Name: Learn with Forward Chess
Rating: 4.6 (75 reviews)
Author: Forward Chess

Wonderful

A wonderful app

Best chess reader

Allows engine analysis of positions and the ability to check what happens if you play something else. Also you can switch the move controls to the side of the screen you prefer. Could do with some tidying up of the analysis, bookmarks and so on. But as it stands it’s the best I’ve found, which is good because you can get books from other publishers on it. Store isn’t exactly cheap though.

Warning you can lose access to purchases

This app just worked for years but now asks for log in and does not recognise my email. Am unable to access my library of purchases!

Kept Crashing

Rubbish. Kept crashing everytime i opened it. Deleted

Buggy

It’s a nice app but there are … issues. Some of my purchases resist being filed into libraries (they just stay listed under ‘Books’ on the main page) and if I do try and drag them into a library, the app just crashes. It’s not clear why some books are like this but most are not (it may be the age of the individual purchases?). But it’s frustrating and it feels messy to have (eg) some games collections filed under ‘Games’ but others just sitting in the main menu. The app also freezes and closes suddenly on occasions. And the analysis engine sometimes doesn’t seem to recognise the possibility of castling more than one or two ply out. All in all, great when it works, but I always approach it with a degree of trepidation.

Not great tech support

Good app, unfortunately the tech support is quite poor. After reporting bugs months ago such as the always enabled auto scroll option, they didn't address the issue. Quite frustrating and disappointing, specially after spending so much money in their books.

Very Poor Engine

I do not know why, but the engine is weak on all my apple devices. E.g. In quiet positions it can be +1 on White’s move, then 0 on Black’s move, then +1 on White’s next move, and so on. This is a feature of chess programs from 30 years ago! Perhaps it is an internal configuration the programmer made? The Stockfish app is v strong on my apple devices, but the program is dreadful on Forward Chess. It ruins the experience as I can only rely on the engine for basic tactics. I need to waste time setting up the position elsewhere. Please enhance the program, or else you will be overtaken by Chessable!

Cannot download purchased books on new iPad

Jan 2021; I can open purchased books on my old iPad Mini, but not on my new iPad Air 3. I have deleted and reinstalled the app, but now cannot log in. It asks for, and rejects, the email address associated with my Apple account. How does one get in touch with the developers?

Excellent App

This, (and also the Gambit app), is an excellent and convenient way to extend your chess library if you’re getting short of shelf space. Also perfect for travelling of course.

Great way to read

I love how you can go over sidelines and return better than books

Chart	Category	Rank
Top Grossing	Ireland Books	19
Top Grossing	Türkiye Books	39
Top Grossing	Portugal Books	48
Top Grossing	Austria Books	93
Top Grossing	France Books	94

Learn with Forward Chess

Chess Books & Tactics Training

Description

In-Apps

Screenshots