Best Chess App for Beginners
Starting chess can feel overwhelming. These apps make the first steps welcoming and clear.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: The biggest mistake beginners make is not choosing the wrong app — it is quitting too early because they felt lost or stupid. The right app for a beginner is the one that makes them want to come back tomorrow.
Overview
Choosing your first chess app sets the tone for your entire chess journey. A good beginner experience should teach the rules clearly, provide practice at an appropriate level, offer encouragement, and never make you feel like you are falling behind.
Not every chess platform prioritizes beginners. Some are built for competitive players, others for advanced study. This guide focuses specifically on the experience for someone who is new to chess or returning after many years away.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Old School Chess | Chess.com | Lichess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Onboarding | Guided coaching | Structured lessons | Basic tutorial |
| Learning Style | Personal coaching | Video + interactive | Self-directed |
| Difficulty Adaptation | Adjusts to your level | Lesson difficulty tiers | Puzzle rating adjusts |
| Encouragement | Built into coaching | Achievement badges | Rating progression |
| Price for Beginners | Free to start | Limited free, $5.99+/mo for full | Free |
| Overwhelm Factor | Low — guided path | Medium — many menus | Low — clean design |
Detailed Review
Old School Chess was designed with beginners as the primary audience. Professor Archer's coaching style is patient, clear, and warm. Concepts are introduced when they are relevant to what you are working on, not dumped in a long list. For an adult who feels self-conscious about being new to chess, this approach can make all the difference.
Chess.com's beginner experience is well-produced. The Learn tab offers interactive lessons that teach rules, basic tactics, and opening principles. The production quality is high, with video explanations from titled players. The limitation is that much of this content requires a premium subscription, and the overall interface has many features that can distract or overwhelm a new player.
Lichess provides a clean, distraction-free experience. The Learn section covers the basics, and the simple interface means fewer buttons to confuse you. However, Lichess does not actively guide you — it provides tools and trusts you to use them. For some beginners, this independence is refreshing. For others, it means getting stuck without knowing what to do next.
Who Should Use What?
If you are completely new to chess and want someone to guide you step by step, Old School Chess is built for exactly this. The coaching experience removes the guesswork.
If you prefer video lessons and interactive exercises and do not mind paying a subscription, Chess.com's premium beginner content is excellent.
If you are a self-starter who wants a free, clean platform and is comfortable figuring things out, Lichess is a wonderful place to begin.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to play regularly and review your games. Improvement at the beginner level comes quickly when you combine playing with even a small amount of study.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to stop being a beginner?
With consistent practice and study, most players move past the beginner stage within a few months. The exact timeline varies, but regular play combined with learning from your mistakes accelerates progress significantly.
Should beginners play against computers or humans?
Both have value. Computers at low difficulty settings provide a stress-free environment to practice. Human opponents help you learn to read real game situations. A mix of both is ideal.
Is it normal to lose a lot as a beginner?
Absolutely. Every chess player loses frequently when starting out. Losses are the most valuable learning opportunities. The key is to review what went wrong and learn from each game.
Professor Archer says: I designed my teaching approach for the person who opened a chess app for the very first time and thought, "I have no idea what I am doing." That is a perfectly fine place to start. Every grandmaster was once exactly there.
Quick Quiz
What is the most important quality in a chess app for beginners?
- Having the most grandmaster-level content - Grandmaster-level content is not helpful for beginners. What matters is clear instruction at an appropriate level.
- Offering a guided, encouraging learning experience (Correct) - Correct. Beginners benefit most from apps that guide them step by step and provide encouragement, reducing the chance of frustration and quitting.
- Having the fastest matchmaking - Fast matchmaking is convenient but not the most important factor. Beginners need quality instruction more than rapid game access.
- Having the highest-rated players - Playing against much stronger opponents is not beneficial for beginners. Balanced matchmaking at your level is more helpful.