The best first chess apps for ages 4 to 7

For a 4 to 6 year old, the best first step into chess is play with the pieces and the board before the full game. We rank Jupo World first for that first step, Story Time Chess first away from the screen, and ChessKid first for children ready to play real games against other kids.

How we chose

• Age fit: can a 4 to 7 year old use it without much help?
• The right first step: stories and one piece at a time before full games.
• Safety: no ads, and no free chat with strangers.
• Kept up to date: recent updates on the store page.
• Price: what you pay for what you get.

The list

1. Jupo World

Learning games in a castle world, built with Judit Polgár on her Chess Palace method. Chess pieces are characters, and some games use their moves as puzzles, alongside memory, logic and movement games. It is a first step into chess ideas, not a chess course.

• Best for: ages 4 to 6, before a child is ready for the full game.
• Watch out for: children who already play chess will want ChessKid or a club.

2. Story Time Chess

A board game for ages 3 and up from Thinking Cup Games that teaches each piece through a story and a character, with a story board on one side and a normal chessboard on the other.

• Best for: learning chess together away from the screen.
• Watch out for: it needs a grown-up to read and play along.

3. ChessKid

Chess.com's platform for children, with video lessons, puzzles and games against the computer or other kids. It is ad-free, with no free chat: children chat in games only with their parents, and make friends only with parental permission.

• Best for: children who know the moves and want to play real games.
• Watch out for: a paid Gold membership unlocks most lessons. It is aimed at older beginners more than at 4 year olds.

4. Chess Adventure for Kids

Also from Chess.com: animated characters teach chess across 6 quests and more than 200 mini challenges.

• Best for: a story-led start on the full rules.
• Watch out for: the store page shows its last update in 2022.

5. Magnus Kingdom of Chess

Made with Magnus Carlsen's Play Magnus team and DragonBox: six worlds that teach each piece and simple checkmates, for children from about 5. One price, no ads, no in-app purchases.

• Best for: a puzzle-game route into chess.
• Watch out for: the store page shows its last update in 2019, so check it runs on your device.

6. Dinosaur Chess

Lessons, mini games and games against animated dinosaurs. One price, no ads, no in-app purchases.

• Best for: dinosaur fans.
• Watch out for: the store page shows its last update in 2013.

Questions parents ask

Can a 4 year old learn chess on an app?

A 4 year old can learn the board and how a few pieces move, especially through stories and games. Most children are ready for full games from about 6 or 7.

Is ChessKid safe for young children?

ChessKid states it is ad-free, has no free chat, gives children auto-generated usernames and lets parents control friends. Children can play live games against other kids.

Should my child learn chess on an app or a board?

Both work. A board with a grown-up teaches turn-taking and handling a loss face to face; an app adds patience, hints and practice when no one is free to play.