Lichess

Our take on Lichess from Appgk

I can see why Lichess wins people over quickly: it makes getting into a chess game feel straightforward, then leaves room to take the game seriously. After spending time with it, I’d describe it less as a flashy pastime and more as a practical chess companion—one that can serve a quick match today and still be useful when you want to study your mistakes later. That lasting value matters more to me than a burst of novelty.

Why the first week feels inviting

Lichess is a free board game from lichess.org, built around chess rather than a collection of unrelated distractions. The basic appeal is easy to understand: open it when you want to play, and you are already close to the part that matters—the board and the decisions. You do not have to learn a complicated theme or manage a sprawling set of game modes before making your first move.

That directness makes it comfortable for two very different players. If you already know the rules, you can use it as a place to find games and keep your skills active. If you are still learning, it gives you a way to meet the game through repeated play rather than treating chess as a puzzle you must solve before you are allowed to participate. The app’s open-source identity also gives it a distinct feel: it is associated with a chess-focused community and purpose, not just a generic mobile game wrapper.

The first few sessions can be especially satisfying because chess supplies its own variety. A quiet opening can turn into a tactical scramble; a game that looks lost can still contain a resource you missed. Lichess does not need to dress that up with elaborate presentation. For me, the useful test is whether I can get absorbed in the position without the app constantly competing for attention, and this is where its focused approach makes sense.

It is also easy to fit into ordinary gaps. I might have a few minutes while waiting for someone or winding down after work, and a short chess session gives that time a clear shape: focus, make decisions, then review how they went. That is a better fit than a game that demands a long uninterrupted session, although a chess match can still run longer than expected when both players keep finding ways to stay in it.

The game is listed for Everyone and is free, which removes a common barrier for families and curious beginners. It has an average rating of 3.8 from around 15 thousand ratings, with roughly 500 written reviews, and more than a million installs. Those figures suggest a sizeable audience, but they do not tell me whether its particular style suits you. The more important question is whether you want a chess tool that stays focused on the game itself.

From casual play to a useful routine

The bigger test comes after the first week. Many mobile games are compelling at first because everything is unfamiliar; once the novelty fades, they have little to offer beyond repeating the same loop. Chess is different when you use it deliberately. A match can expose one specific weakness—missing a threat, moving too quickly, or failing to notice that a seemingly active piece is poorly placed—and that gives the next session a purpose.

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One practical habit is to stop after a game and identify a single turning point before immediately starting another. Instead of thinking, “I played badly,” ask which move changed the position and what you were trying to achieve at the time. That small pause makes play more educational without turning every session into homework. If you keep returning to the same type of mistake, you have a concrete theme to watch for in your next few games.

Another useful approach is to separate play from practice. On a busy day, I would use Lichess for one game and leave it there. When I have more attention to spare, I would revisit a confusing position or work through a more focused session. Mixing every goal into every visit can make chess feel like a chore; giving each session a simple purpose makes it easier to keep the habit going.

For someone learning with a friend, the app can also provide a convenient shared setting: you can discuss a position after playing rather than relying on memory alone. That is particularly useful for beginners who know a move felt wrong but cannot explain why. Talk through the choices you considered, not just the final result. The point is not to prove who is better; it is to make the board easier to read next time.

The current version is 0.29.1, and the game was released on May 16, 2024. It supports Android 8.0 and later. For a player deciding whether it can become a regular part of their routine, those practical details are more relevant than promises of endless content: it is available without a purchase, and it is intended for a broad age range.

What makes it easier—or harder—to keep installed

The maintenance burden is low in the everyday sense: chess does not require you to keep up with a fictional world, a sequence of seasonal events, or a growing roster just to understand what is happening. The rules remain stable, and your own goals can change. One month you might simply play for enjoyment; later, you might focus on avoiding blunders or learning to think a move ahead. That flexibility is a good reason to leave it on your phone.

There is a different kind of maintenance, though: keeping your attention in good shape. Chess rewards concentration, and opening the app automatically whenever you have a spare moment can turn a relaxing pursuit into a string of rushed games. I would set a modest intention before starting—one thoughtful match, or a brief practice session—and stop when I notice I am moving without considering the board. This is a more useful safeguard than trying to force a daily streak.

A specific workflow that helps is to review only the positions you genuinely remember struggling with. Trying to scrutinize every move can overwhelm a newer player and blur the lesson. Pick the moment when your plan stopped making sense, write down what you thought was happening, and compare that with what the board actually allowed. This turns analysis into a question-and-answer process rather than a hunt for a perfect game.

Another trade-off is that a chess app can make improvement feel measurable while leaving enjoyment behind. If every defeat becomes evidence that you are not progressing, the experience gets tiring. I find it healthier to treat the result as one part of the session and notice a smaller success too: spotting a threat, resisting an impulsive move, or choosing a plan you can explain. That approach keeps the game worthwhile even when the score disappoints.

Screenshots

The open-source character is a meaningful point of difference for people who care about how software is made and supported. At the same time, anyone expecting a highly polished, story-led mobile game may find the experience too spare. Lichess is for people who want chess to be the main event. If you prefer a guided campaign, animated rewards, or a casual game with little need for concentration, another kind of board-game app will likely suit you better.

When chess starts to feel like work

The main source of fatigue is not a lack of things to do; it is the mental demand of the game itself. Chess asks you to hold possibilities in mind, notice what your opponent threatens, and accept that a confident-looking move may be a mistake. After a demanding day, that can feel refreshing—or simply too much. I would not recommend using it as an automatic relaxation choice if what you really want is something you can play without thinking.

There is also a social and competitive edge to playing other people. That can make each move feel alive, but it can bring pressure when you are tired or still learning. If a loss leaves you irritated, take a break rather than immediately trying to win the next game back. A short reset is more likely to preserve your interest than turning a casual session into a test of patience.

Compared with many mainstream mobile games, Lichess asks for more from the player and gives less in the way of spectacle. Compared with chess apps that emphasize guided lessons or a polished beginner journey, its appeal is the focused, open chess setting rather than a heavily staged course. Which is preferable depends on your aim: choose this when you want to play chess regularly and learn through positions; look elsewhere if you need extensive hand-holding or a broad entertainment package around the board.

For a complete beginner, I would treat the first sessions as orientation, not a verdict on whether you are “good at chess.” Learn how the pieces move, play at a comfortable pace, and focus on noticing what your opponent’s last move changed. If you already play, the more valuable question is whether you will use the app to make your games more intentional instead of simply accumulating them.

A lasting place on the phone

My long-term verdict is that Lichess earns its space when chess is something you want to return to, not just sample once. Its strongest quality is the way it can support a simple recurring habit: play, notice a decision, and bring that lesson into the next game. It remains useful without needing to reinvent itself for you, because the challenge comes from the board and from your own changing understanding.

I would recommend it to players who value a free, focused chess experience and are happy to learn through practice. I would hesitate to recommend it to someone who wants a guided entertainment app, dislikes competitive uncertainty, or has no interest in giving a game sustained attention. The modest presentation is part of the appeal, but it is also a real limitation for people who need more structure or visual excitement to stay engaged.

So my advice is simple: install it if you want a dependable place to play chess, then give yourself a reason to return that is smaller than “become a great player.” One thoughtful game, one position worth understanding, or one calm session with a friend is enough. If that rhythm feels satisfying after the novelty wears off, Lichess is not just taking up space—it is supporting a habit you can keep shaping for yourself.

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