Frequently asked questions

Schackappen is a Swedish chess program for kids aged 6–11 (preschool to grade 5). It consists of the game (skola.schackappen.se) and a portal for teachers/parents (portal.schackappen.se). The game includes sagas that teach the pieces, classic chess against AI opponents, 2,000 puzzles, 16 openings and endgame training.

Schackappen is built by Ulf Cato. The idea came when his daughter Isa was seven and wanted to learn chess — patience was short, interest was high. The app is developed in dialogue with kids, parents, teachers and Swedish chess clubs.

Preschool to grade 5 (about 6–11 years) is our main audience. The youngest use sagas and visual exercises; older kids use classic chess, puzzles and openings.

Schackappen isn't a fit for serious adult players — for them there's Chess.com and Lichess. We're specifically built for kids who are learning.

Not to get started. The first sagas and exercises are largely visual — pieces show themselves where they can move, and encouragement is spoken rather than text-based.

The Catch Words mode is actually built to support early reading and keyboard skills in a playful way.

No. Open skola.schackappen.se in any browser (Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox) and you're up and running. Want it as an app: tap the share icon and choose "Add to Home Screen".

iPad, iPhone, Android, Chromebook, Mac and Windows PC. The screen adapts automatically to the device size. We recommend Chrome or Safari for the best experience.

Yes, after the first connection. The whole game (including the AI opponent) is downloaded so the child can play without internet — perfect for bus rides, flaky school networks or the summer cottage.

For teachers/parents: the portal for administration requires internet because it reads from the database.

Automatically. When the child is online next time, new versions download in the background. No "update the app" buttons.

For students in a class: only first name (or nickname) and chosen avatar. Plus stats from the game (number of games, ELO, completed sagas). No email, no personal ID, nothing else.

For teachers and parents with portal accounts: email and password (encrypted) plus name.

Data is stored with Supabase in the EU. No third party has access. Read the privacy policy for details.

No, never. No ads. No third-party cookies. No ad pixels. No in-app purchases. Kids are not a target audience to monetize.

Yes. We minimize personal data deliberately: only first name and avatar for students, everything stored in the EU.

For schools that need formal documentation, we sign data processing agreements (PUB-avtal). Email ulf@schackappen.se and we'll send our template.

No. There is no chat function at all. Children play against AI opponents. The only "social" element is that a teacher sees their students' stats — students don't see each other.

Unlimited. You can create multiple classes and each class can have any number of students — for the same flat price.

Log in to portal.schackappen.se as a teacher. Click "Create new class", name it, and you get a code like PTSZ-5886. Students go to skola.schackappen.se, choose "I have a class code", enter it.

In the teacher portal, under the class. Each student has a card with number of games, wins, ELO rating, completed sagas, stars and last active. Updates automatically every 30 seconds so you follow in real time during a chess lesson.

We use Stockfish — the world's strongest open chess engine. Default is unforgivingly hard, but we've throttled it down so it matches the child's ELO rating dynamically. From ~600 ELO up to tournament level.

If the child wins the level rises, if the child loses the level drops. Never frustrating, never boring.

Yes. See the teacher manual (in Swedish) with lesson suggestions, pedagogical principles and tips.

Schools & clubs: 449 SEK/month, unlimited students. Monthly invoice.
Family: 29 SEK/month. Payment via Swish (Stripe live Q3 2026).

No setup fee, no lock-in. See the pricing page for details.

Yes, 30 days free. No card required. You tell us if you want to continue after the trial — otherwise nothing happens.

Email ulf@schackappen.se and we'll set up a demo for you.

Email us or stop the Swish payments. No lock-in. Access ends at the end of the paid month.

Q3 2026 — Stripe Checkout activates with card and direct debit for automatic monthly payments. Today we accept orders via email, invoice (schools) and Swish (family).