Is lichobile still being updated?

No, lichobile is deprecated and no longer updated. It was officially replaced by a complete rewrite, and the repository is marked as obsolete with no further maintenance.

How do I build lichobile from source?

You need to install Node.js, Ionic Capacitor dependencies, and for Android, the NDK. Follow the setup steps in the README, but note that the project is no longer maintained, so issues may arise.

Lichobile vs the lichess mobile website: which is better?

For current use, the mobile website or the new app is recommended as lichobile is obsolete. The website offers similar features without installation, while lichobile provided offline analysis but is deprecated.

Can I play chess offline with lichobile?

Yes, lichobile supports offline play and analysis using the embedded Stockfish engine, allowing you to analyze games without an internet connection, as mentioned in the key features.

What chess variants does lichobile support?

It supports multiple chess variants like Chess960, Three-check, and others, thanks to the integrated JavaScript port of scalachejs, enabling diverse gameplay options.

Why was lichobile deprecated?

Lichobile was deprecated to be replaced by a complete rewrite aimed at improving performance, maintainability, and updating the codebase with modern technologies, as noted in the README.

How to migrate from lichobile to the new app?

Uninstall lichobile and install the new app from the provided link. Your lichess account data should sync automatically since both apps use the same backend, but backup any local data first.

Open-Awesome

Lichess mobile

GPL-3.0TypeScriptv8.0.0

The former official mobile app for lichess.org, a free and open-source online chess platform.

Visit Website GitHub

2.2k stars329 forks0 contributors

What is Lichess mobile?

Lichobile was the official mobile application for lichess.org, a free and open-source online chess server. It provided a native mobile interface for playing chess, analyzing games with Stockfish, and accessing lichess.org's features on Android and iOS devices. The app has been deprecated and replaced by a complete rewrite.

Target Audience

Chess enthusiasts and lichess.org users who prefer a dedicated mobile app experience over the mobile website for playing and analyzing games on the go.

Value Proposition

As the official lichess.org app, it offered seamless integration with the platform's ad-free, open-source ecosystem, including built-in Stockfish analysis and support for multiple chess variants. Its cross-platform design using Ionic Capacitor ensured a consistent experience across mobile operating systems.

Overview

lichess.org former mobile application / new one -> github.com/lichess-org/mobile

Use Cases

Best For

Playing real-time and correspondence chess on lichess.org via mobile
Analyzing chess games offline with the embedded Stockfish engine
Accessing lichess.org's features in a native app format on Android or iOS
Exploring multiple chess variants like Chess960 or Three-check on mobile
Receiving push notifications for game moves and challenges
Contributing to or learning from an open-source mobile chess app project

Not Ideal For

Developers starting new mobile chess app projects requiring active maintenance and updates
Teams needing high-performance native graphics or access to latest iOS/Android SDK features
Users prioritizing minimal setup complexity without dependencies like Android NDK
Projects not exclusively tied to the lichess.org platform or ecosystem

Pros & Cons

Pros

Multi-variant Chess Support

Supports playing and analyzing various chess variants like Chess960 using a JavaScript port of scalachess, enabling diverse gameplay beyond standard chess.

Offline Stockfish Analysis

Integrates a native Stockfish engine through a Capacitor plugin for in-depth game analysis without requiring an internet connection, as highlighted in the README.

Cross-platform Compatibility

Built with Ionic Capacitor, it allows for a single codebase to target both Android and iOS, ensuring consistent functionality across mobile operating systems.

Ad-free Open Source

Adheres to lichess.org's philosophy by providing a completely free and open-source experience with no ads or monetization, promoting user freedom.

Cons

Deprecated and Unmaintained

The project is officially obsolete and replaced by a rewrite, meaning no updates, bug fixes, or support are available, as stated in the end-of-life notice.

Complex Build Setup

Requires specific dependencies such as Android NDK for Stockfish compilation and multiple build steps, increasing setup complexity and barrier to entry.

Web-based Performance Limits

As a web application using Ionic Capacitor, it may have performance trade-offs compared to fully native apps, especially for graphics-intensive tasks.

Firebase Dependency

Push notifications rely on Firebase Cloud Messaging, adding external dependency and complexity for builds, with optional removal requiring manual patching.

Frequently Asked Questions

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