Article illustration 1

The wait is over for chess enthusiasts and developers alike. Lichess, the charity-run, entirely open-source chess platform, has officially launched its mobile app for Android and iOS, marking a significant milestone after a year of public beta testing. Now available on Google Play and the App Store, the app represents a major overhaul from its predecessor, leveraging Google's Flutter framework to deliver a smoother, more responsive experience. As noted in the official announcement, this release is a testament to the collaborative efforts of open-source contributors and the support of Lichess patrons, underscoring how community-driven projects can rival commercial offerings in quality and innovation.

A Community-Built Evolution

Lichess's journey to this official release involved extensive collaboration. Key contributors like @Pranav (puzzles and analysis), @julien (broadcasts), and @Tom (tournaments and studies), alongside full-time developer @veloce, drove the project forward. Feedback from beta testers and Discord users was instrumental in refining the app, which now boasts stability and core functionality—though not all web features have been ported yet. For a platform that operates as a charity, relying solely on donations, this achievement showcases the scalability of open-source development. As the team stated:

"Achieving this result was made possible thanks to the generous support of Lichess Patrons, and the amazing work of our open-source community."

Why Flutter Makes the Difference

At the heart of the new app is Flutter, the open-source UI toolkit from Google. Lichess opted for a full rewrite using Flutter to overcome the limitations of the old app, which suffered from an overloaded design and sluggish performance. Flutter's near-native execution and rich widget library enable a consistent, minimalist interface across both Android (8.0+) and iOS (13.0+). Users can customize their home screens, choose from diverse board themes and piece sets, and enjoy buttery-smooth interactions—whether analyzing games with Stockfish 17.1 or racing through Puzzle Storm challenges. This technical pivot not only elevates user experience but also serves as a case study for developers considering cross-platform solutions for performance-critical applications.

Features and Future Roadmap

The app already packs a punch with essential tools:
- Play: Real-time/correspondence chess, arena tournaments, and friend challenges.
- Study: Offline puzzles, Puzzle Storm/Streak modes, opening explorers, and position editors.
- Watch: Live broadcasts and Lichess TV streams.
- Customization: 55 language translations, background themes, and chess clocks for over-the-board games.

However, gaps remain: non-standard variants (like Chess960) and offline computer play are absent, with the latter having no estimated release date. The team's immediate focus is on stability, bug fixes, and accessibility improvements, tracked via GitHub milestones. For developers, this phased approach highlights the realities of open-source maintenance—balancing user expectations with resource constraints.

This release isn't just an app update; it's a win for accessible, ad-free technology. By prioritizing Flutter's efficiency and community input, Lichess sets a benchmark for how passion-driven projects can democratize high-quality tools. As chess continues to surge in popularity, this app ensures that learning and playing remain free—and open—for all.