Reviews of HIARCS Chess

By: Applied Computer Concepts Ltd. App

List of user reviews and ratings for HIARCS Chess

Total ratings

4.80 (Rating count: 197)

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Review summary

HIARCS Chess on iOS is praised for coaching tools, human-like adaptive play, hardware compatibility (Millennium e-boards), an intuitive UI, and good value. Common drawbacks are limited PGN navigation, customer-support concerns, and occasional stability issues such as crashes or freezes.

Pros

Coaching and training features that help you learn and improve (built-in tutor and guided practice).
Very human-like, adaptive play that mimics interacting with a real opponent.
Strong hardware integration, notably good compatibility with Millennium e-boards.
Intuitive, clear, and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use.
Good value for the price / affordable given features.

Cons

Limited PGN/database navigation controls (no easy next/previous game or smooth navigation within PGNs).
Customer support issues (reports of unresponsive or poor support).
Stability problems (crashes on some devices, freezes or needing restarts to proceed).

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 3.90

All time rating average: 4.80

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14% (7)

Date	Author	Comment
2025-10-02	Ra*****	It would be great to have a FEN clipboard/email import function. Back <~> Forward buttons, to navigate already open PGN.
It would be great to have a FEN clipboard/email import function. Back <~> Forward buttons, to navigate already open PGN.
2025-09-29	gn*****	Please add a ‘next game’ button to go to the next game in the current PGN database. The game interface is good enough, but going through games in a database is clunky. A ‘next’ button would make Hiarcs the only chess app I’d need.
Please add a ‘next game’ button to go to the next game in the current PGN database. The game interface is good enough, but going through games in a database is clunky. A ‘next’ button would make Hiarcs the only chess app I’d need.
2025-08-26	ol*****	If you are purchasing this product thinking you might get it for free once you purchase the PC/Mac version do not waste your money. The code does not work. Before purchasing product I contacted customer support involving another issue and have not received a reply. I am sure if I sent a message to customer service involving this issue I am sure the result will be the same. Customer service for Hiarcs prove me wrong.
If you are purchasing this product thinking you might get it for free once you purchase the PC/Mac version do not waste your money. The code does not work. Before purchasing product I contacted customer support involving another issue and have not received a reply. I am sure if I sent a message to customer service involving this issue I am sure the result will be the same. Customer service for Hiarcs prove me wrong.
2025-01-19	pl*****	This is a really great chess program, as far as I, an extremely casual and occasional player, can tell. If I was avid, if I wanted to improve my game dramatically, etc., this would probably be my go-to app. I am no longer willing to invest that many mental resources in a game, however, which makes HIARCS a bit more serious and bare-bones than I'd like. I like knowing that HIARCS can achieve an Elo rating of 3125 on my iPhone 13 Pro Max even though I'll never need it to be anywhere near that strong. For my purposes, though, I'd prefer a "friendlier" app, that I can adjust to move the pieces more slowly and humanlike which would help me keep up with the action without having to regularly step back a move or two to see what just happened; that will show captured pieces, as that's one of my most basic ways to quickly gauge how the game is going; and while I'm at it, my ideal app will not have a forbidding, evil-looking icon (HIARCS's icon is just about as creepy as an iPhone icon can be). If you're looking for pure chess-playing power in an app that has a fair chance of beating a world champion, HIARCS is for you. If you would prefer something friendlier and better suited to the casual player, Then I'd recommend chess(dot)com or a different app. 🙏🏻
This is a really great chess program, as far as I, an extremely casual and occasional player, can tell. If I was avid, if I wanted to improve my game dramatically, etc., this would probably be my go-to app. I am no longer willing to invest that many mental resources in a game, however, which makes HIARCS a bit more serious and bare-bones than I'd like. I like knowing that HIARCS can achieve an Elo rating of 3125 on my iPhone 13 Pro Max even though I'll never need it to be anywhere near that strong. For my purposes, though, I'd prefer a "friendlier" app, that I can adjust to move the pieces more slowly and humanlike which would help me keep up with the action without having to regularly step back a move or two to see what just happened; that will show captured pieces, as that's one of my most basic ways to quickly gauge how the game is going; and while I'm at it, my ideal app will not have a forbidding, evil-looking icon (HIARCS's icon is just about as creepy as an iPhone icon can be). If you're looking for pure chess-playing power in an app that has a fair chance of beating a world champion, HIARCS is for you. If you would prefer something friendlier and better suited to the casual player, Then I'd recommend chess(dot)com or a different app. 🙏🏻
2023-08-16	Ol*****	I’ve tried several chess apps over the years but this one is the best for me by far. The coaching has taken me forward from beginner and has given me the self confidence to continue learning and growing while having a great deal of fun along the way. All of this without intrusive tracking or ads. Try it, you’ll never need another one.
I’ve tried several chess apps over the years but this one is the best for me by far. The coaching has taken me forward from beginner and has given me the self confidence to continue learning and growing while having a great deal of fun along the way. All of this without intrusive tracking or ads. Try it, you’ll never need another one.
2023-07-02	tw*****	This chess app is fantastic, I plan to buy the desktop version soon. The adaptive rating makes it feel like you’re playing another real person, and it improves as you do. The only issue is the in-app animations, they flip the whole screen around and look super old and dated. Please fix this in the next update!
This chess app is fantastic, I plan to buy the desktop version soon. The adaptive rating makes it feel like you’re playing another real person, and it improves as you do. The only issue is the in-app animations, they flip the whole screen around and look super old and dated. Please fix this in the next update!
2023-01-09	fo*****	Very human like play. Works great with Millennium e-boards!
Very human like play. Works great with Millennium e-boards!
2022-12-25	Pa*****	I like the coaching features of this app.
I like the coaching features of this app.
2022-09-14	Ni*****	I now give 5 Stars. Dark mode is much improved. It’s nice to know that support DOES listen to its customers.
I now give 5 Stars. Dark mode is much improved. It’s nice to know that support DOES listen to its customers.
2022-09-02	Ch*****	I love to play chess but as busy as I am it can be hard to find a solid 30+ minute block to play uninterrupted. HIARCS adapts to my level in a way no other engine ever has, and I’ve tried a bunch of them. It is just like playing a human, although it does fall into patterns that you eventually get used to. This program scratches the itch until I have time to play OTB or online with a human.
I love to play chess but as busy as I am it can be hard to find a solid 30+ minute block to play uninterrupted. HIARCS adapts to my level in a way no other engine ever has, and I’ve tried a bunch of them. It is just like playing a human, although it does fall into patterns that you eventually get used to. This program scratches the itch until I have time to play OTB or online with a human.