Chess.com Premium Review – Worth it?

Chess.com is the go-to hub for chess enthusiasts to boost their skills, challenge opponents from a vast and diverse community of over 100 million members around the world, and enjoy friendly competitions with friends and family.

In my article about Chess.com, I explained in depth why it stands as the premier online chess platform. If you fancy yourself as an avid chess player or want to elevate your chess game, the platform offers a range of premium plans to enhance your chess experience and take it to the next level.

In this comprehensive review, we explore the three membership levels: the Gold membership, Platinum membership, and the prestigious Diamond membership. We will discuss the features and benefits of each of these plans, comparing them with the free basic account.

By the end of this article, you will be equipped with all the information you need to decide whether upgrading is worth it, and if so, which membership plan best aligns with your chess goals.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that at NO additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.

Basic Account: The Gateway to Chess Excellence

The basic account is the free version available for all members upon signup. These are the main features basic members get access to:

Lessons

As a basic member, you have access to the free “New to Chess” section, plus 1 additional lesson of your choice per week. The “New to Chess” guide consists of 20 lessons that cover the fundamentals of the game.

Games

With a free account, you can play unlimited chess in all time settings: rapid, blitz, and bullet.

Puzzles

With a basic account, you have access to the daily puzzle as well as 3 practice puzzles per day.

Analysis

With a free account, you get to review and analyze 1 game per day.

Opening Library and Explorer

As a basic member, you can look use the opening library and explorer to look at the first 4 moves of any opening.

Endgames

With a free account, you can practice endgames with access to only the first position in each section.

While these features are an excellent starting point for beginners, it’s worth noting that the basic account comes with limitations, including the presence of ads and restricted access to many lessons, puzzles, and game analysis tools.

Of course, the basic account’s primary benefit is its accessibility; it’s a great way to get started with your chess journey without any financial requirement. However, for players seeking continuous lessons to improve, ad-free gameplay, and a broader set of features, considering an upgrade is a very logical step.

Gold Membership: Elevate Your Chess Game

The Gold membership is a substantial upgrade from the basic account, offering everything a basic account gets in addition to:

• No ads
• Unlimited access to lessons
• Unlimited puzzles
• Unlimited video library access
• Full use of opening explorer: Look any number of moves deep into any opening
• All endgame positions unlocked
• Unlimited access to bots

The ad-free gameplay and unlimited access to lessons and puzzles is suitable for players who are passionate about chess and want to explore its depths.

The Gold membership elevates your chess experience by providing a more immersive and streamlined environment. The removal of ads and access to a wider range of resources will help you achieve consistent chess development.

Platinum Membership: Your Chess Odyssey

The Platinum membership is designed for chess aficionados who want to dive deep into the game. It includes everything from the Gold membership, plus unlimited game review and analysis, which is my favorite membership feature of them all.

Of course, I chose a game that I won for demonstration.

The Platinum membership provides a rich and immersive chess experience. The addition of unlimited interactive game analysis allows you to dissect your games, explore openings, and refine your strategies. This has been by far the most helpful tool for me in my chess journey.

Diamond Membership: The Pinnacle of Chess Excellence

The Diamond membership is the apex of Chess.com’s premium offerings. It encompasses all the features of the Platinum membership while adding even more exclusive perks:

• Unlimited game review plus coach explanations for every move
• Access to the “Insights” feature to see stats and data for your games
• Custom analysis setting to set up the analysis parameters as you wish

The Diamond Membership is a symbol of excellence and exclusivity in the world of chess, tailored for the most dedicated and discerning chess enthusiasts.

Here is a short video by Chess.com summarizing the key features of all three Premium plans:

Comparison: Key Features, Pricing, and Limitations

Here is a summary of the main benefits of each premium plan and a cost comparison:

Keep in mind that there are slight pricing changes depending on the country you live in.

I recommend you use the 7-day free premium membership trial to get a feel for the experience:

If you want to try the Premium Membership, you can enjoy a free trial for 7 days. You can cancel at any time and if you buy it, you have 30 days in which you can get a full refund if you are not 100 percent satisfied.”

The Chess.com team

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) What is the common ground between the three membership types?

The three membership levels offer an ad-free, immersive experience with unlimited access to learning and training resources such as lessons, puzzles, bots, instructive videos, openings, and endgames.

Also, all premium plans include daily puzzle explanations and custom flair icons that you can to add your account for a touch of personalization.

Q2) Which membership should I sign up for?

The Gold membership is the most cost-effective option, as it is the cheapest tier and unlocks most learning resources. The only important feature that sets the Platinum membership apart from the Gold membership is the unlimited game reviews.

However, if you are a serious chess player and aspire to be at the pinnacle of chess excellence, the Diamond membership, with its exclusive expert tools, is the top choice.

Personally, I have opted for the Platinum membership. I find the unlimited reviews extremely beneficial, but one coach explanation per day is enough for me, so I haven’t considered a Diamond membership. Ultimately, selecting the right premium plan depends on your passion for the game and how much you’re willing to pay.

The Verdict

Overall, a premium membership is definitely worth it for those who seek an in-depth journey into chess, as it offers a rich toolset for continuous and consistent improvement. The value for money is great.

However, if you only play chess sporadically from time to time, the basic account offers a gentle introduction and may be all you need.

If you have any questions about the premium plans Chess.com offers, or any other topic, please feel free to leave me a comment. I’ll be more than happy to have a chat with you.