Play against Stockfish at your level
For iPhone, iPad and Mac. No account.
Playing a full game against an engine is good practice: no waiting for an opponent, no pressure from a rating, and a report afterwards that shows where the game turned. ChessWOW lets you play Stockfish 19 on your iPhone, iPad or Mac at five levels, with or without a clock, and from any position you like. Everything runs offline.
Five levels
| Level | Engine limit | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Elo 800 | Makes deliberate mistakes. Good for learning the basics. |
| Club player | Elo 1600 | Solid, but misses tactics. |
| Master | Elo 2200 | Tough, but beatable with a plan. |
| Grandmaster | Elo 2700 | Hardly any mistakes, precise endgames. |
| Full strength | no limit | All processor cores, no limit. |
The Elo values are Stockfish's own strength limiter. They are not the same scale as Lichess, Chess.com or your club rating, so do not read them as a promise that a level plays exactly like a human with that number. Use them as steps.
How to start a game in four steps
- Step 1
Open "Play" and choose Stockfish as your opponent.
- Step 2
Pick a level from the five above.
- Step 3
Choose your colour: White, Black or random.
- Step 4
Choose a clock or none. Time controls include 5+3, 10+0, 15+10 and 30+0 (minutes per side plus seconds added per move). Without a clock, Stockfish takes a short, fixed time per move.
Choosing the right level
A level is right when you win some games and lose some. If you win almost every game, move up one level; if you lose almost every game, move down. Stay longer at the level just above your comfort zone: those games teach you the most. When you move up, expect to lose a few games first. That is normal and not a sign that the step was wrong.
Help while you learn, or none at all
- Hint. Shows a suggested move when you are stuck.
- Takeback. Undo your last move and try something else.
- Blunder warning. Before you play a move that hangs a piece, ChessWOW asks whether you are sure. You can still play it.
When you want a real test, switch the blunder warning off when you set up the game and do not ask for hints. After the game, the report and the analysis board are available as usual.
- Blunder warningWarns before a move that hangs a pieceOn
Play from any position
You do not have to start from the opening. Any position on an analysis board can be played out against Stockfish: a scanned diagram, a position from the board editor or a critical moment from one of your own games. This is one of the best ways to practise technique. Set up a position where you are better and try to win it against the Grandmaster level, or defend a worse position against the Club player. Unfinished games are saved, and you can continue them later.
After the game
Every game you play lands in your library with a game report: accuracy, the evaluation graph and the critical moments explained in words. Practise the moments you missed until you find the right move without help.
Questions and answers
Does playing against Stockfish work offline?
Yes. The engine runs on your device. Games, hints and reports work without an internet connection.
How strong is the Beginner level?
It is limited to Elo 800 on Stockfish's own scale and makes deliberate mistakes, which makes it suitable for people who are learning.
Are the Elo levels the same as my online rating?
No. They come from Stockfish's strength limiter and are a different scale from Lichess, Chess.com or club ratings.
Can I take back moves?
Yes. Takebacks are available in games against Stockfish. For a real test, switch off the blunder warning and play without hints or takebacks.
Can I play against Stockfish from a position I scanned?
Yes. Any position on the analysis board can be played out against any of the five levels.
Continue with
Find your level.
Five Stockfish levels, offline on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Download free