Is Chess.com Premium worth it? A full review of Diamond, Platinum and Gold Plans (2025)
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Chess has exploded in popularity over the last few years. From Twitch streamers like Hikaru Nakamura to Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, millions of new players are discovering the game — and most of them end up on Chess.com, the world’s largest chess platform.
But here’s the big question: Is Chess.com Premium actually worth it?
After all, the free version already lets you play unlimited games, solve a few puzzles, and join tournaments. So why pay for Gold, Platinum, or Diamond plans?
In this concise review, I’ll break down what each tier offers, who it’s best for, and whether upgrading makes sense for you in 2025.
What You Get for Free on Chess.com
Before diving into the paid tiers, let’s look at what a free account gives you:
Unlimited live & daily games against real people
Access to limited basic puzzles
A taste of Chess.com lessons
Casual play vs bots
Clubs, tournaments, and leader-boards
If you just want to play casually with friends or strangers, the free plan is surprisingly generous. But if you’re serious about improving your chess, you’ll quickly run into limits, especially with puzzles, lessons, and analysis.
Gold Plan – The Casual Upgrade
The Gold plan is the entry-level Premium tier. At around €4.17 per month (when billed yearly), it’s a light upgrade for casual players who want more training material.
Key features:
Unlimited puzzles (instead of being capped daily)
Access to more lessons in the “Learn” section
Game archives
This is what i have personally used of the most. The unlimited puzzles was the driving factor in the decision as it helped level up my game exponentially. Unlimited puzzle rush and puzzle battle sharpened my mind, seriously improving my bullet games.
Verdict: Gold is fine if you’re dipping your toes into chess training, but most players who want real improvement will find it limited in some ways. I would recommend this for players under a chess.com rating of about 1500
Platinum Plan – The Sweet Spot
The Platinum plan costs around €7.09 per month (when billed yearly), and it’s where Chess.com starts to shine for training.
Key features:
Unlimited puzzles and Puzzle Rush
Unlimited and full game review with engine analysis
Advanced lessons and video library access
Game review is a game-changer (pun intended). You can see every mistake, blunder, and missed tactic instantly after a match. For anyone climbing the rating ladder, this feedback is gold (or maybe platinum, sorry…). Personally, I think this tier is worth it for solely the game review, it’s like having a coach looking over your games, except cheaper :). The advanced lessons and video library are also great features that also elevate your independent learning.
Verdict: This is the sweet spot — affordable but packed with useful tools. I would recommend this for players between a chess.com rating of 1400 and 2000.
Diamond Plan – All-In for Serious Players
The Diamond plan is the top-tier membership at around €10.42 per month (when billed yearly). It unlocks everything Chess.com has to offer.
Key features:
Unlimited game review (every game analyzed deeply)
All premium lessons + video library
Chess.com Insights and move explanations (stats on your strengths/weaknesses)
Exclusive tournament entry and features
Course perks, 300+ free courses and some course discounts
Who it’s for: Serious tournament players, coaches, or anyone aiming for rapid improvement
Verdict: For casual players, it’s probably overkill, but if chess is your passion and you spend hours studying, diamond is worth it. I would recommend this for players over a chess.com rating of 2000.
Quick FAQ
Q: Can beginners use Premium?
Yes! Even Gold helps beginners train with unlimited puzzles.
Q: Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, Chess.com Premium is subscription-based and cancellable.
Q: Is Diamond worth it for casual players?
Probably not — unless you’re studying seriously, Platinum, Gold or Free is better.
Q: Are there better membership alternatives outside of chess.com?
Although other resources provide more in-depth and potentially more professional training, chess.com is mostly unparalleled due to it's usability, flexibility and price point. Above all, it’s features are integrated into the largest chess space in the world.
