How we compare chess extensions
We rank extensions by how well they help you learn chess without putting your browser or your chess account at risk. We make ChessHelper (chesshelper.ai), so this page also explains how we keep that from bending the list.
What we check
| Criterion | What we look at | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose and fair-play fit | Is the extension built for study, review or utility, or for help during live games? | Store listing, developer site, Chess.com and Lichess rules |
| Permissions | Site access and API permissions; anything broader than the job needs | Published manifest file of the current version |
| Data use | What the developer declares it collects | Privacy section of the Chrome Web Store listing |
| Maintenance | Version, last update date, changelog | Store listing Details section |
| Usefulness | Which study task it serves and how directly | Feature descriptions on the listing and developer site |
| Price | Free, freemium or paid; plan limits | Developer's pricing page, as listed in November 2026 |
What we did and did not do
On November 12, 2026 we read each extension's Chrome Web Store listing and downloaded its published package to read the permissions in its manifest file. We compared published features and pricing. We did not run long-term tests or collect user ratings of our own, and we do not quote store star ratings, since they swing with small numbers of reviews. User counts shown are what the store displayed that day.
Chess examples on the site were checked with chess.js for legality and with Stockfish for evaluations, at the depths stated next to each one.
What we exclude
Extensions whose main purpose is suggesting moves during live games against people are excluded, whatever their quality. So are extensions requesting access to all websites without a clear need, and extensions no longer on the Chrome Web Store.
How we handle owning ChessHelper
- ChessHelper is ranked first for one stated job, learning and analysis at your level, and other extensions are named as better for other jobs.
- ChessHelper's card uses the same format and sources as every other card: store listing, manifest, published pricing.
- Its weaknesses are published in the review and on the home page.
- Every page discloses the relationship in the header and footer.
Updates
We recheck listings and permissions when we update the site, and immediately when a reader reports a change. Every page shows its update date. Report changes to [email protected].