Report updated Mar 26, 2026
Magnus Trainer - Train Chess
v1.19.16Chess players of all levels, from complete beginners learning the fundamentals to advanced players looking to sharpen their tactics and endgame strategy through expert-led training.
What Is Magnus Trainer - Train Chess?
Launched Nov 13, 2016
Updated Apr 2021
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
Media Gallery
Key Features
250+ interactive chess lessons and courses designed by Magnus Carlsen and his team of Grandmasters.
Bite-sized mini-games with multiple levels to reinforce chess fundamentals, tactics, and endgame strategies.
Detailed statistics and insights into user performance and progress over time.
Mini-games range from beginner to advanced levels to accommodate all skill sets.
Premium benefit allowing uninterrupted gameplay and access to exclusive bonus levels.
Recent User Sentiment iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate effective learning content and engaging gamification, but report frequent app crashes and lack of developer support.”
What Users Love
This is probably the most instructive chess app there is.
The learning journey is unique and commendable.
The minigames are a fun, unique, and very helpful way to improve.
The exercises are fun and interactive.
Pain Points
The app keeps getting stuck every couple of minutes and crashes too.
It constantly crashes. It's a great app as far as the content goes but you can't experience the content when it's ALWAYS CRASHING.
I’d open a support case but the link provided goes to a generic Zendesk page saying “this page doesn’t exist”.
Are you guys going to keep support of the app? It's an amazing app but it's filled with bugs.
98% of the lessons cost money. its just a cash grab.
80% or so of the content is locked behind a payed membership.
High confidence · 99 reviews available
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-value pedagogical content curated by a World Champion.
- Strong brand recognition and association with Magnus Carlsen.
- Highly effective gamification mechanics that drive user engagement.
Cons
- Severe technical instability and frequent app crashes.
- Inaccessible or broken customer support channels.
- Perceived abandonment by the development team.
Market Outlook
Growth Opportunities
- Launch a stable, well-supported competitor to capture churned users.
- Offer a more balanced free-to-play tier to reduce paywall friction.
- Implement community-driven features to increase retention.
Market Threats
- Established competitors like Chess.com and Lichess offer superior stability.
- Declining brand trust due to lack of maintenance.
- Potential for negative reviews to permanently damage acquisition.
Key Takeaways
Magnus Trainer - Train Chess is a divisive games app that is available. With a 4.1/5 rating from 21.6K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate effective learning content, though frequent app crashes remains a common concern.
Best for: Chess players of all levels, from complete beginners learning the fundamentals to advanced players looking to sharpen their tactics and endgame strategy through expert-led training.
App Details & Pricing
Model: subscription
Uses a 'freemium' model that gates advanced educational content and quality-of-life features (infinite lives) behind a subscription to monetize long-term learners.
iOS Version
1.19.16
Android Version
A2.5.6
Release Date
Nov 13, 2016
iOS Price
Free
Android Price
Free
Developer
Chess.com