Chess Programs

HotBabe Chess

Price: Free

Operating Systems: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98

Publisher: Stauffer Computer Consulting

This program isn’t great at anything but never makes it self look good. So you shouldn’t get it expecting GNUChess  level chess program. If you want to try it out for the novelty, I can understand but other then that…The program takes to much space, doesn’t have the high quality to back it up. It does one good thing, lots of difficulty levels but most of them are for newbs-good.

There is also a chat at the bottom that allows you to converse with the bot. Who is suppose to be a hot babe. No evidence to prove that is shown. She seems like your enemy but she can give you hints, let you have a move back.

This is the only thing that makes the game unique. It isn’t much but talking to the bot can result in some funny situations.

Since it’s free it can’t hurt to try!

Flash Chess

Price: Free

Operating Systems: Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98

Publisher: Flash Chess Answer

Flash Chess has been built from scrap to fit a fast paced chess game. The program has a built in Engine that is capable of making most of it’s moves in less then 5 seconds. So there is no stop in action. Because of this sometimes it can’t analyze everything thats why this software is better for new players. If you like playing 5minute matches online this program will be the perfecting training for you.

ExaChess

Price: Free

Operating Systems: Mac

Publisher: SolutionWright Software

This program will be real helpful for people who have a blog or youtube account and like to put videos of them playing games with notes.

Or for anyone who wants access to 200,000 matches. With a bunch of grids as the opening tree, moves grid. You will be able to keep track of eveything that is happening. You can also record yourself playing and add annotation for each move. The program supports play vs other engines. There is list of the ones compatible. You can make it play other engines in tournaments or just matches to see who’s better. The stronger your mac the better they play.

Name: Championship Chess All-Stars

Price: 19.99$

Operating Systems:Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 98

Publishers: DreamQuest

The game is fun and challenging at the same time. It may not have the power a real strong chess engine but can still challenge the good chess player. The game has a clean design with a little bit of cartoonish touch to it. You can play against different characters each with it’s own styles, openings. This will give you experience similar to playing a human. The program keeps tracks of all your stats like what openings you used the most and it shows all the moves you have done in each game. So you can look back and see the moves you use often. Improve from watching your errors.

Name: Chess Opening Trainer

Price: Free to try, 39.95$ to buy

Operating Systems: Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98

Publisher: Chess Technologies

This program will enhance your opening chess repertoire. It will give a list of exercise and the ones that you have trouble are the ones that you will have to exercise the most. You train vs the computer and it forces you to do the opening you choose. You may also load old games or some grandmaster’s matches. If you have a site and like to help people with putting your matches up. This might be perfect for you because you can add notations to each moves and then save the game . Let someone open it on a program that lets you play recorded chess matches and bam. But even with everything it does good , I believe the price tag is to much.

Name: Rebel Decade 3.0

Price: Free

Publisher: Schroder BV

Rebel Decade isn’t the program for playing chess yourself. Rather uploading engines on your strong computer and having tournaments. See who wins, how they win. Learn something from the kings. But the real gold in this is all the information you get An encyclopedia of chess,  The full rebel openings by Jeroen Noomen. The Encyclopedia has a database of 200,000 positions. All which can open and see for yourself and analyze.

Name: ChessDog

Price: Free

Operating Systems: Windows NT, ME, 95, 98. 2000, XP

Publisher:KalGames

I once used this program to play online games but the community is now long gone. But this can still serve for good chess battles between friends. It can be used as private chess match place. You can have tournaments or just ordinary exhibitions. It has a simple layout and interface. Plain visuals, only one set of chess pieces. Not the program you want if you are hoping for fast quick games vs new people each time. This will serve for the complete opposite. It is for people who want to play with friends, set up matches with someone over the internet. Etc..

Product Name: AlphaChess

Price: Free

Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98

Publisher: Heresy Softwares

This program offers no single player, no tutorial , nothing. It is meant for someone who knows how to play and is good enough to play against other chess players. It only has an online mode, the visuals are simple and neat. The pieces are 2D but you have upto 20 different sets you can choose from. If you are a picky one you might want to drag the boxes and grid around so the interface is to your liking. The only way to play AI is to load one of the engines you got. Not practical for newbies.

Product Name: Absolut Chess

Price: Free to try ( 10 use only), 12.00$ to buy

Operating Systems: Windows XP, 2000, ME, NT, 98, 95

Publisher: Overlans Systems

Absolut Chess, there are many other chess software like it but this one has to things better then the others : The visuals ( stunning 3D) and amazing sound quality. Many whom played this sim deemed the lighting to dark but that can be fixed via adjusting the options. You can play in fullscreen mode but that takes out some of the useful grids, like the one that displays the moves and what the AI is planning. Though the program makes no attempt to teach a new player the rules or help him out. Some people would like to have the ability to change the background. But if your a true chessplayer you won’t care and will happy about the three different opponents the program offers. Three might sound not much but they all do different moves. If your tired of the comp, you can test yourself against other players online.

Product Name: ChessMaster Challenge 1

Price: Free to try(60min trial, music disabled), 19.99$ to buy

Operating Systems: Windows Me, XP, 2000, 98

Publisher: Playfirst

Chessmaster is without a doubt one of the most recognizable chess sims out there. The program’s visuals are impressive even to this date(it came out in 05). I really like how the difficulty works in this game. You have a list of characters you can play against and each of them have their ELO. With the ChessMaster character having the highest ELO thus being the best player.

It has various brain teasers  and other gameplay modes that will improve your tactics. There are lots of customizable options like change the audio, change the sets etc… You can also pick images to represent yourself and your opponents to have them. It adds a little amusement to the game.

The only bad thing is that the trial is too short, 60minutes for a 20$ program..If you never got a chessmaster software, for sure try this one.

Product Name: Falco Chess 3.5

Price:Free to try, 14.50$ to buy

Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98

Publisher: Falco Software

This program utilizes 3D graphics. So all the pieces are in standard 3D. They look great and make the game feel better. You have so many options for different backgrounds. It also helps the novice player by indicating the moves that are legal. You get ads on the program those are annoying and slow the game down. But a few things like being able to take your move back in online and singleplayer will help new players.

The online is great, the new version has a new server so the games have better speed and are more stable. You can challenge someone by using their IP address and port. Kind of a dated method but still works.

Three levels of difficulty are nice, if you get better or already to good for the normal level take on the harder.

All in all, good program, the 3D is it’s main feature. Game feels fluid and nice without ads. If I were you I would give it a shot.

Product Name: Pawn

Price: Free

Operating system: Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows Server 2008, Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows 98

Publisher: Thomas Starke

Pawn, simple, clean and easy. Those would the three words that I would use to describe this program. The program itself and it’s options are easy to navigate. It is what it is, a program simply for new players ( who know the rules) to hone their skills. With alot of features to make the program to your delight. It still won’t be a program for the good players. It isn’t that the program’s ai aren’t tough but that a true chess player will want to load engines and have the program use it’s computer’s power to the max. Have tournaments between engines, learn from them etc..

Still a good program for those who are new but with the knowledge of the rules. And plus it’s free.

Product Name : Shredder Classic 3

Price : (30 days free trial) 35.99$ to buy

Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000

Developer’s : Stefan Meyer-Kahlen

The Shredder engine is a multiply times chess computer champion winning at the least one chess engine tournament since 1999 till 2007. This dominating chess engine and it’s long list of trophies might scare the new chess player’s. But that should not be the case, like the greeks said To get better you have to face opposition stronger then yourself. This might be the case here or not. But with it’s variety of different tool’s such as analyzing your positioning , mistake’s it will only make your chess game more mint. And of course the longtime chess players, they will seek to challenge this beast of a engine. And also see how it does against other Chess Engines. Even though it isn’t the king of chess engines anymore it still will be match for any top 5 chess engine. You can also do the average chess program modifications , change interface, skins, different sounds, layout etc… You can even play online.. With this program you will have everything in your house for a good chess player , a built in coach, great ai, online competition.

Title : KChess Elite

Price : 30.00$

Operating system: Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98

Developer : Ark Angles

Not the best program in the chess market but really one of the best. This program offers so much..The program doesn’t have the best design layout with the gray window’s but with a little nitpicking around I’m sure you can create something suitable for yourself. Kchess has sound files that will announce each move made by the player and COM. With a few helpful abilities that will help the new player, like highlighting pieces that are in danger. The program also features an Encyclopaedia of openings, last move maker, a list full of chess terms and tactics, add comments to specific moves. And the program also features a special Analyze mode that should be helpful for true chess player’s.

Title : Chess Magician 3.0

Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98

Developer : Huntersoft

Date added: March 20, 2002

Chess Magician is the kind of program you would install on your laptop and play when you would be on a plane.

This program is pure amusement, but with benefits. You get to challenge this Gigantic Computer, who is thought to be unbeatable ( we’ll see)..There is also a helpful character, The al magician..

He can help you through out the game if your having difficulties. At the early stages you might find this feature a waste but I suggest that later it might be more handy.

As you go from level 1 till level 9 the game becomes harder. From my experience, the first 3 levels are simple for a good chess player and a beginner will probably need help from the magician feature.

From there and on is where the game takes a huge leap in difficulty..Even the experience players will be boggled a few times.. But due to some repetitive patterns by the ai it can become predictable.

That is the only con I have with this.. It can be found at CNET.com for a free version. Not the best product for an expert player but for a beginner , he will only get better..And oh ya the graphics nothing to be ashamed of , far from the worst but not the best either.. Board is pretty simple and neat also.

Title : Chess Rally

Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98

Price : 20.00$

Date Released : July 30, 2004

This Chess program offers anything a Chess player would want..With a few modes where you can improve your movement and indicate what the risk’s are..

Many other useful features that will make your game , overall better.  Like all other chess program’s in the modern era, you have a tons of custom options available to you.

Such as Board Design, piece style, board color, sound modifications. With all this options you can optimize the program for the best experience possible for you, without a hassle.

Some people believe it has real hard ai even on easy. For newcomers it might prove challenging but for the seasoned veterans who like to play someone at their level they can up it.

But better then that the Chess Rally has great online functionalities, this is where you will have great battles among other chess players. You can join the official boards and fix games or even straight from the program by sending a email request.

You can find a trial version for 21 days in freeware site.

My only gripe was that I wanted more then 21 days to check out the feautres …But I guess I am going have to buy it.

The 20.00$ price tag might seem high but once dwell into the great online community and improve your Chess Skills..You won’t mind the price.