Chess Openings Explorer Pro
Study & improve your openings
Ratings
Age
4+
Category
Puzzle
Languages
English
Sun Apr 12 2020
Improved dark mode support
Chess Openings Explorer Pro is the ultimate companion for serious chess players looking to master the initial phase of the game. This app provides a comprehensive, searchable database of chess openings, featuring win/loss statistics from millions of high-level games. Users can follow branching paths of theory, learn the names of obscure variations, and analyze the best responses to any move. Whether you are preparing for a tournament or just want to understand the 'why' behind the moves, this tool provides the data-driven insights needed to improve your ELO.
Dinsun Expert Review
Our Expert Score
As a chess coach, I find Chess Openings Explorer Pro to be an invaluable reference tool rather than a 'game' in the traditional sense. It's essentially a digitized encyclopedia of the first dozen moves of any serious chess game. The interface is clean, and the database is expansive, covering everything from the common Ruy Lopez to obscure gambits you'll rarely see in club play.
The real value here is the statistical data. Seeing the win/loss percentages for specific moves at the Grandmaster level helps you understand why certain lines are preferred. It doesn't have the flashy tutorials of some newer chess apps, but for a player looking to build a serious opening repertoire, this is a professional-grade tool that fits in your pocket.
Features
Massive opening database
Grandmaster win/loss statistics
Searchable ECO codes
Interactive move tree
Clean, ad-free interface
Tips & Walkthrough
Make a move on the board to see all possible responses. The list below the board will show the names of the openings and the success rate for White, Black, and Draws.
You can search for specific openings by name (e.g., 'Sicilian Defense') to jump straight to the starting position of that variation.
Gameplays
The app tracks the popularity and effectiveness of every move, allowing players to distinguish between 'book moves' and blunders.
Screenshot
Q&A
This app is primarily a database explorer. While it shows statistical evaluations, it is designed for studying theory rather than engine-based calculation.
Ratings & Reviews
Best app to practice openings
Thu Aug 01 2024 George M. A.Awesome interface! You can instantly see which opening moves result in game wins, and conveniently practice the numerous variations. One of my favorite features is that you can see and replay games by chess masters using each opening. I’ve been playing chess for decades, and this app helped me “get” the openings in a few weeks better than any other training or coaching over the years! Well done to the developers! Hope they keep the app going.
Fine app for exploring openings
Sun Mar 21 2021 david_kreisbergMy favorite features of this app are being able to see the relative strength of moves will looking at an opening and being able to easily access and replay grandmaster games using openings and their variations. The Arkon app is also quite good, but it is annoying that it doesn’t support landscape mode on an iPad.
Simple and Sweet
Thu Mar 11 2021 Full stepThis inexpensive program is simple but effective! Enter an opening line and get a list of strong GM games that followed the line. See how strong GM’s won, lost and drew starting from that position.
I love this app, but current version...
Mon Sep 10 2018 MrPisanelloFor some reason when I go to “Games with this position” and choose any of the games, they are all games in the wrong position! This was working about a week ago, I think something went wrong in the last update. Again, thank you for your work on this app, and I’m hoping you can address this bug fix soon — happy to review again once fixed!
Opening suggester
Sun Feb 07 2021 Kneem1Everything about the app is good, but there should be an option to suggest an opening to be put into the app. I don’t know if it’s missing any other opening, but it is missing the kloosterboer gambit.
Very helpful!
Wed Sep 25 2019 Nomad16I have to admit that I am finding this app very useful in helping me learn chess openings. Makes learn fun by giving you the options and letting you explore!
Continueing a line
Wed Aug 22 2018 CubNobleI like the app, but if I’m doing opening prep for a game, why does it show there are 100+ games in the database then just stop showing the breakdown to the point where I cant move any pieces. I’ve resorted to using other apps for tournament prep.
Not an intuitive app!
Wed Nov 25 2020 Vulcan38019Needs some instructions if a beginner or intermediate level player is to benefit. Confusing to this user. Not nearly as helpful as some conventional chess books of various openings. Would not recommend without major revisions.
