I'm looking for a decent chess app. I already have chess with friends which is laggy and I downloaded the offical chess.com app but it's slow to update moves. I need a chess app that let's me play with friends online. Suggestions?
According to the description, Chess Elite has 9 different themes. You may want to look into Chess With Friends also. It has in game chat features. Edit: Sheesh... But the reviews for it are terrible. lol.
You should try Glaurung Chess. It has a very strong chess engine - and it is free http://itunes.apple.com/app/glaurung-chess/id305558605?mt=8
If you want to play one move at a time, you have 2 out of the 3 apps, and I think its unreasonable to expect Chess Elite to satisfy you when the other 2 do not. Chess.com is not "laggy" you likely simply live in an area where internet isnt great with AT&T. You can try Chess Elite, it has a pleasing simplicity lacking in Chess.Com, but I doubt you will find it less laggy. If you want to play live, you need to get yourself an account at the free internet chess server (FICS) and then get an app that lets you play on FICS. I have HandyChess. I dont really find it worth playing unless connected to wifi, as 3g is not reliable enough where I live, I have lost games that way. Dont delete the chess.com app, someday it may let you play live, as that is available on the chess.com website.
Chess Elite has different themes and coins. The latest version comes with a 'Chat' feature too. You have a Grandmaster - Natalia Pogonina, playing Chess Elite as well
As far as I know, Handy Chess is the only iPhone app that has online server play (server-only, in fact) - not correspondence chess. It uses FICS, as someone mentioned above. Just as with the java gui's, you can issue matches at any time control and rating level. The main drawback with handy chess chess is that it doesn't allow move by move playback. It also lacks the "seek graph" and match confirmation option. It's pretty barebones, but fills the live server-play niche.