Is Chess.com Premium Worth It?
A fair assessment of whether paying for Chess.com makes sense, and for whom.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: I never tell someone they must pay for chess. The free resources available today are extraordinary. But I also respect that Chess.com has built something valuable, and if their premium features fit your routine, the investment can be worthwhile.
Overview
Chess.com offers three premium tiers: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Each unlocks progressively more features beyond the free experience. The question every player eventually asks is: should I pay?
The answer depends entirely on how you use Chess.com and what alternatives you are willing to explore. This guide breaks down what you get at each tier, whether it provides genuine value, and when free alternatives might serve you just as well.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Free | Gold ($5.99) | Platinum ($9.99) | Diamond ($13.99) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Puzzles | Limited daily | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Game Review | Basic | Full analysis | Full analysis | Full analysis |
| Lessons | Limited | More access | Full access | Full access |
| Ads | Yes | No | No | No |
| Extra Features | None | Stats, themes | Coach tools | All features |
Detailed Review
The biggest value in Chess.com premium comes from three features: unlimited puzzles, full game analysis, and the lesson library.
Unlimited puzzles matter if you solve puzzles daily as part of your training. The free limit of a few puzzles per day is not enough for serious tactical training. If puzzles are central to your routine, this alone may justify the subscription.
Full game analysis is valuable for players who review their games. The premium analysis shows you where you blundered, missed tactics, and deviated from best play. This is essential for improvement, though Lichess offers comparable analysis for free.
The lesson library is Chess.com's unique premium asset. Hundreds of video and interactive lessons from titled players cover every aspect of the game. If you learn well from video content and structured exercises, this is genuine value.
The Gold tier at $5.99/month covers the essentials. Platinum adds some extras. Diamond at $13.99/month includes everything but is hard to justify unless you use Chess.com extensively.
Who Should Use What?
Pay for Chess.com Premium if you use Chess.com daily, solve puzzles regularly, review your games, and watch lessons. The Gold tier offers the best value for most players.
Stay on the free tier if you mainly play games casually and do not use analysis or puzzles heavily.
Consider Lichess as an alternative if you want premium-level features without the cost. Everything Chess.com charges for in analysis and puzzles is free on Lichess.
A practical middle ground: use Chess.com free for games and community, Lichess free for analysis and puzzles, and save the subscription money for something else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Chess.com Premium before committing?
Chess.com occasionally offers free trials and discounted introductory periods. Check their pricing page for current offers before committing to a full-price subscription.
Is the annual plan cheaper?
Yes, paying annually is significantly cheaper per month than the monthly rate. If you are committed to using Chess.com, the annual plan is better value.
What happens to my games if I cancel premium?
Your games, rating, and account remain. You simply lose access to premium features and return to the free tier limitations.
Professor Archer says: Here is my practical advice: try the free tier for a month. If you find yourself hitting limits that frustrate you — puzzle caps, analysis restrictions — the premium might be worth it. If you are content, save your money and put it toward a chess book instead.
Quick Quiz
Which Chess.com premium feature has a free equivalent on Lichess?
- Access to play online games - Online games are available on Chess.com's free tier as well, so this is not a premium-only feature.
- Full engine analysis of your games (Correct) - Correct. Lichess offers full Stockfish analysis of all your games completely free. On Chess.com, full game analysis requires a premium subscription.
- Chess.com's specific lesson videos - Chess.com's lesson videos are unique to their platform. While Lichess has studies and learning resources, the specific video content is exclusive to Chess.com.
- Chess.com tournament participation - Both free and premium Chess.com users can participate in many tournaments, and tournament access is not the primary draw of premium.