The Take Take Take app is one of the best chess apps for following live chess games and news.
One major highlight is that the app was built to make chess more accessible for casual fans by providing exclusive access to players and tournament coverage, similar to other global sporting coverage.
At its core, the Take Take Take App promises simplicity of use, primarily catering to casual fans who may find traditional chess websites too complex.
This article is a comprehensive review of what the app offers.
History
The Take Take Take app is a product of Fantasy Chess, a company co-founded by Magnus Carlsen. It aims to revolutionize how chess fans engage with the game. Fantasy Chess launched the app for public use on October 25, 2024, and is available on Android and Apple mobile devices.
Before building Take Take Take, Fantasy Chess had previously developed chess apps, such as the now-discontinued Chess Prophet, a prediction app for Titled Tuesday with monthly and yearly prizes.
Mission
From launch day, their mission was clear: to make chess the next big spectator sport and contribute to the growth of online chess.
Features
The Take Take Take app offers the following features, making it one of the best chess websites or apps for every chess player:
- Following favorite players.
- Receiving live game notifications.
- Chess board with live commentary.
- Tracking Players and Tournament Statistics.
- Viewing event information.
- Tournament Calendar.
- Participating in the Guess the Move interactive feature.
Follow Favorite Players
When you launch the app for the first time, you are prompted to choose the players you would like to follow. This feature allows users to track their favorite players and receive live updates on games alongside other news related to the player picked.
Live Game Notification
This feature is the most useful. The ability to receive notifications for players even when you are not aware they have a game is beneficial for staying up to date with your favorite players. This little feature makes it one of the best apps for following chess.
Chessboard with Live Commentary
In addition to showing games on board, Take Take Take provides annotations and commentary, which adds another layer to understanding the ideas and strategy behind the game watched live.
Tracking Players and Tournament Statistics
On the Take Take Take App, it is very easy to view tournament standings and see player’s points and performance. Tracking player points and performance enhances the overall tournament experience for users, providing a deeper engagement with the tournament and games.
Viewing Event Information
Another helpful feature of the Take Take Take app is the ability to access events and information about ongoing tournaments. You can read the details about rounds, playing schedules, participating players, locations, and other information. Viewing tournament standings on the app is also straightforward.
Access Tournament Calendar
Similarly, Take Take Take stands out because it offers a unique feature: the ability to view a calendar that highlights upcoming tournaments. This feature helps with scheduling and following tournament broadcasts.
Additionally, the app includes a section highlighting major upcoming tournaments.
Guess The Move
Guess-the-Move is an interactive feature in which fans can predict the player’s next moves and compete to become the top guesser. This feature is interesting because the leaderboard system of top guessers makes fan interactions engaging and more competitive as fans play along with their favorite players.
Cost
The app is free to download and use on Android and iPhone. There are no in-app purchases.
Notable Pros
At the time of review, we tested version 1.2.5 of the Android App and enjoyed a couple of its features;
- Ease of Use: The app’s modern user interface features intuitive navigation, vibrant colors, and user-friendly design elements that ensure easy and enjoyable use for all users.
- Tournament and game updates: Users can effortlessly access a wide range of tournaments, receive real-time updates, and track games without relying on external streaming services, providing a seamless and immersive chess experience within the app.
- Game commentary is a great addition. Although it doesn’t compare to live commentators, it’s better than seeing single moves like “Be5.” The addition of extra wording makes it interesting to follow the games.
Notable Cons
Although Take Take Take has many positive aspects, there are areas we thought could be improved on.
- Bugs: The app experience is sometimes buggy, possibly because of a rushed launch, giving the impression that it could have been better developed before release. As an illustration, in the Tata Steel tournament 2025 coverage, game results for Vincent Keymer vs. Vladimir Fedoseev were recorded correctly as a loss for Keymer on 2700chess and other broadcast platforms while it was otherwise on Take Take Take. The standings were also affected in this case but were subsequently corrected. Little bugs like that exist around the place, and hopefully, they will be worked on in-app updates.
- You can only follow a handful of players: As an app aiming to be the go-to for chess updates, it is essential for fans to have the option to choose from a wide range of top players to follow. However, the list of players on the app is quite limited at the moment and doesn’t even include all the world’s top 50.
- Major chess tournaments are not covered: Certain chess opens are not covered on the app, and there are gaps of days in broadcasting tournaments despite ongoing events worldwide. For example, the 2024 European Cup wasn’t covered on the app, which is a significant event.
- Player Card is not detailed: For instance, the app did not mention that Ju Wenjun, the female world chess champion, holds her title, which is a significant oversight. The same goes for several players.
- Doesn’t have a proper analysis board: If there’s one thing chess players are known for, it’s the fact that they typically analyze games and check variations and sub-variations of moves and tactics while watching games on a live board. Given the app’s current state, it’s challenging to do these. The evaluation bar, for example, lacks the depth that other broadcast platforms like Lichess have.
Conclusion
Take Take Take indeed bridges the gap between casual fans and the professional world of chess. The app offers real-time updates, expert insights, and an engaging user experience, making chess more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, Take Take Take provides a front-row seat to the world of chess.
This review has clarified what to expect from the app and why it’s on the way to becoming one of the best chess apps for following live chess. For more insights about the app, join the Discord community or share your opinion on the new Take Take Take app on Reddit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who owns the Take Take Take App?
The Take Take Take App is co-founded by five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. CEO Mats Andre Kristiansen leads the Fantasy Chess company.
Is the Take Take Take App a part of Chess.com?
No, the Take Take Take App is an independent platform. However, it has partnered with Chess.com for events like the Champions Chess Tour Finals.
How can I use the Take Take Take App?
The app is available for download on iOS and Android devices. Once installed, users can follow their favorite players, receive live game notifications, and access expert analysis and commentary.
Is the Take Take Take App free?
Yes, the Take Take Take App is free to download and use, and there are no in-app purchases.