Good free chess programs

XabbaRus · 06-22-07, 04:48 PM

What is recommended. Something that can teach me aswell.
3d would be nice but not essential.

Skybird · 06-22-07, 05:33 PM

I know you said free, but maybe you also opt for very low costs?

The world's major contributor of chess engines is Hamburg-based Chessbase, which publishes almost all important chess engine series today. Some of the older versions of these engines are still available or can be picked up second hand (Amazon, Ebay) for far less than 10 euros including shipping (don't mind their playing strength - they are all beyond good and evil and real killers if not being tamed by options)). With chessbase software, you get extremely good programs with many options to tune them to your needs, self-adapting difficulty levels, and helpful tools, and the visually and functionally best interface on the market.

I would recommend Fritz 7, and if you need good 3D board, Fritz 8, or higher (actual - and fullprice! - version is 10). Also, Hiarcs 7 or higher (actual: 11), Junior 7 or higher, Nimzo 7 or higher, and others from chessbase. I just saw Fritz 6 for 3 Euros at German Amazon, for example, and hiarcs 7 for 2 euros at German ebay, 5 minutes before end. I would not recommend to buy Fritz 5, it has an old and bad interface, the new standard was intorudced not before version 6, and version 7 with full 3D support. Fritz is an engine, and also the name of the interface all chessbase engines are running with.

Newer software versions often come with video tutorials of commented classical matches, additional to the thousand options the Fritz interface offers to tune it to your skill level. The interface is totally free to configure in functionality, and panel sizes.

If you are under serious financial pressure, send me your adress, and I send you one of my older versions for free.

You also can find older chessbase software, especially Fritz 6 and 7, sometimes on cover-CDs of PC-magazines.

Their homepage (does not sell older versions):
http://www.chessbase.com/

If you want visual impression of 3D boards, and 2D boards, the old chess tournament of subsim 18 or more months ago has been deleted, but I could fire up three of four pictures, if needed.

Edit:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fritz-7-Chess-...QQcmdZViewItem

kiwi_2005 · 06-22-07, 06:06 PM

I play Kasparov Chessmate, can get the free version here. Might challenge you online one day

http://www.download-free-games.com/c..._chessmate.htm

Sry just checked no longer a free version.... 1 hour gameplay limit.

Can buy their full version

Letum · 06-22-07, 07:40 PM

Didn't we used to do PBEM chess on the forum?

Skybird · 06-23-07, 03:50 AM

PBEM? Play by electronic media?

Skybird · 06-23-07, 04:55 AM

BEST BUY !

http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listin...&condition=all

This is the best stuff for minimum money. I have Fritz 8 in use myself currently, only my Hiarcs 10 is newer.

XabbaRus · 06-23-07, 05:43 AM

I'll take a look. I'm just wanting something to get started with. Something I can leave and think about while I make the tea.

Skybird · 06-23-07, 05:17 PM

I just had a test setup of the free Arena GUI, and imp0lemented Rybka 1.0 Beta. Setup was a breeze. I struggled with finding out to learn how to corrctly implement the opening book, and used a different. I do not spend time to learn how to handle the functions, since I will stay with Fritz 9 GUI, it was just to illustrate that installiung the Arena GUI and installing engines into it is very easy, even for novices.

Check their forums was support.

06-22-07, 04:48 PM	#1
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Good free chess programs What is recommended. Something that can teach me aswell. 3d would be nice but not essential. __________________

06-22-07, 05:33 PM	#2
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,674 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	I know you said free, but maybe you also opt for very low costs? The world's major contributor of chess engines is Hamburg-based Chessbase, which publishes almost all important chess engine series today. Some of the older versions of these engines are still available or can be picked up second hand (Amazon, Ebay) for far less than 10 euros including shipping (don't mind their playing strength - they are all beyond good and evil and real killers if not being tamed by options)). With chessbase software, you get extremely good programs with many options to tune them to your needs, self-adapting difficulty levels, and helpful tools, and the visually and functionally best interface on the market. I would recommend Fritz 7, and if you need good 3D board, Fritz 8, or higher (actual - and fullprice! - version is 10). Also, Hiarcs 7 or higher (actual: 11), Junior 7 or higher, Nimzo 7 or higher, and others from chessbase. I just saw Fritz 6 for 3 Euros at German Amazon, for example, and hiarcs 7 for 2 euros at German ebay, 5 minutes before end. I would not recommend to buy Fritz 5, it has an old and bad interface, the new standard was intorudced not before version 6, and version 7 with full 3D support. Fritz is an engine, and also the name of the interface all chessbase engines are running with. Newer software versions often come with video tutorials of commented classical matches, additional to the thousand options the Fritz interface offers to tune it to your skill level. The interface is totally free to configure in functionality, and panel sizes. If you are under serious financial pressure, send me your adress, and I send you one of my older versions for free. You also can find older chessbase software, especially Fritz 6 and 7, sometimes on cover-CDs of PC-magazines. Their homepage (does not sell older versions): http://www.chessbase.com/ If you want visual impression of 3D boards, and 2D boards, the old chess tournament of subsim 18 or more months ago has been deleted, but I could fire up three of four pictures, if needed. Edit: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fritz-7-Chess-...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert. Last edited by Skybird; 06-23-07 at 05:18 PM.

06-22-07, 06:06 PM	#3
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	I play Kasparov Chessmate, can get the free version here. Might challenge you online one day http://www.download-free-games.com/c..._chessmate.htm Sry just checked no longer a free version.... 1 hour gameplay limit. Can buy their full version __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

06-22-07, 07:40 PM	#4
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Didn't we used to do PBEM chess on the forum? __________________

06-23-07, 03:50 AM	#5
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,674 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	PBEM? Play by electronic media? __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

06-23-07, 04:55 AM	#6
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,674 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	BEST BUY ! http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listin...&condition=all This is the best stuff for minimum money. I have Fritz 8 in use myself currently, only my Hiarcs 10 is newer. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

06-23-07, 05:43 AM	#7
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I'll take a look. I'm just wanting something to get started with. Something I can leave and think about while I make the tea. __________________

06-23-07, 05:17 PM	#8
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,674 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	I just had a test setup of the free Arena GUI, and imp0lemented Rybka 1.0 Beta. Setup was a breeze. I struggled with finding out to learn how to corrctly implement the opening book, and used a different. I do not spend time to learn how to handle the functions, since I will stay with Fritz 9 GUI, it was just to illustrate that installiung the Arena GUI and installing engines into it is very easy, even for novices. Check their forums was support. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.