Item: Chess and Mate learn and play
Rating: 85
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

85/100

Chess and Mate is the gold standard for teaching chess to children. Instead of a dry, academic approach, the game turns learning into a medieval adventure. You join Prince Kaspar in his castle as he learns the basics of the game, with each piece introduced as a character with its own personality and movement style. It’s a brilliant way to gamify what can often be an intimidating board game.

The app features a huge variety of mini-games that focus on specific skills, like 'pawn wars' or practicing checkmate patterns. These small chunks of gameplay are perfect for short attention spans. The visuals are charming and the UI is large and child-friendly. For parents looking to introduce their kids to the 'game of kings,' this is the most effective and entertaining tool available on the App Store. It builds a solid foundation while keeping the fun front and center.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

Finally, something worth my time. Chess doesn't need 'innovation,' it needs accessibility, and this app does a great job of that without dumbing down the rules. The 'Prince Kaspar' framing is clearly for children, but the actual exercises are solid. It teaches things like the Italian Gambit and 'en passant'—things even some casual adult players don't fully grasp.

It’s a bit 'cutesy,' but underneath the animated castle is a very competent chess engine and a well-structured curriculum. It’s one of the few apps on this list that leaves the player better off than they started. No ads, no predatory nonsense, just a clean educational tool. I wish there were more of these and fewer 'slots' simulators. It’s not the definitive chess app for grandmasters, but for a family wanting to learn together, it’s top-tier.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Excellent didactic approach
No ads or IAP bloat
Solid chess engine

A bit too juvenile for older players
Visuals are dated
Limited multiplayer features

Technical Report

Performance: Very stable; optimized for iPad usage.

Accessibility:

Step-by-step interactive tutorials

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want to learn chess or teach it to your children.

Skip if: You already know the rules of chess and want a professional-grade analysis tool.

Similar Games:

Chess.com
Lichess
Magnus Kingdom of Chess

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPad Pro (M2)
Playtime: 12 hours
Status: Completed all tutorials

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

658827710

$4.99 4+★4.5 31 reviews

Author : Trophy Games Development A/S

Pubish Date : Wed Jul 17 2013

Last Update Date : Wed Mar 11 2020

Support Languages : English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish

Genres :

Version 2.2.1Wed Mar 11 2020

Just a little update
Chess and Mate is the chess program for the whole family. You can learn the basics of chess with this app as well as adopt the tricks and intricacies of this popular strategy and board game.
THE CHESS APP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Prince Kaspar's castle has many rooms in which the individual chess pieces are introduced. Depending on how much prior knowledge you bring into the chess game, you can have every piece introduced to you at your own pace. Lots of exercises are at your fingertips in which you can directly apply what you've learned.
LEARN THE CHESS RULES WITH A DIDACTIC CONCEPT
In addition, you'll find all possible finesses and secrets in the big chess book in Prince Kaspar's library such as the pawn fork, the Italian gambit, or the scholar's mate. Do you know castling or the "en passant" move yet?
Naturally Prince Kaspar is ready to play a round of chess with you at any time. First you have to defeat him, then you're allowed to also play with Capt'n Black.
FEATURES
# Train yourself on chess rules in an unlimited amount of practice games
# Perfect for both beginners and pros thanks to many exercises and explanations
# Animated with care and fantasy filled game ambience
# Learn professional tricks and game tactics
# Multiplayer option - Play against other gamers
# Available on iPad and iPhone
SUPPORT
When you have questions or issues, please feel free to contact apps@tivola.de per email.
Are you a fan of Chess and Mate? Then follow us on Facebook and always be kept up-to-date: facebook.com/tivolamobile
Requires iOS 9.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Chess and Mate is the chess program for the whole family. You can learn the basics of chess with this app as well as adopt the tricks and intricacies of this popular strategy and board game.
THE CHESS APP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Prince Kaspar's castle has many rooms in which the individual chess pieces are introduced. Depending on how much prior knowledge you bring into the chess game, you can have every piece introduced to you at your own pace. Lots of exercises are at your fingertips in which you can directly apply what you've learned.
LEARN THE CHESS RULES WITH A DIDACTIC CONCEPT
In addition, you'll find all possible finesses and secrets in the big chess book in Prince Kaspar's library such as the pawn fork, the Italian gambit, or the scholar's mate. Do you know castling or the "en passant" move yet?
Naturally Prince Kaspar is ready to play a round of chess with you at any time. First you have to defeat him, then you're allowed to also play with Capt'n Black.
FEATURES
# Train yourself on chess rules in an unlimited amount of practice games
# Perfect for both beginners and pros thanks to many exercises and explanations
# Animated with care and fantasy filled game ambience
# Learn professional tricks and game tactics
# Multiplayer option - Play against other gamers
# Available on iPad and iPhone
SUPPORT
When you have questions or issues, please feel free to contact apps@tivola.de per email.
Are you a fan of Chess and Mate? Then follow us on Facebook and always be kept up-to-date: facebook.com/tivolamobile

Ratings & Reviews

4.5 out of 5 with 31 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Chess and Mate: Learn & Play is a comprehensive chess tutor designed specifically for children and beginners. Join Prince Kaspar in his castle to learn the movements of the pieces and the rules of the game through engaging mini-games and interactive lessons. From basic moves to complex strategies like castling and en passant, this app covers it all in a fun, story-driven environment. Perfect for schools and home learning!

Features

Child-friendly medieval story and characters

Step-by-step interactive chess lessons

Dozens of skill-building mini-games

Adjustable AI difficulty levels

High-quality graphics and professional voiceovers

Tips

Character Lessons

Start with the 'Castle Map.' Each room teaches you a new piece. Complete the mini-games in each room to collect trophies and unlock the final match against the Chess Master.

Promotion Videos

Checkmate Showdown | Official Announcement Trailer - YouTube

Gameplays

Practice Mode

Once you've learned the basics, use the practice mode to play against an AI that adjusts to your skill level. The app will highlight valid moves if you get stuck.