Chess Folk

I’ve always wanted to get into chess but apps like Chess.com or Lichess felt too competitive and overwhelming. Chess Folk changed that. The guided lessons are super clear with great animated moves, and the Premium Game Review actually explains why my move was a mistake or a missed chance in plain English. I've been tracking my in-game Elo chart and watching it slowly go up against the lower-tier AI opponents is so rewarding. I'm finally understanding openings!

Picked this up for quick sessions during my daily commute, and it works flawlessly offline. The UI is incredibly clean, and switching between the minimal 2D board and the cozy 3D view is seamless. It’s the ultimate "chill out after work" game. Creating local profiles is a nice touch too, my partner and I share the Deck and pass it back and forth for local games. A must-have if you want a cozy, pick-up-and-play chess experience.

I never thought I’d care about the "lore" of computer chess opponents, but here we are. Hunting down specific rivals by their nationality and Elo to build my own narrative rivalry in a Swiss-system tournament is oddly addictive. The illustrated venues look beautiful and add so much flavor to the matches. It really feels less like a sterile simulator and more like an RPG where your only weapon is a chessboard.

Finally, a chess game that feels relaxing instead of stressful. The simulated tournaments and visual venues are so charming. Perfect game to play on the side while listening to a podcast

Finally, a chess game for introverts! As someone who loves chess but absolutely hates the toxic environment, smurfs, and stress of online matchmaking, Chess Folk is a godsend. The AI doesn’t just play at a certain Elo; the bots actually feel human. They make mistakes, overextend in attacks, or clamp down on defense just like real people. Playing through the custom offline tournaments feels like being part of a living, breathing local chess club. Best part? No internet connection required, no waiting, and no one spamming emotes at me. 10/10.

Bought this to teach my kids how to play, and it’s been fantastic. The fictional player profiles give the AI so much personality that my son treats them like actual boss fights. The "Chess Set Workshop" is also a brilliant feature—we spent the entire weekend importing custom artwork and building our own wacky piece sets to play with. It's a wholesome, ad-free, well-crafted package that brought chess back into our living room.