Frequently asked questions
What is MentoChess?
MentoChess is a personal chess coach app for Android and the web. It reads your games from Chess.com, Lichess or PGN files from tournaments, checks every move with a chess engine, finds the mistakes you repeat and trains you on them with puzzles and lessons built from your own positions.
Is MentoChess free?
Yes. Game analysis, your chess report, puzzles, lessons and training are free, with no ads. You do not need an account to start.
How does MentoChess analyse my chess games?
It downloads your recent games from Chess.com or Lichess (or reads a PGN file) and checks every move with the Stockfish engine running on your own device. It then groups your mistakes into habits, for example missed forks, back-rank weaknesses or lost endgames, and shows you which ones cost you the most points.
Which chess sites does MentoChess work with?
Chess.com and Lichess, by username, and any game in PGN format, such as over-the-board tournament games. It also understands FIDE and national ratings for over-the-board players.
Do I need to sign in?
No. You can link a Chess.com or Lichess username and use the app without an account. Signing in with Google or email is optional and unlocks the AI coach conversations and syncing between your phone and mentochess.com.
What is the AI chess coach?
After a mistake, the coach asks what you were thinking in your own words, then explains what really happened on the board and which habit caused it. Your answers help it find the thinking error behind repeated mistakes, not just the wrong move.
Can I share my chess report?
Yes. You can share a summary of your chess report as a link or a PDF, for example with a coach or a parent. The full move-by-move analysis stays in the app.
Is my data private?
Your games are analysed on your device. MentoChess does not sell data or show ads. If you sign in, your name and email are used only for your account and sync. You can delete your account at any time at mentochess.com/delete-account.html.
How many chess puzzles should I solve a day?
For most players 10 to 20 puzzles a day at the right difficulty, solved slowly and checked before moving, beats hundreds of fast ones. Choose puzzles slightly above your rating and focus on the tactics you miss in your own games.
What rating is a good chess rating?
Below 1000 is a beginner, 1000–1400 a casual club player, 1400–1800 a strong club player, 1800–2000 an expert-level amateur (Class A), and 2200+ national master strength. Online ratings on Chess.com and Lichess usually differ from FIDE ratings.
How long does it take to get better at chess?
With regular slow games, game review and daily tactics, most adult beginners can gain 200–400 rating points in the first year. Progress slows as you climb, and the players who improve fastest are the ones who fix the mistakes they repeat.