ChessLock

ChessLock is a focus and screen time management app that takes a unique approach to digital wellness: it blocks your distracting apps and makes you solve chess puzzles to earn a break. Built by developer Patricio Guzman, the app combines proven productivity techniques with the cognitive challenge of chess tactics.

The concept is simple but effective. You select the apps you want to block, start a focus session, and your chosen apps become locked. The only way to pause the session is to solve a chess puzzle. This creates a friction barrier that turns mindless phone-checking into a moment of genuine mental engagement. It is available on iOS, Android, Mac, Apple Vision, and as a Chrome browser extension.

ChessLock is privacy-first by design. There are no accounts to create, no personal data collected, and all preferences are stored locally on your device. The free version covers the basics, while ChessLock Pro (starting around $2.99) unlocks unlimited sessions, adjustable puzzle difficulty, and smarter blocking controls. Whether you are a student, a freelancer, a parent managing screen time, or a chess player looking for a creative way to build a puzzle habit, ChessLock offers something different from the typical screen time app.