Chess Programs

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..

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.