ChessbookAuthor: FM Vidar Grahn
Chessbook is one of my favorite chess websites for a plethora of reasons. At its core, it’s a tool that helps you build your own opening repertoire. What sets it apart from a standard Lichess study is that it includes a learning and reviewing feature similar to Chessable. Plus, building your repertoire is incredibly simple because the site guides you on exactly which lines you need to cover until your repertoire is fully complete.
Connect Your Accounts
This is an amazing feature! One that Chessable has tried to implement recently, but to my knowledge, it doesn't really work well over there. Essentially, Chessbook connects to your online chess accounts and scans your games. Whenever you deviate from your repertoire it'll let you know!
Model Game Feature
Chessbook has a feature that barely any other chess website offers, and I absolutely love it. It's called "Model Games," and it's basically a mode where you play guess the move using actual games from your repertoire. It is hands-down one of the best exercises for learning not just the openings, but the middlegame ideas and how to actually think like a chess player.
Chessbook App
Chessbook also has a mobile app available for most phones. It has a great user interface and works like a charm. I highly recommend checking it out, it's a fantastic way to use your phone when you're bored instead of doomscrolling
Is Premium Worth it?
Even in the free version, Chessbook is a pretty decent tool. The repertoire builder is quite limited, only allowing 100 moves for each color, but the other features work perfectly normally. The Model Game feature works well (though a smaller repertoire will naturally limit the variety of model games you get), and connecting your accounts works totally fine. Overall, I think the limited free repertoire size really only works for beginners. Higher-level players will definitely need more space.
Chessbook PRO runs $8 a month, or $80 a year if billed annually. It gives you an unlimited number of moves for your repertoire. If you're serious about studying openings and want to build your own custom repertoire, it is 100% worth it in my opinion.
The only real downside is that you don't get a Grandmaster explaining the "why" behind certain moves the way you do on Chessable. However, I'd argue that, as a wise man once said: "chess speaks for itself". I think going through the model games will easily help you understand the core ideas and why those moves are played.
Final verdict? I think it depends on your ambition and level.
Beginners
Stick with the free version first. If you find yourself hitting that 100-move limit and genuinely want to expand your lines, give the paid version a shot for just a single month to see how you like it.
Intermediates
Yes, absolutely! It’s a fantastic, streamlined way to learn new openings and grasp core middlegame ideas without getting overwhelmed.
2000+ Online Elo
100% worth it. At this level, building a custom repertoire filled with lines you actually enjoy playing is incredibly valuable.
Serious OTB Players
It's a maybe. Personally, I wouldn't recommend using Chessbook for high level classical games. However, for other time-formats it's a big yes! I’ve used it successfully for blitz tournaments, including my win in the 2024 Swedish Blitz Championship! However, if you are strictly preparing for serious classical chess, your money might be better spent investing in 3 or 4 Chessable courses instead.