Why We're Building a Free Alternative to $200+ Chess Software
If you've ever explored serious chess analysis tools, you know the pain — ChessBase starts at $199, and that's just the base version. As chess enthusiasts and developers, we asked ourselves:
Why should powerful chess tools be locked behind expensive paywalls?
That question led to Pawn Appétit — a free, open-source chess application built to rival commercial software, without the price tag.
What Makes Pawn Appétit Different?
100% Free and Open Source
No subscriptions. No "freemium" traps. No hidden limits.
Download it, use it, keep it — forever. The entire source code is public on GitHub, so you know exactly what's under the hood.
Professional-Grade Features
- Smart Analysis – Import games from lichess.org or chess.com and analyze with any UCI engine
- Repertoire Training – Build and memorize your openings with spaced repetition
- Position Search – Instantly find recurring patterns in your game database
- Engine Management – Easily configure Stockfish or any custom engine
- Customizable UI – Choose light or dark themes, or design your own
Built for Speed and Simplicity
Modern chess software shouldn't feel like it's from 2005.
Pawn Appétit delivers a clean, responsive interface powered by modern tech — fast, intuitive, and distraction-free.
Cross-Platform & Private
Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
All your data stays local — no cloud sync, no telemetry, no tracking. You own your data, period.
Who Is It For?
Whether you're:
- A competitive player reviewing tournament games
- A casual player trying to improve
- A coach managing multiple students
- Or simply a chess lover who values great tools
Pawn Appétit gives you professional-grade analysis without the professional price.
The Journey So Far
Pawn Appétit began as a fork of En Croissant, but we've expanded it with new features, performance upgrades, and a refined user experience.
The community has been amazing — we now support 15+ languages, and our Discord is full of passionate players helping shape the app's future.
What's Next?
We're actively working on:
- 🌐 Web version
- 📱 Mobile app
- ☁️ Optional cloud sync
Try It Today
Grab the latest release for Windows, macOS, or Linux on our GitHub page.
Want to get involved? Join our Discord community or contribute on GitHub.
The Bottom Line
Professional chess tools don't need to cost hundreds of dollars.
We believe great software can be free, open, and built by the community — and that's exactly what Pawn Appétit stands for.
Have you tried Pawn Appétit yet? What feature would you love to see next? Let us know below!
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Top comments (1)
This is awesome! Can't wait to see the mobile app! 🚀