ChessDirSubmit

Chess Position Trainer vs Forward Chess

Veteran flash-card repertoire trainer for desktop. Interactive chess ebook reader with embedded engine.

 Chess Position TrainerForward Chess
PricingFreeFree
PlatformsWindowsWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Audienceintermediate, advanced, expertintermediate, advanced, expert
LanguagesEN, DEEN, ES, FR, DE, IT, PT
Features
Play online
Play bots
Local pass-and-play
Tactics puzzles
Opening trainer
Endgame trainer
Spaced repetition
Video lessons
Live coaching
Engine analysis
Board scanner (OCR)
Opening repertoire
Cloud sync
Offline mode
Kid-safe
Tournaments
Rating system
Correspondence chess
Chess variants
Study & share
AI coach
Streaming-ready
Game database

Pick Chess Position Trainer if…

  • Invented the repertoire flash-card concept
  • Organizes repertoire as folders, not games
  • Fully offline — your repertoire is yours
  • Deep feature set for power users
Full review →

Pick Forward Chess if…

  • 800+ titles from top chess publishers
  • Stockfish embedded for instant move checking
  • Excellent guess-the-move and position trainer
  • Owns-forever model, no subscription lock-in
Full review →

FAQ

Is Chess Position Trainer better than Forward Chess?
Neither is strictly "better" — they serve different priorities. Chess Position Trainer excels at: Invented the repertoire flash-card concept. Forward Chess excels at: 800+ titles from top chess publishers. Pick based on the job you want done.
Is Chess Position Trainer free?
Chess Position Trainer has a free tier. Paid plans unlock: Free version available; paid Pro license unlocks full feature set (exact price varies; check site)..
Is Forward Chess free?
Forward Chess has a free tier. Paid plans unlock: App is free to install with free sample chapters; books sold individually, typically $10–$30. ChessPublishing subscription available $19.99–$99.99/year..
On what platforms are Chess Position Trainer and Forward Chess available?
Chess Position Trainer runs on Windows. Forward Chess runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Who should use Chess Position Trainer vs Forward Chess?
Chess Position Trainer is aimed at intermediate, advanced, expert. Forward Chess targets intermediate, advanced, expert. Our take: try the one whose audience description fits you.