Best Chess Software and Online Resources for Training: Improve Your Game Today!

Chess is a game that requires practice and dedication to improve. One of the best ways to get better at chess is by using software and online resources designed specifically for training purposes. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best chess software and online resources available for training.

1. Chess.com

Chess.com is one of the most popular online platforms for chess players of all levels. It was founded in 2007 by Erik Allebest and Jay Severson, and since then it has grown to become a comprehensive platform that offers a wide range of features and resources for chess players.

One of the key features of Chess.com is its extensive library of instructional videos, interactive lessons, and puzzles covering all aspects of the game. These resources are created by top chess coaches and players, including Grandmasters like Hikaru Nakamura, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Wesley So.

In addition to the instructional materials, Chess.com also offers a variety of tools to help players improve their game. The platform includes a tactics trainer, where players can solve puzzles and improve their tactical skills, as well as a chess mentor program that provides personalized training and coaching.

For players who want to play online, Chess.com offers a variety of options. There are daily, live, and correspondence games available, as well as tournaments and challenges. The platform also includes a community forum where players can connect with other chess enthusiasts and discuss strategy, tactics, and other chess-related topics.

Chess.com also offers a number of premium features and resources, such as advanced game analysis, access to live streams of top-level chess tournaments, and personalized training plans. These features are available with a Chess.com membership, which can be purchased on a monthly or yearly basis.

Overall, Chess.com is a comprehensive platform that offers a wide range of resources and features for chess players of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics of the game, or an advanced player looking to improve your skills and compete at a higher level, Chess.com has something to offer.

2. Chessable

Chessable is an online platform that offers a unique approach to chess training. Founded in 2015 by David Kramaley and John Bartholomew, the platform is based on the principles of spaced repetition and gamification, which have been shown to be effective learning strategies.

One of the key features of Chessable is its extensive library of courses and training materials, created by top chess coaches and players. These courses are presented in a structured and interactive format, with a focus on developing specific skills and understanding key concepts.

The platform also uses a spaced repetition algorithm to help users remember and retain the information they’ve learned. The algorithm adapts to the user’s individual learning style and progress, presenting them with review exercises at optimal intervals to reinforce their knowledge.

In addition to the courses and training materials, Chessable also includes a number of gamification features that make learning chess more engaging and fun. For example, users can earn badges and rewards for completing lessons and solving puzzles, and can compete against other users in leaderboards and challenges.

Chessable also offers a variety of tools to help users track their progress and analyze their games. The platform includes a game viewer that allows users to import and analyze their own games, as well as a built-in engine that can be used for analysis and training.

Overall, Chessable is a unique and effective platform for chess training. Its focus on spaced repetition and gamification, combined with high-quality courses and training materials, make it a valuable resource for chess players of all levels. The platform is available on desktop and mobile devices, and offers both free and paid membership options.

3. Lichess

Lichess is a free and open-source online chess platform that was launched in 2010 by Thibault Duplessis. It is a non-profit organization that provides chess players around the world with a variety of resources and tools to play and improve their game.

One of the key features of Lichess is its online chess playing platform. It allows players to play with others around the world in real-time or correspondence-style games. The platform includes a variety of time controls and game modes, including bullet, blitz, and classical, as well as variants like Chess960 and Crazyhouse.

In addition to playing games, Lichess offers a number of other resources and tools to help players improve their game. These include a tactics trainer that provides puzzles for players to solve and improve their tactical skills, as well as a computer analysis feature that allows players to analyze their games and learn from their mistakes.

Lichess also includes a variety of features that promote fair play and discourage cheating, such as anti-cheating algorithms and a user-reporting system. The platform is constantly updated and improved, with new features and resources added regularly.

One of the unique aspects of Lichess is its open-source nature. The platform is built and maintained by a community of developers and volunteers, and all of its code is freely available for anyone to use and modify. This allows for greater transparency and collaboration, and helps to ensure that Lichess remains a free and accessible resource for all chess players.

Overall, Lichess is a comprehensive and community-driven platform that provides chess players with a variety of resources and tools to play and improve their game. Its focus on fair play, open-source development, and constant improvement make it a valuable resource for chess players of all levels.

4. ChessTempo

ChessTempo is an online platform that offers a variety of chess training resources and tools, with a particular focus on tactics training. Founded in 2007, the platform has become a popular destination for chess players around the world who are looking to improve their game.

One of the key features of ChessTempo is its tactics trainer. The trainer provides a selection of puzzles for players to solve, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to grandmaster. The puzzles are designed to improve players’ tactical skills, and the trainer includes a variety of tools to help users analyze their performance and track their progress.

In addition to the tactics trainer, ChessTempo also includes a database of chess games, which users can search and analyze to improve their game. The database includes millions of games from top players and tournaments, and users can search by player, tournament, opening, and other criteria.

ChessTempo also includes a variety of other resources and tools, such as an endgame trainer, a chess opening explorer, and a chess problem solver. The platform is constantly updated and improved, with new features and resources added regularly.

One of the unique aspects of ChessTempo is its community-driven nature. The platform is built and maintained by a community of chess enthusiasts, who contribute to the site’s development and provide feedback and support to other users.

Overall, ChessTempo is a valuable resource for chess players of all levels, offering a variety of tools and resources to improve their game. Its focus on tactics training and community-driven development make it a popular destination for chess enthusiasts around the world.

5. Chessbase

Chessbase is a software company that specializes in chess database management and analysis. Founded in 1986, the company has become a leading provider of chess software and online resources for players of all levels.

One of the key products offered by Chessbase is the Chessbase software, which allows users to manage and analyze chess games and databases. The software includes a variety of features, such as a game database with millions of games, a powerful search function, and advanced analysis tools. Chessbase is used by professional players, coaches, and enthusiasts around the world to improve their game and prepare for competition.

In addition to its software products, Chessbase also offers a variety of online resources, including articles, videos, and training courses. These resources cover a wide range of topics, such as openings, tactics, and endgames, and are designed to help players improve their game and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in chess.

Chessbase has also organized a number of high-profile chess tournaments, such as the ChessBase India Online Blitz Chess Festival and the ChessBase Christmas Open. These events have attracted some of the best chess players in the world and have helped to promote the growth and development of the game.

Overall, Chessbase is a valuable resource for chess players of all levels, offering a wide range of software products and online resources to help improve their game. Its focus on database management and analysis, as well as its commitment to organizing high-quality tournaments and events, have made it a popular destination for chess enthusiasts around the world.

6. ChessKid

ChessKid is an online platform that provides resources and tools for children to learn and play chess in a safe and fun environment. The platform was launched in 2012 by the creators of Chess.com and has since become a popular destination for young chess players around the world.

One of the key features of ChessKid is its interactive lessons and puzzles, which are designed to teach children the fundamentals of chess in an engaging and interactive way. The platform includes a variety of lessons, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, that cover topics such as openings, tactics, and endgames.

In addition to its lessons and puzzles, ChessKid also includes a variety of other resources and tools, such as a game explorer that allows children to search and analyze games, and a chess engine that provides hints and analysis during games. The platform also includes a social component, allowing children to connect with other young chess players from around the world and compete in tournaments and other events.

One of the unique aspects of ChessKid is its focus on safety and privacy. The platform is designed to be a safe and secure environment for children to learn and play chess, with strict policies in place to protect their privacy and prevent inappropriate behavior.

Overall, ChessKid is a valuable resource for young chess players, providing a fun and interactive way to learn and improve their game. Its focus on safety and privacy, as well as its engaging and interactive lessons and puzzles, have made it a popular destination for children and parents alike.

7. Tactics Trainer

Tactics Trainer is a chess training tool that is designed to improve a player’s tactical skills. The tool is available on many different platforms, including online websites, mobile apps, and desktop software.

The idea behind Tactics Trainer is simple: players are presented with a series of chess puzzles, each with a unique objective or problem to solve. The puzzles typically involve finding the best move or series of moves in a given position, with the goal of either winning material, checkmating the opponent, or obtaining some other strategic advantage.

The puzzles are typically sorted by difficulty level, with easier puzzles at the beginning and more difficult puzzles as the player progresses. As the player solves more puzzles, their rating or score may increase, reflecting their progress and improvement.

Tactics Trainer is a popular tool among chess players of all levels, as tactical skills are crucial for success in the game. The tool can be used to improve a player’s calculation ability, pattern recognition, and overall strategic thinking. Many chess coaches and trainers also use Tactics Trainer as part of their training regimen, as it provides a focused and structured way to improve a player’s tactical abilities.

8. CT-ART 6.0

CT-ART 6.0 is a popular chess software program designed to help players improve their tactical skills. The program offers over 1200 exercises, including pins, forks, and discovered attacks, aimed at developing the player’s ability to recognize and solve different types of chess puzzles. The exercises are categorized based on difficulty level, ranging from beginner to advanced, making it suitable for players of all skill levels.

One of the standout features of CT-ART 6.0 is its built-in engine, which provides hints and feedback to help players improve their game. This feature can be particularly useful for beginners who are still developing their tactical abilities. Additionally, the program allows users to create their own exercises, providing a personalized learning experience and the opportunity to challenge oneself in new ways.

Although CT-ART 6.0 is not a free program, it is widely regarded as one of the best chess software programs available for improving tactical skills. With consistent practice and dedication, players can use CT-ART 6.0 to enhance their tactical abilities and become more competitive chess players.

9. Chess Position Trainer

Chess Position Trainer is a software program designed to help chess players create and organize their own training materials. It was created by Stefan Renzewitz and first released in 2005.

The program allows users to input and organize their own chess positions and games, making it easy to create custom training exercises and opening repertoires. The positions can be organized into chapters and subchapters, and the program provides a variety of tools to help users analyze and study the positions in depth.

One of the key features of Chess Position Trainer is its ability to create and manage opening repertoires. Users can input their own opening lines and variations, as well as annotations and analysis. The program provides a variety of tools to help users study their openings, including a tree view to visualize the different variations and a quiz mode to test your knowledge.

Another useful feature of Chess Position Trainer is its ability to generate training exercises based on the user’s own positions. The program can create random quizzes and training sessions based on the positions you’ve input, helping you to reinforce your knowledge and improve your chess skills.

Overall, Chess Position Trainer is a powerful tool for chess players who want to create and organize their own training materials. It’s particularly useful for those who want to develop their own opening repertoires or focus on specific aspects of their game. The program is available for Windows and Mac, and a free trial version is available for download from the Chess Position Trainer website.

10. Chess Openings Explorer

The Chess Openings Explorer is a tool that helps players study and analyze different chess openings. The tool is available on many different platforms, including online websites, mobile apps, and desktop software.

The idea behind the Chess Openings Explorer is to provide players with a comprehensive database of opening variations and move orders. The tool allows users to search and browse different openings, view games played with those openings, and analyze variations and positions.

One of the key features of the Chess Openings Explorer is the ability to create and save opening repertoires. Players can create customized opening repertoires for themselves or for their students, and the tool will automatically track and analyze the player’s progress in those openings.

The Chess Openings Explorer is a valuable tool for players of all levels, as studying openings is an important part of improving one’s chess game. By studying different opening variations and understanding the strategic ideas behind them, players can improve their understanding of the game and develop stronger and more effective opening repertoires.

Overall, the Chess Openings Explorer is a useful resource for chess players who are looking to improve their understanding and mastery of chess openings. Whether used for personal study or as part of a training program, the tool provides a wealth of information and resources for players to explore and analyze.

11. Chess Tactics Pro

Chess Tactics Pro is a chess training app that is designed to help players improve their tactical skills. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and offers a variety of features and resources to help players of all levels improve their game.

One of the key features of Chess Tactics Pro is its tactics trainer. The trainer offers a selection of puzzles for players to solve, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to advanced. The puzzles are designed to improve players’ tactical skills and include a variety of different types of problems, such as fork, pin, skewer, and more.

The app also includes a database of chess games, which users can search and analyze to improve their game. The database includes games from top players and tournaments, and users can search by player, tournament, opening, and other criteria.

In addition to the tactics trainer and game database, Chess Tactics Pro also includes a variety of other resources and tools, such as an opening explorer, endgame trainer, and chess puzzle solver. The app is constantly updated and improved, with new features and resources added regularly.

One of the unique aspects of Chess Tactics Pro is its social features. The app allows users to connect with other players and share their progress and achievements. Users can also participate in tournaments and challenges, competing against other players from around the world.

Overall, Chess Tactics Pro is a valuable resource for chess players of all levels. Its focus on tactics training and social features make it a popular destination for chess enthusiasts looking to improve their game and connect with other players.

In conclusion, chess is a game that requires both skill and strategy, and with the right tools and resources, you can improve your game significantly. The software and online resources mentioned in this article are among the best available and provide players with an opportunity to develop their skills, analyze games, and learn from the best players in the world.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, the resources discussed in this article can help you take your game to the next level. From chess engines to training platforms, there is a wide range of options available to suit every player’s needs.

If you are serious about improving your game and want to take advantage of the latest technology and online resources, then you should consider using one or more of the tools mentioned in this article. With consistent practice and dedication, you can become a formidable opponent and enjoy the game of chess even more.