
PEGI 3
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About this game

Chess for Android consists of a chess engine and a GUI. The application accepts moves through the touch screen, trackball, or keyboard (e2e4 pushes the king pawn, e1g1 castles king side, etc.). An optional "move coach" highlights valid user moves during input and last played engine move. Full game navigation enables users to correct mistakes or analyze games. Games import and export as FEN/PGN to and from the clipboard or via sharing, load and save as file, or are set up through a position editor. A draw by stalemate, insufficient material, the fifty move rule, or threefold repetition is recognized. The engine plays at various levels (including random, against itself in auto-play, or free-play, where the game can be used as a "magnetic chessboard"). The user can play either side and, independently, view the board from the perspective of white or black.

The application supports the Universal Chess Interface (UCI) and Chess Engine Communication Protocol (WinBoard and XBoard), which allows users to play against more powerful third party engines or even play tournaments between engines. Engines are imported in Android Open Exchange format (OEX), in Android Chessbase compatible format, or directly from SD card. Engine setup features time control, pondering, infinite analysis, hash tables, multiple threads, endgame tablebases, and opening test suites.

The application connects to an external electronic chessboard (Certabo, Chessnut, ChessUp, DGT, House of Staunton, or Millennium) and supports online play on FICS (Free Internet Chess Server) or ICC (Internet Chess Club).

Online manual at:
https://www.aartbik.com/android_manual.php

PERMISSION NOTES:
You can freely disable permissions you don't want to grant, the rest of the application will continue to work:
+ Storage (Files and Media): only required when you want to load and save games to SD Card
+ Location: only required if you want to connect to DGT Pegasus/Chessnut Air, which requires a Bluetooth LE scan
Updated on
Jul 13, 2025

Data safety

Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
No data shared with third parties
Learn more about how developers declare sharing
No data collected
Learn more about how developers declare collection

Ratings and reviews

4.1
101K reviews
Andrew Wilson
July 19, 2025
Super chess program. And the latest update just made it perfect. This keeps my brain going for hours. I would not use anything else. THANK YOU UPDATE - yes, selecting full screen (when playing....full screen) does allow the pieces to be moved at the top of the screen. Thank you very much!! Also, if you make a donate or purchase option, I would be happy to sponsor as I love this app!!
4 people found this review helpful
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Aart Bik
July 18, 2025
This is alas a result of Google Play constantly forcing developers to target the latest API. I believe that if you choose "full screen" in the settings, the ui will "retreat" after a few seconds and everything is visible again. Can you please confirm?
Barry Propes
July 23, 2025
Well, this was working completely well prior to my upgrade to a GS5 and Lollipop. Seems that with their new menu structure many apps can't be run the same way like in prior versions. Any chance for a new update for this? I don't have the ability to change levels now. :( 7/22/25 - latest update really screwed this up badly. please fix. Every shortcut/cmd button minimizes the app. Terrible experience currently. sorry.
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Gábor Mihály
July 18, 2025
The last update added a bug on magic os(honor magic5 pro). I can't touch the top row because the ui covers it. Edit: Full screen setting works as you stated, thanks! I had to kill the app and start it again to even be able to click anything at the bottom menu.
1 person found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Aart Bik
July 18, 2025
This is alas a result of Google Play constantly forcing developers to target the latest API. I believe that if you choose "full screen" in the settings, the ui will "retreat" after a few seconds and everything is visible again. Can you please confirm?

What’s new

House of Staunton BLE support (including LEDs)
Made app API 36 compliant