Chessity review: scores and evidence
Chessity offers around 300-500 interactive lessons and 60,000 exercises organised into 18 diplomas, with an entry test, an ELO-style rating per exercise, replay of mistakes, in-house tournaments every half hour and a teacher area. The service neither imports nor analyses games the player has played elsewhere.
Read on August 30, 2026 from the service’s public pages — every score cites the page read.
Overall score
3.7/ 10
Rank
20/ 128
Languages
7
Listed price
Individual Premium €75.00/yr (annual price shown on chessity.com/en/prices; €6.25/mo × 12); monthly €7.75; App Store: Premium $69.99/yr ≈ €64, Family $129.99/yr ≈ €120.
What the service is
Chessity is published by Chessity B.V., a Dutch company based in Driebergen-Rijsenburg (https://www.chessity.com/en/privacy), founded in 2011 by Janton van Apeldoorn, a Candidate Master and IT consultant, according to the About page (https://www.chessity.com/en/about_us) and a blog post of 15 November 2016 telling the story behind the project (https://www.chessity.com/en/blog/1270/Chess_can_rescue_a_kid_from_academic_failure_the_story_behind_Chessity_). The service is a step-by-step learning method: over 500 interactive lessons and 60,000 exercises sorted by lesson with an ELO-style rating, 18 diplomas with an entry test, a virtual teacher, "Chessto", who hands out missions and tips, replay of mistakes, in-house tournaments every half hour, a kids' mode and a teacher area (class management, homework, progress tracking). It comes in seven interface languages, on the web and as an iOS/Android app. Business model (https://www.chessity.com/en/prices; https://www.chessity.com/faq/25/Accounts---families): 21-day trial with no card, then a free version limited to the Pawn level and tournaments; Premium at €7.75/month, €21 per quarter or €75/year, with a family account of up to 5 profiles at no extra cost. Chessity neither imports nor analyses games played elsewhere, and provides no human coach, no database explorer and no engine analysis.
Activity history
- 2026-0414 April 2026: iOS version 3.0.159 — updated Family page, visual refinements, smoother learning journey; the Android app is updated on 11 April (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chessity/id6468482613; https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=chessity.com).
- 2025-1017 October 2025: iOS version 3.0.133 adds school access — "students can now use the Chessity app in class" (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chessity/id6468482613).
- 2025-0314 March 2025: iOS version 3.0.51, "coaching has leveled up", personalised tips from the virtual coach (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chessity/id6468482613).
- 2024-0429 April 2024: version 1.0.5, the oldest entry in the mobile app’s App Store history; 3.0.5 on 30 September 2024 brings chess robots into the learning flow (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chessity/id6468482613).
- 2020-0716 July 2020: "160 new chess lessons in the black levels", extending the advanced levels at users' request (https://www.chessity.com/en/blog).
- 2020-0324 March 2020: "Let all students learn chess for free with Chessity", free access for pupils during the coronavirus school closures (https://www.chessity.com/en/blog).
- 2018-10September-October 2018: "Release News" series no. 1 to 4 — new version simplifying teaching (15 September), expanded Chessto robot (18 September), diplomas (4 October), "fully adaptive" Chessto (9 October) (https://www.chessity.com/en/blog).
- 20112011: Chessity is founded by Janton van Apeldoorn (https://www.chessity.com/en/about_us).
The scores, evidence by evidence
Every score points to the page read and the fact found there. A fact documented nowhere is not credited: document it, then write to us.
APersonalized diagnosis
1.3A1 :0Importing your games (Chess.com, Lichess, PGN files)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — no PGN/Chess.com/Lichess import mentioned.
A2 :0Automatic engine analysis of every game
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — no documented engine analysis of games.
A3 :1Recurring mistakes identified across all your games
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play: rating per skill; no named mistake
A4 :0Types of mistakes covered (tactics, strategy, endgame, time…)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity: no typology of mistakes
A5 :1Written explanation of each mistake
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity: Chessto "analyses mistakes" after an exam, in general terms
A6 :0Stated verification of the diagnoses (procedure, rates)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity — no reliability information.
A7 :1Tracking each weakness over time
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — internal ELO rating tracked; no evolution per weakness.
A8 :0Comparison with players of the same rating
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — no comparison with a rating bracket.
BOpenings
2.8B1 :1Building a personal repertoire
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — opening principles in lesson series; no repertoire editor.
B2 :2Training the repertoire (drills, games)
https://www.chessity.com/en/prices — interactive lessons (play the right move) on openings; no SRS or game on the repertoire.
B3 :0Spotting where you left your repertoire in your games
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — no deviation detection.
B4 :0Verification of the lines taught (engine, practice)
https://www.chessity.com/en/about — no information on line verification.
B5 :0Opening explorer and statistics
https://www.chessity.com/en/prices — no database explorer.
B6 :2Explanation of opening plans and ideas
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — opening principles explained in lessons; no traps/model games proven.
CTargeted training
4.1C1 :0Exercises drawn from your own games
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — exercises from lessons only, never from the player’s games.
C2 :2Bank of tactical exercises (size, themes, rating)
https://www.chessity.com/en/prices — "60,000 exercises" sorted by lesson with an ELO rating; no public vote.
C3 :2Endgame training
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — "Endgame Mastery": the 100 most important endgames, played interactively.
C4 :1Strategic and positional training
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play: strategy lessons; no exercise on master games observed
C5 :0Training defense and alertness
https://www.chessity.com/en/prices: no named defensive exercise
C6 :1Training calculation and visualization
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — vision games (Frog Race, Space Race); no documented progressive calculation programme.
C7 :2Difficulty matched to your real level
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — rating computed with "standard tables used by FIDE", each puzzle is an opponent.
C8 :1Spaced repetition (named algorithm)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play: "Practicing mistakes" replays failed problems; algorithm not named
C9 :2Personalized training plan
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity: missions and lesson packs handed out by Chessto; no time budget
DPrice and value
7.5D1 :2What the free plan actually lets you do
https://www.chessity.com/faq/25/Accounts---families — 21-day trial, then freemium: Pawn lessons + tournaments.
D2 :2Annual price of the full plan
https://www.chessity.com/en/prices — "1 year €6.25/month, €75.00" = €75/yr.
D3 :2Commercial transparency (price shown, trial, cancellation)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/25/Accounts---families — prices shown, 21-day trial without a card, online cancellation; https://www.chessity.com/en/terms-and-conditions: "non-refundable".
D4 :3Number of paid tiers (how simple the offer is)
https://www.chessity.com/en/prices: a single Premium tier (3 durations, family option)
EEvidence and transparency
3.3E1 :1Published evidence of effectiveness
https://www.chessity.com/en/about — "positive and often remarkable results"; testimonials without method.
E2 :0Chess verification of the content (positions, lines)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity — no information on content verification.
E3 :1Transparency of the method (algorithms, code)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — "FIDE tables" rating; "AI customizes" not detailed (en/prices).
E4 :2Marketing claims that can be checked (no overselling)
https://www.chessity.com/ — factual wording; no quantified promise of gains.
FContent and method
4.7F1 :2Courses organized by rating level
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity — ~300 lessons, 18 diplomas "absolute beginner to advanced"; ELO brackets not published.
F2 :0Course authors named and titled
https://www.chessity.com/en/about — no named author; anonymous "chess trainers"; "a grandmaster" unnamed (FAQ).
F3 :2Content formats (text, video, interactive)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity — short texts + interactive exercises; no video mentioned.
F4 :2Published method of progression
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity — diploma path with entry test and missions; not adapted to a diagnosis of games.
F5 :1How often the content is updated
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chessity/id6468482613 — app v3.0.159 dated 14/04/2026; no monthly content changelog.
GPlaying and practice
4.2G1 :1Playing humans online (pool, anti-cheating)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — Blitz 10 min/Rapid 20 min against other users; pool not published.
G2 :2Realistic artificial opponents
https://www.chessity.com/faq/32/App — "Chessto Game": bots that give advice, adaptive robots.
G3 :0Replaying one specific position against the machine
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — no practice from an entered position.
G4 :2Tournaments and organized competition
https://www.chessity.com/faq/24/Tournaments — daily 25-minute tournaments; no leagues or titled events.
HExperience and accessibility
4.7H1 :3Platforms available (web, iOS, Android, desktop)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/32/App — web + synchronised iOS/Android app (App Store id6468482613).
H2 :0User ratings and reviews (stores, press)
https://itunes.apple.com/search?term=chessity&entity=software — App Store 3.0/5 from 2 reviews; no third-party review consulted.
H3 :2Interface languages available
https://www.chessity.com/ — footer switcher: en, nl, de, fr, sv, es, cs (7 locale paths); localised notation of the content not observed
H4 :1Accessibility (keyboard, screen reader)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity — distraction-free "Classic" mode, short texts; no keyboard/screen reader announced.
H5 :1Offline use and known incidents
https://www.chessity.com/faq/32/App — offline not documented; no incident reported on the pages consulted.
IPreparation and study
0.0I1 :0Preparing for a named opponent
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play: no lookup of a named player
I2 :0Annotating and sharing games (studies)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play: no annotation
I3 :0Entering a game played at a club (photo, scoresheet)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity: no entry of an external game
I4 :0Searching your games (filters, position)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play: no search within your games
JHuman coaching and community
5.0J1 :0Access to human coaches
https://www.chessity.com/en/prices — no human coach offered; external teachers only.
J2 :2Size and activity of the community
https://www.chessity.com/faq/24/Tournaments — daily tournaments every 30 min from 9 am to 9 pm; headcount not published.
J3 :2Tools for trainers, clubs and schools
https://www.chessity.com/en/group-prices — "class management, homework, progress tracking", labels, notes per pupil; no weakness diagnosis.
J4 :2Engagement mechanics (streaks, virtual currency, reminders)
https://www.chessity.com/faq/25/Accounts---families — diplomas, rating, tournaments; no virtual currency or nudges reported.
KPersonal data and interoperability
3.3K1 :1Exporting your data (games, repertoire)
https://www.chessity.com/en/privacy — right to portability in a "structured, machine-readable format" on request to contact@chessity.com.
K2 :2Protection of personal data (GDPR, hosting)
https://www.chessity.com/en/privacy — GDPR, no sale, Strato BV (EU) + ActiveCampaign (US), Google Analytics/Clarity.
K3 :0Public API and source code
https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play — no API, no PGN import/export.
Also, outside the grid
Features found that no criterion measures. They do not count towards the score.
- Kids' mode (Playful) and parental controls
- Fun variants (Gong Chess, Frog Race…)
- 18 printable diplomas
- Spoken explanations for non-readers
- Family account with 5 profiles
Sources consulted
- https://www.chessity.com/
- https://www.chessity.com/en/about_us
- https://www.chessity.com/en/about
- https://www.chessity.com/en/privacy
- https://www.chessity.com/en/prices
- https://www.chessity.com/en/blog
- https://www.chessity.com/en/blog/1270/Chess_can_rescue_a_kid_from_academic_failure_the_story_behind_Chessity_
- https://www.chessity.com/faq/25/Accounts---families
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chessity/id6468482613
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=chessity.com
- https://www.chessity.com/faq/2/Learn-train-and-play
- https://www.chessity.com/faq/6/Chessity
- https://www.chessity.com/en/terms-and-conditions
- https://www.chessity.com/faq/32/App
- https://www.chessity.com/faq/24/Tournaments
- https://www.chessity.com/en/group-prices
Services with a similar profile
The three services whose category profile is closest — a distance over the eleven scores, computed, never chosen.