BlackBox Chess review: scores and evidence

A1 :3Importing your games (Chess.com, Lichess, PGN files)

https://blackboxchess.app/how-it-works — "Import a PGN file or connect your Lichess or Chess.com account"

A2 :3Automatic engine analysis of every game

https://blackboxchess.app/how-we-check — Stockfish at depth 8 (12 on paid plans), second pass at depth 14 beyond 0.6 pawn; weekly re-analysis of every new game (subscription)

A3 :3Recurring mistakes identified across all your games

https://blackboxchess.app/report/bc690916-3d6e-46dc-bdeb-9c9f80313059 — patterns named, counted ("25 occurrences in 21 games") and ranked by share of the pawn cost

A4 :3Types of mistakes covered (tactics, strategy, endgame, time…)

https://blackboxchess.app/report/bc690916-3d6e-46dc-bdeb-9c9f80313059 and /chess-mistakes — tactics (forks, pins), endgames (passed pawn), piece activity, king safety, opening; 12 published patterns

A5 :2Written explanation of each mistake

https://blackboxchess.app/report/bc690916-3d6e-46dc-bdeb-9c9f80313059 — "the position before move 39, where you played Rd2. That move cost you 5.4 pawns": move and cost quoted, no line explained

A6 :2Stated verification of the diagnoses (procedure, rates)

https://blackboxchess.app/how-we-check — ranking rules and thresholds published, one reference case recomputed (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20); no rate published

A7 :2Tracking each weakness over time

https://blackboxchess.app/subscribe — frequency of the #1 weakness "per 100 of your moves", week after week; only the #1 is tracked

A8 :2Comparison with players of the same rating

https://blackboxchess.app/report/bc690916-3d6e-46dc-bdeb-9c9f80313059 — advantage conversion rate compared with 1200-1399 players (a single indicator)

B1 :0Building a personal repertoire

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no repertoire

B2 :0Training the repertoire (drills, games)

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no repertoire training

B3 :0Spotting where you left your repertoire in your games

https://blackboxchess.app/report/bc690916-3d6e-46dc-bdeb-9c9f80313059 — opening deviations listed, with no player repertoire and no per-opening statistics

B4 :0Verification of the lines taught (engine, practice)

https://blackboxchess.app/faq — generated opening videos "not guaranteed error-free"

B5 :0Opening explorer and statistics

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no explorer

B6 :0Explanation of opening plans and ideas

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — personalised opening videos sold separately; no written explanation of plans observed

C1 :2Exercises drawn from your own games

https://blackboxchess.app/how-it-works — drills built from missed positions, a course targeted at the #1 mistake; no success rate per weakness

C2 :0Bank of tactical exercises (size, themes, rating)

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no puzzle bank ("instead of a random puzzle database")

C3 :3Endgame training

https://blackboxchess.app/subscribe — "Practice the exact endgames you misplayed against perfect tablebase play"

C4 :2Strategic and positional training

https://blackboxchess.app/report/bc690916-3d6e-46dc-bdeb-9c9f80313059 — "Train this position" on positional patterns (outposts, rook on the 7th, passive rook)

C5 :0Training defense and alertness

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no dedicated defensive exercises

C6 :0Training calculation and visualization

https://blackboxchess.app/ — nothing

C7 :0Difficulty matched to your real level

https://blackboxchess.app/ — the player’s own positions, with no difficulty rating

C8 :2Spaced repetition (named algorithm)

https://blackboxchess.app/subscribe — "Spaced repetition on your own mistakes"; algorithm not named

C9 :2Personalized training plan

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — daily drill taken from the player’s games, centred on the #1 mistake; no adjustable time budget

D1 :1What the free plan actually lets you do

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — free: 10 games analysed, #1 mistake named, no account

D2 :1Annual price of the full plan

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — $99/yr ≈ €91.08 ($12/month)

D3 :2Commercial transparency (price shown, trial, cancellation)

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — prices shown, free report without a card serving as the trial, 7-day refund on reports, cancellation through the billing portal; renewal terms not stated

D4 :0Number of paid tiers (how simple the offer is)

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — one-off $10 report, subscription, opening videos sold individually from $5

E1 :1Published evidence of effectiveness

https://blackboxchess.app/ — testimonials ("got back to 1290"); "2,400+ reports run"

E2 :2Chess verification of the content (positions, lines)

https://blackboxchess.app/subscribe — "Each drill is checked by Stockfish before you see it"

E3 :2Transparency of the method (algorithms, code)

https://blackboxchess.app/how-we-check — engine, depths and thresholds named

E4 :3Marketing claims that can be checked (no overselling)

https://blackboxchess.app/how-we-check and /faq — "does not estimate rating points", "10 games can surface a fluke", AI explanations "can be wrong"

F1 :1Courses organized by rating level

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — one course targeted at the #1 mistake, with no level

F2 :0Course authors named and titled

https://blackboxchess.app/ — authors not identified

F3 :3Content formats (text, video, interactive)

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — text (report, explanations), opening videos, interactive drills

F4 :1Published method of progression

https://blackboxchess.app/how-it-works — diagnosis, fixing the #1 mistake, re-measurement; no curriculum with milestones

F5 :2How often the content is updated

https://blackboxchess.app/changelog — entries dated 22 and 24 October 2026

G1 :0Playing humans online (pool, anti-cheating)

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no online play

G2 :0Realistic artificial opponents

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no computer opponent

G3 :2Replaying one specific position against the machine

https://blackboxchess.app/subscribe — the player’s misplayed endgames replayed against tablebases

G4 :0Tournaments and organized competition

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no tournaments

H1 :1Platforms available (web, iOS, Android, desktop)

https://blackboxchess.app/faq — "a free web tool"; no app

H2 :1User ratings and reviews (stores, press)

https://www.chess.com/blog/carameezy/i-paid-a-bot-to-judge-my-chess-so-you-dont-have-to — one positive third-party review (free access granted); no store rating

H3 :0Interface languages available

https://blackboxchess.app/ — English only

H4 :0Accessibility (keyboard, screen reader)

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no mention

H5 :0Offline use and known incidents

https://blackboxchess.app/ — web service, no status page

I1 :1Preparing for a named opponent

https://blackboxchess.app/faq — a report can be run on any Chess.com or Lichess username, with no repertoire or preparation

I2 :0Annotating and sharing games (studies)

https://blackboxchess.app/ — none

I3 :0Entering a game played at a club (photo, scoresheet)

https://blackboxchess.app/ — not possible

I4 :2Searching your games (filters, position)

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — colour, result and time-control filters on analysed games

J1 :0Access to human coaches

https://blackboxchess.app/ — no coach (human support only)

J2 :1Size and activity of the community

https://discord.gg/dkz7gz3Gtj — Discord server; activity not visible

J3 :1Tools for trainers, clubs and schools

https://blackboxchess.app/for-coaches — per-student profile; multi-student dashboard "in development", negotiated pricing

J4 :2Engagement mechanics (streaks, virtual currency, reminders)

https://blackboxchess.app/pricing — daily drill by email, no virtual currency

K1 :1Exporting your data (games, repertoire)

https://blackboxchess.app/privacy — access and deletion on request by email; report as PDF

K2 :1Protection of personal data (GDPR, hosting)

https://blackboxchess.app/privacy — GDPR cited, hosting location not stated (Supabase, Render, AWS), PostHog, Meta Pixel, Google tag

K3 :1Public API and source code

https://blackboxchess.app/ — PGN import, no API