Category: Reviews Page 3 of 4

The Sad State of Chess on Mac

On January 11, 2015

Prior to 2009, I was a die-hard Windows user. Once a year I would order a collection of parts from NewEgg and Tiger Direct to build myself a custom PC or upgrade an older system with new memory or storage space. In addition to my custom desktop machine, I would carry around a Toshiba Windows laptop and I also had an early edition Acer AspireOne 10″ netbook with a keyboard almost too small for my hands. In the Spring of 2009, I began experimenting with Apple products thanks to my new obsession with my iPod Touch. It was not long before every computer in my home sported the i-prefix: an iMac desktop machine, a Macbook, and countless iPods and iPads. It was at that time when my chess studies waned significantly and I refocused myself to studying the Bible and working on my Masters of Divinity. This type of study lent itself well to the Apple ecosystem with Logos Bible Software running with lightning-fast precision on my MacBook Air.

However, my interest in chess took center stage in 2014 when I started OffMyChess.com and began a serious and regimented focus on my chess studies. I soon realized that the Apple ecosystem, as beautiful as it is, remains a wasteland of broken chess interfaces and is devoid of any true competitor to ChessBase, the king of chess databases. Unfortunately, ChessBase runs only on Windows PCs and I learned the hard way that it is not compatible with Windows emulation software such as CrossOver. I was able to successfully install ChessBase Reader 2013 on my MacBook Air under OS X Mavericks, but the full edition of ChessBase 12 and Deep Fritz 14 simply would not install on the system without resorting to extreme measures. At the end of this post, I will examine two ways that I have learned to use ChessBase in combination with the Apple ecosystem and offer tips on how it is possible to run full-edition ChessBase and all ChessBase products within OS X itself.

OS X Chess

In my opinion, there is very little to say about this program. It is a visual and cognitive disgrace that I am surprised has consistently passed the rigorous quality assurance processes in Cupertino. The Apple computer line has long prided itself as the preference of intellectuals and artists, which are two categories that encompass a significant portion of the chess community. Chess is the most popular mind sport in the world¹, it is difficult to imagine why Apple did not dedicate a little more time and effort to refining the appearance and function of this program. Even Winboard and its derivatives are more useful for even the moderately responsible chess player than this program. There are no portable game notation (PGN) options in this program, which is pretty much a necessity when playing to improve. If a simple game of chess with basic functions and below-average playing skill and strength, then let the default chess program in OS X answer your prayers.

Shredder for OS X

Shredder is an immensely strong chess engine that has user interfaces available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. I used Shredder on iOS to practice my tactics for years before migrating to chess on the desktop. However, the OS X chess user interface and overall implementation of Shredder on the Mac is truly horrific. The program itself is split into multiple windows, which is an old-school way of creating OS X applications. The lack of a unified interface makes it difficult to work with games and in trial runs with OS X Mavericks and Yosemite, there seemed to be a myriad of stability issues that made the entire user experience less than stellar.

A ChessBase-like Database?

Apple’s reputation for creating first-class operating systems and computer hardware does not extend to most of its applications. Utilities available to manage files and hardware in OS X are among the best out there, but Apple’s applications are often lacking key features and dependent on specific hardware configurations to work. This has left the open source community to pick up the pieces that are often lacking in OS X. The curiously titled Shane’s Chess Information Database (SCID) is perhaps as close as a person can get to having a native version of ChessBase running under OS X. The program is incredibly stable, has excellent support from its community contributors over at SourceForge and contains many useful features necessary for serious chess study. SCID also features an interface for using the Free Internet Chess Server. If there was simply no way to access ChessBase resources on a Mac, then SCID or a combination of SCID and HiARCS Chess Explorer would be the way to go.

HiARCS Chess Explorer

In the world of computer chess, there remains a dispute over the title of the reigning chess engine champion. In the not too distance past, Rybka, which boasted that it was the strongest engine ever created, had its World Computer Chess Championship title stripped when it was revealed that some of the code lines were plagiarized from another engine. These days, the HiARCS chess engine is the reigning computer chess World Champion, and its authors have created native user interfaces for both Microsoft Windows and OS X. These interfaces are identical on both operating systems, which makes HiARCS Chess Explorer the best native OS X chess interface out there. This program utilizes the HiARCS chess engine by default, but easily allows for the installation of 3rd-party universal chess interface (UCI) engines such as Stockfish, Shredder, Rybka, and older versions of Fritz. The database options in the program are basic, but highly functional for collecting and analyzing different games. I also found great use of the engine match function where the user can program two chess engines to compete against each other. HiARCS Chess Explorer is a light in the dark chasm of OS X chess, and it is probably the best bang for your buck if the user seeks something strictly native to OS X.

ChessBase Under OS X

The only way to access ChessBase or its myriad of DVDs and resources is to install a program that allows crossover applications from Microsoft Windows to function on OS X. The most popular (and stable) of these options are CrossOver and Oracle VM VirtualBox. However, each of them have some limitations that must be considered when installing and operating ChessBase:

CrossOver
- This application installs on OS X and allows native integration for Windows-based programs with OS X. The major limitation to this program is that it creates virtual bottles where individual operating system settings are stored and virtual drives are created to install Windows-based programs. I made several attempts to install ChessBase 12 and Deep Fritz 14 on OS X using CrossOver, but the installer failed on each attempt. Fortunately, I was successful at installing ChessBase Reader, which is included with every edition of ChessBase Magazine. However, this is the extent to which ChessBase is available as a natively integrated OS X application.
Oracle VM VirtualBox
- By far, this is the most effective way that I have found to install and use Windows-based software on OS X. Using VirtualBox, the end user can create a virtual computer to install a myriad of operating systems including multiple Windows and Unix flavors. The program itself contains multiple control options that allow the user to determine the amount of RAM, hard drive space, and processor resources used to run the software. There are some limitations that must be considered before taking this route:
  - The user must own a legal copy of a compatible Windows operating system.
  - If installing on a MacBook Air, the user should be mindful of hard drive space requirements to install a Windows operating system, ChessBase, and its database extensions. To alleviate this problem, I recommend installing the operating system on the Air’s SSD and using a 128 GB SD card as an external hard drive to install ChessBase databases, DVDs, and ChessBase Magazines.
- Running Windows on OS X will have a significant impact on a MacBook’s battery life, so close attention should be paid to the amount of power being utilized for analysis and game annotation.

Without a doubt, the best chess experience on an Apple computer comes in the form of the Windows environment. If the user owns a MacBook or MacBook Air and does not want to run Windows in a virtual environment under OS X, then the option to install Windows under BootCamp is available. This allows the user to install Windows on a separate hard drive partition and run the operating system without running OS X. As with the limitations of running Windows in VirtualBox under OS X, the user must own a legal copy of Windows and install it on the BootCamp partition for this to work properly.

Wrapping This Up

The OS X chess experience is less than stellar, which was a huge disappointment for me when I transitioned from Microsoft Windows to exclusively using Mac products. Much of the chess software available on the Mac will perform basic functions, but do not come close to the depth of function and resources that ChessBase and similar applications offer on the Windows platform. Hopefully ChessBase, ChessOK, and other companies will realize the growing OS X audience and offer alternatives to running this programs exclusively on the Microsoft platform. Until then, those of us in the Apple ecosystem will have to step outside of the walled garden to find our slice of heaven on the board.

Raymond Keene, Chess Secrets (The Times Little Books) (London, UK: HarperCollins, 2013), 1. ↩

OffMyChess.com Yearbook Now Available!

By Commander Exorcist

On January 1, 2015

In Personal Reflection, Reviews

When I began writing this blog back in May of 2014, I promised myself that I wanted it to be something simple…merely a way for me to share my chess experiences, thoughts, and passions. I have developed a significant obsession for the game over the past year or so and I am excited to announce that the first major publication from this site is now available for free download! The OffMyChess.com Yearbook 2014 is the culmination of a monumental solo-effort to compile the “greatest hits” from this site throughout the last year. There are several articles reprinted from the blog in PDF format creating an exceptional collection format.

What you will find in the yearbook:

God and Chess
Movie Review: Life of a King
Magnus Carlsen: The World Champion Reigns
Is Chess Losing Public Appeal?
Product reviews including Chessmate, Plycounter, and various chess boards.

Additionally, the yearbook contains 30 games annotated by myself for the OMC Weekend Review. This compilation features the news, stories, and articles from twenty weeks of OMC Weekend Review and have been revised with new annotations and diagrams to explain key moves and positions. Finally, the Yearbook is also available in ChessBase format and includes annotated copies of each game from the PDF document.

The OffMyChess.com Yearbook has been a labor of love since June of last year when I began publishing the weekly updates. It is my goal to expand on that practice through 2015 and continue to collect games that I believe are instructive and representative of the challenges that people face when undertaking a monumental task such as learning to play good chess. In the meantime, head over to the Publications page to get the PDF and ChessBase database files to enjoy the inaugural edition of OffMyChess.com Yearbook 2014!

The Best of ChessBase Magazine #163

By Commander Exorcist

On December 16, 2014

In ChessBase, Reviews

I have to admit that I have become somewhat of a ChessBase fanboy over the past few months. The first time I can remember using a ChessBase product was a copy of Fritz 8 that I purchased at Hastings Entertainment in Clovis, New Mexico. I was just starting to grow my interest in chess and decided to head out to the store and pick up a program to help me learn. Fritz 8, although long superseded by Fritz 9 to Deep Fritz 14, was a powerful engine that readily defeated me in every game I played. Suffice to say that I was not impressed with it because I was unfamiliar with chess engines, chess interfaces, UCI, PGN, and the full lexicon of digital chess language that I utilize today. I took note that Fritz was created by ChessBase and decided to steer clear for awhile.

My Growing Love for ChessBase

As time has moved on, I have come to recognize the wonderful contributions to preparation and exhibition that ChessBase has brought to the world of digital chess. One night, I intended to purchase a copy of Deep Fritz 14 to assist with analyzing my games, but accidentally added a copy of ChessBase 12 to my order as well. When I sought a refund for the other, the friendly folks at ChessBase contacted me to discuss my concerns with the program and ask if there was anything they could do help. I explained that it was a mistaken purchase, but they encouraged me to try it out first before I decided if I wanted to return it. Since then, ChessBase has been critical to my growth as a player and as a blogger. As I became more reliant on ChessBase for game storage and analysis, I decided to give ChessBase Magazine and try. What I found was a digital utopia of analysis and reporting that caused me to cancel my subscription to New in Chess.

It is no secret that I was ecstatic when I arrived home on Friday evening and found ChessBase Magazine #163 waiting in my mailbox. Each magazine comes in a distinctive color, with #163 (December 2014 to January 2015) being green and featuring Fabiano Caruana, who dominated in several Grand Prix tournaments and at the Sinquefield Cup earlier this year. The booklet that accompanies each edition of ChessBase Magazine is nice and has summaries and cross tables for each tournament, but the real meat of the publication is on the enclosed DVD. On a side note, there is a download only subscription option that includes all of the DVD content and a PDF file of the booklet.

ChessBase Magazine #163

As I said, the meat of ChessBase Magazine is on the DVD that comes with each issue. In CBM 163, there are 1,463 games included in ChessBase databases with many of them being presented with video commentary by grandmasters such as Karsten Müller, Daniel King, and others. In this day and age, it is easy to find commentary on top games by grandmasters on YouTube or other chess websites, but rarely will you find these games annotated and analyzed by grandmasters and provided with commentary and analysis for further study. In this edition, several tournaments from the FIDE Grand Prix are covered including Grand Prix Tashkent and Grand Prix Baku. Daniel King gives four video commentaries on games from Grand Prix Baku and many other games are annotated and included in the database. Here is an example of what comes in CBM 163:

Of course, the video lectures are my favorite part of ChessBase Magazine, but each edition includes a number of tactics and strategy puzzles for the reader to solve. These puzzles come straight from the grandmaster games reviewed in the magazine articles and the reader engages in responsive feedback with the video system within ChessBase. For example, in CBM 163, author Oliver Reeh focuses on exchanges in a series of tactical puzzles designed to fine-tune the reader’s interpretation of appropriate piece exchanges to gain advantage over their opponent.

Finally, there is an excellent collection of “tele-chess” correspondence games presented by Juan Morgado and Roberto Alvarez. The correspondence database contains over 10,000 games with 32 of them annotated for greater emphasis and study. ChessBase Magazine #163 continues a tradition of chess journalism excellence and I highly recommend it for chess players of all levels.

Bobby Fischer Live – Avoid at All Cost!

By Commander Exorcist

On December 14, 2014

In Famous Players, Personal Reflection, Reviews

As a kid, I can remember that Searching for Bobby Fischer was one of my first real introductions to the world of competitive chess. As I watched the film during our school’s chess club, I wondered throughout the film what most people already knew: Where is this Bobby Fischer guy? I knew that he was considered the greatest chess player of all time and that he had been missing for decades, but it was difficult at the time for me to realize the metaphorical elements of the movie’s title. These days, it seems as though many directors are jumping on the bandwagon to create movies and documentaries about the now-deceased recluse. Pawn Sacrifice debuted recently to decent reviews as well as the excellent HBO documentary Bobby Fischer Against the World, which arrived on the scene a few years ago.

As a huge Bobby Fischer fan, I have read as many books and articles that I could find on him and have digested countless minutia about his life, his personality, and his incredible chess games. However, I was surprised to find a movie on Amazon.com called Bobby Fischer Live, which appeared to be a biopic about his life from early childhood up to his escape from Japanese authorities to refuge in Iceland. Bobby Fischer Live stars Damian Chapa as Bobby and includes a cast of actors you may never recognize again.

When I played this movie on Friday night, I was excited to sit back and experience the life of Bobby Fischer. However, that joy immediately disintegrated into uncertainty and panic when within the first few seconds of the film, Bobby’s mother Regina is shown taking her newborn child to an Adaption Agency to give him away. I cannot remember the last time that I witnessed a spelling error in the opening credits of a film…even from low budget and independent local films. For me, this set the tone for the rest of the film because my obsessive-compulsive senses immediately peaked and I wanted to see what other problems existed in this film. I will not even get into the violations of chess law and the history of Bobby’s style that exist in this film, but I will say that he is shown constantly using the Queen’s pawn opening of 1.d4, which was not his preferred method of starting a game.

Re-creating Bobby’s famous introduction to the world.

Bobby Fischer Live is a word-for-word recreation of famous interviews, press conferences, and the memories of his closest friends and chess players. The scenes are recreated perhaps as best as they could be given the apparently low budget of the film, but the middle-aged Chapa certainly does not have the charisma or the physical presence to portray an accurate portrait of Bobby Fischer. It is obvious that Chapa is doing his best to project Fischer’s violent anti-semitism, but it falls way flat of the real thing. The scenes involving the 1972 World Chess Championship were so incredibly amateurish and appeared to have been shot in a cheesy hotel ballroom, where the two champions battled it out against each other at a borrowed kitchen table on the same level as the audience. Furthermore, Boris Spassky’s wig in those scenes were most likely borrowed from the closet of an Elvis impersonator. The director made a feeble attempt to show the hostility between Spassky and Moscow as he refused the Kremlin’s calls to abandon the match for the sake of his reputation, but the conflict lacks any substance or depth. As Bobby grows beyond the 1972 championship, his famous rant against the United States after the 9/11 attacks is re-created and there are some segments of the film that take place in a Japanese detention center as he awaits extradition to the United States for violation of the U.S. embargo on Yugoslavia in 1992.

Chess films tend to have a certain level of professionalism because the creators of these films understand that chess players can be very picky about the details, but I tend to allow a wide latitude for creative interpretation in books and film. Incorrect chess board setups and wrong moves permeate Hollywood films, but the level of amateur development in this film is disgraceful to chess and to the memory of Bobby Fischer. Watching this film feels like the director and the actors read a book about Bobby Fischer one time, decided he was interesting, and decided to make a movie. I have a hard time believing that anyone involved with this movie truly understood the depth of Bobby’s genius and his inner struggles, because there is no struggle, no substance, and no reason to watch this blundering piece of garbage.

Book Review – Pandolfini’s Ultimate Guide to Chess

By Commander Exorcist

On December 10, 2014

In Famous Players, Reviews

Bruce Pandolfini is an American Grandmaster who came to prominence in the chess world during his analysis of the 1972 FIDE World Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. He has written dozens of chess books and is known in chess circles as a world-class instructor. Ben Kingsley played a modified version of him in Searching for Bobby Fischer, which was based on the life of chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin.

For amateur chess players around the world, there are a seemingly endless number of beginner books designed to help students learn the basics and gain some insight into tactics and strategy. Pandolfini’s Ultimate Guide to Chess is one of those rare gems that rises above the rest and gives the reader something truly extraordinary to partake: a series of chess sessions with Bruce himself. The book is structured like many other chess instructional texts with an introduction chapter to explain concepts such as basic moves, forks, pins, skewers, discovered checks, etc. Fortunately, the introduction does not last very long before Pandolfini dives into the meat of the lesson.

By far what sets this book apart from its competitors (aside from the quality chess instruction) is the dialog. The entire book is essentially a transcript from a series of chess lessons between Pandolfini and one of his students. As the games progress within the book, the student will pause to ask questions that are quite common inquiries for the budding amateur. Pandolfini will offer a (sometimes cheeky) response to the student and provide several options for how to proceed with the game. The reader can see the thought processes at work as the student evaluates each position and considers his next move.

I read this book on Amazon Kindle and the book had no significant issues such as poor diagrams or incorrect notation, which often plagues electronic updates of chess books. Some of the dialog seems pandering from Pandolfini, but the attempts at humor do not interfere with the chess dialog in a significant way. If you select this book as a guide for gaining insight into the basics of chess, I recommend setting aside a specific chess board to make moves and follow-along during the lessons. All of the lessons are designed around a single game played by Pandolfini and the student, so it helps to have a visual reference when examining alternative lines.

Pandolfini’s Ultimate Guide to Chess is an excellent addition to any established chess library or a perfect beginner’s book for a serious student looking to break into chess.

OffMyChess.com Rating: ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

Product Review – USCF Analysis Chess Set

By Commander Exorcist

On October 5, 2014

In Reviews

I believe that you can never own too many chess sets. There is no way that I am able to play all of them at the same time, but the multitude of opportunities to play chess in life almost facilitates the need for a person with a passion for our game to own multiple sets. In my case, I am a huge fan of small-to-mid range sized sets. My Chessmate Ultima and USCF pocket set are two of my personal favorites. However, I recently came across a new set offered by USCFSales.com that has finally fulfilled my desire for a high-quality, travel-sized tabletop set: the USCF Analysis Combination Set.

The analysis chess set and board combination comes in two styles, although this review focuses mainly on the standard combination board. The other set, which is called the Marshall Series, has a fancier Staunton design, costs $10 more, and in my opinion, is not necessary unless you are purely interested in the aesthetics of your analysis set. The primary style (as I call it), is a small plastic set in the same mold and style as the larger USCF-approved tournament sets. This is one aspect that made this particular chess set very appealing to me. I really like playing on the larger USCF– approved boards and this made it easy to really carry one of them around.

The set is made of high quality plastic and vinyl, which is perfect for a home like mine that is dominated by toddlers. The pieces are very sturdy and I can attest to their survival through multiple “fall tests” on to ceramic tile. The vinyl board is about 14″ x 14″ and is perfect for playing on smaller surfaces. The pieces are not weighted and do not qualify for use in tournament play, but the set itself is perfect for using while watching an instructional DVD or playing a skittles match.

At $5.95 a piece, these chess sets are a perfect addition to anyone’s chess set collection. I have two of these and am considering purchasing more for use with my multiple correspondence games. The pieces also fit the 12″ analysis board from Wholesale Chess, which comes in green, black, and blue. The USCF Analysis set is an excellent combination of portability, durability, and usability for the chess player with limited space.

OffMyChess.com Verdit: ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

Phiona Mutesi – The Queen of Katwe

By Commander Exorcist

On September 28, 2014

In Famous Players, Personal Reflection, Reviews

Chess is a universal passion. It unifies all people because the rules apply the same to every person regardless of their color, religion, national origin, etc. A Queen moves the same for an American player as it does for someone from the slums of Uganda, such as Phiona Mutesi, who rose to international prominence a few years ago as part of Uganda’s first national chess team. Before that, Uganda had been unable to field a team for a Chess Olympiad due to the country’s disastrous economy, ubiquitous civil war, and corrupt government. It was her ability to overcome the horrific conditions of her every day life in such a way that found her across-the-board from some of the world’s most amazing chess players.

Katwe in the city of Kampala, Uganda is one of those places where when you hear about it, it is almost impossible to erase from your memory. For the unfortunate people that call Katwe home, surviving from one day to the next is a remarkable achievement. The slums of Katwe is a tangled mesh of shacks housing multitudes of families. Many of the young ladies Born into this environment end up as sex slaves or become married at very early ages. In addition, as of 2011, approximately 50% of the teenage girls in that providence are mothers! I have to admit that until I read the book I was completely unaware of this place and the horrific conditions that its people endure every day. Phiona Mutesi comes from this region and not only has she managed to survive, but her discovery of the ancient game of kings has taken her out of its deadly clutches and into the plane halls of some of the worlds largest Chess Olympiads.

She learned to play chess and began to teach it to the other children in her province. As Kirsan was looking to bolster support for his FIDE reelection, he agreed to allow the Organization to fund a Ugandan National team. This was her golden opportunity to escape the slums and to visit another world. Simple things that we take for granted, such as concerts and sporting events were completely alien to her. Hearing her story and exploring the world through the eyes of someone who has yet to experience less than a quarter of the joys that most of us experience was incredibly eye-opening.

In 2012, author Tim Crothers wrote an amazing book called The Queen of Katwe in which he chronicled the conditions of the Katwe slum and the eventual Discovery of chess by Phiona. This is a fascinating read which I highly recommend for both chess players and people interested in the trials and triumphs of other cultures. While I am certain that her triumphs on the board certainly can never erase the tragedies of everyday life in Kampala, those victories speak to the greater influence of chess over culture across the globe. These days, Phiona speaks at events and conferences around the world promoting chess and human and women’s rights. Her struggle and ability to rise above the horrific conditions of her childhood home are a testament to the strength of the human spirit in overcoming the worst of conditions in life to find the best of conditions within ourselves. Fortunately, for those around the world that do not enjoy the pleasure of reading books, Walt Disney has optioned the rights to the book and is working on a movie adaptation to be released sometime around 2015.

The Games of Phiona Mutesi

Phiona still holds onto her dream of becoming a grand master one day and who knows, if I can manage to maintain a moderately successful chess blog, and maybe anything is possible? I found her story to be very inspiring and it is my hope that you will check out her games posted here on the blog, check out her book, and take time to learn and support the people of the struggling Kampala province.

The Best of iOS Chess

By Commander Exorcist

On August 4, 2014

In Reviews

Finding a decent chess app can be about as painful as pulling teeth. Even in the highly curated world of Apple’s App Store, the prevalence of junk chess apps is impossible to ignore. Most, if not all of these programs do not have enough reviews to earn a star rating in the store, so it is difficult for the average browser to pick a chess program that is suitable for their needs. To help my readers in finding the best iOS chess programs out there, I have compiled a list of the top five chess apps that I use on a daily basis for playing, studying, and following chess games around the world.

Name: Chess
Developer: Chess.com
Price: Free (w/in-app purchases)
App Store Rating: ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟
Download Size: 22.3MB (Download)

Chess is the official app for Chess.com, which is one of the largest chess social networks and gaming sites in the world. It includes access to live chess in a variety of formats including bullet, blitz, and standard with a multitude of different time controls. The Chess.com correspondence chess system is also accessible through the app as well as the Tactics Trainer and hundreds of Grandmaster video lessons.

The Chess.com app is very easy to use and although it may not be as polished as some of the other apps out there, it is definitely one of the more functional programs. Having a Chess.com premium membership unlocks the app’s full potential by allowing unlimited tactical problems and access to unlimited videos.

Name: Chess24
Developer: Chess24.com
Price: Free (w/in-app purchases)
App Store Rating: Unrated
Download Size: 40.6MB (Download)

The official app for Chess24 is very similar in functionality to that of the Chess.com app. It integrates nicely with the Chess24 system and provides access to live games including blitz and standard. It has an eloquent interface and the site is well known for broadcasting some of the largest chess events in the world. The app provides the user, with or without an account, access to many of these events in realtime.

As with the Chess.com app, Chess24 contains premium features that are only available for site members. However, the basic functions of the app remain intact with or without a membership. This app is great for people looking to diversify their online chess playing field.

Name: Chessbase Online
Developer: Chessbase.com
Price: $4.99
App Store Rating: ♟ ♟ ♙ ♙ ♙
Download Size: 34.5MB (Download)

This is the official app from Chessbase, the makers of the popular database software and the Fritz engine. I wish that I had rave reviews to give about this application, but aside from its ability to import and view PGN files, this app leaves me craving more. The Chessbase Online app touts itself as an online database viewer and it does have some great functionality and an ability to open PGN files from other iOS programs, but its design and overall usability feels clunky.

The only thing I use Chessbase Online for is to view PGN files because, even with its clunky user interface, it is still the best PGN file viewer I have found so far. Email me if anyone finds a better PGN solution for iOS than the Chessbase app and it will most likely earn this spot on the list.

Name: Chess Score Pad
Developer: ChessScorePad.com
Price: $6.99
App Store Rating: ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♙
Download Size: 3.1MB (Download)

I recently wrote an article on this site about the importance of finding the proper notation tool. Some people prefer written notation while others (myself included) prefer electronic scoresheets. In that article, I reviewed the PlyCounter, but also mentioned some additional mobile options for chess notation. I did not mention Chess Score Pad simply because was not awarded certification from the USCF. However, this application is perfect for annotating friendly chess games. There is also a Tournament Edition of this application that is a little more expensive and includes some extra features such as the requirement for the application to be run in Airplane mode.

Name: Shredder for iOS
Developer: ShredderChess.com
Price: $3.99
App Store Rating: ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♙
Download Size: 23MB (Download)

The final entry on this list is one of the strongest chess engines that you can get for the iOS platform. The official Shredder chess app has been tearing up players on iPhone and iPad for years now and although its user interface has not been updated in quite some time, it remains an attractive program for one-on-one iOS chess play. I especially enjoy the complete functionality that the app offers, which includes the ability to email complete PGN databases for inclusion in my Chessbase system and analysis in other programs. In addition to these functions, Shredder also includes basic engine analysis options to help a player improve his or her game.

This list is definitely not all-inclusive as some may have noticed that I ignored the Internet Chess Club, but certainly have no harsh feelings about their app. The most important thing to consider when searching on iOS or Android for a chess app is to understand what you are looking for. If you want an app that allows realtime play with others in a competitive or learning environment, then Chess.com, Chess24, PlayChess, ICC, and others will certainly quench your thirst. If you want a database system, the best options are still on desktop computers, but Chessbase Online and other apps are in hot pursuit.

Finding the Right Notation Tool

By Commander Exorcist

On July 25, 2014

In Reviews

Tracking game notation in chess means different things to different people. For some, it is a necessary evil for tracking the outcome of tournament matches, while for others it is a lifeblood of the game in which a player can re-live his or her past mistakes and triumphs. Regardless, tracking chess notation is essential for a player wanting to improve. For me, I rarely (if ever) play a chess game without somehow annotating it. Part of this might be my tendency toward obsessive behavior, but it also has to do with my desire to have a vast archive of my games in which I can reference for improvement. Chessbase 12 is my database system of choice, although I really wish they would make a verso for OS X because I hate having to run it in a Windows 7 virtual machine, but I digress.

Annotating a chess game in a setting such as a park or an office can be challenging, especially if you’re playing blitz or something faster. I began annotating my games with one of those $2 scoresheet pads from The Chess Store and eventually I switched to the Tabiya Chess Scorebook from Precision Chess. These books are available for about $10 on Amazon.com and are great for keeping track of an individual tournament or a thematic game set. However, as a technophile, I wanted some way to integrate technology into my game annotations. I was inspired recently when I visited the US Chess Federation (USCF) website and noticed the Monroi advertisement at the bottom of the page. Yes, unfortunately, sometimes internet advertising works. I had checked out Monroi some years ago and found their device to be significantly bulky in appearance and extremely overpriced. I was disappointed to see that in the few years since I had visited the site that nothing had really changed. There has not been a new version of the Monroi PCM in almost eight years and the price remains excruciatingly high for a handheld chess board.

I spent almost an entire day researching the Monroi system and eventually came across two of its competitors. I had never heard of these programs and it is most likely because one of them is new and the other is designed for older iPaq and Windows Mobile devices. eNotate is a digital chess program that installs onto a handheld computer running Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 or 6, such as the HP iPaq. The program locks out all other services while active, which prevents the user from switching back and forth between a chess engine and the notation program. The price is very attractive ($60), but it requires a handheld device, which the cheapest is the HP iPaq retailing on Amazon.com for around $100. I decided to pass on eNotate for the time being and see what else was available. That is when I discovered PlyCounter.

I had never heard of PlyCounter and that is because it is a relatively new device created by a chess player from Dallas, Texas. Not that its creator being from Texas is a real reason why I would never have heard of it, but I think it is important to note that this product is the result of American entrepreneurship in a market desperately in need of innovation. On its website, this little device boasts of its USCF certification and assures its buyers that it is currently undergoing review for FIDE certification as well. Currently, PlyCounter retails on its website for $169 and after comparing the cost of eNotate and a handheld device to install and use it, I decided to purchase a PlyCounter for annotating my games.

At first glance, the PlyCounter device can be a shock to the system, especially in a day of millimeter-thin iPhones, iPads, and laptops. It closely resembles an old-style Palm Pilot in size and form, and the display brings back some nostalgic memories for those of us that grew up playing the original Game Boy, Game Gear, or other devices with miniature screens and low resolution. If this device was being reviewed by a technology site or compared to some of the handheld sets being produced by Apple or Samsung today, it would be utterly destroyed for its appearance. For example, the PlyCounter is thicker than my Macbook Air closed, with a plastic cover over it. However, the world of chess technology is not driven by the need for higher resolutions, micro-thin designs, and unnecessary gimmick features. PlyCounter is a simple device that does exactly what it says it does, and it performs its functions exceptionally well.

PlyCounter is a personal chess manager that is very similar to the Monroi PCM, but with some added bonuses and without some of the additional features. The one thing that most people will notice is that it does not come with an SD card slot. Therefore, any chess games annotated on the device must be downloaded through a USB connection using the PlyCounter download software, which is available from the PlyCounter website. This is a minor inconvenience since the device’s connector uses a standard micro-USB adapter, which most people already own and use to recharge their Kindle or other similar devices. I keep one of these cables plugged in to my iMac, so it takes less than a minute to connect the PlyCounter and download my games in PGN format. This brings me to the next point, which is a lack of wifi. Wireless connectivity for transferring games would have been a welcome addition to the PlyCounter, but I can understand that it was most likely not included for security reasons. Without integrated wifi, the device is at the mercy of a laptop or desktop terminal to transfer and receive information without user input, so that reduces the chances that a person could adapt it to receive information from a chess engine on a wifi connection.

These are minor issues that I believe every device has to deal with. There are many positive aspects to the PlyCounter that have made it my notation tool of choice. First, it has an incredibly bright and responsive touch screen. The device comes with a telescoping stylus and additional styluses can be purchased from the PlyCounter website for $2 each. I highly recommend that anyone purchasing the device stock up on spare styluses…just in case! Moves are simple to input and in accordance with USCF and FIDE specs, the device allows for players to input incorrect moves. Therefore, where you click…your pieces will go. This is important to avoid the perception that the device is providing any assistance to tournament players by preventing them from making illegal moves. The tap-move methodology of the device takes a few minutes to get used to, but quickly becomes second nature after annotating a game or two. In addition to the responsive board, the device also includes a place for the player to input their USCF and FIDE ratings along with their federation ID numbers. Each device will come belonging to Ruy Lopez by default.

As you can tell, I am in love with my PlyCounter. It is simple, intuitive, and provides a relatively easy way to export my games to PGN for inclusion in Chessbase or to provide to a tournament director. For $169 I do not believe that you can do better for certified digital chess notation that this little device. If you want t spend an extra $150, the Monroi PCM includes an SD card and wireless connectivity, but the tradeoffs are probably not worth the extra dough unless you need something that is FIDE certified. I am confident that FIDE will eventually certify the PlyCounter and that it will become a mainstay at tournaments around the world. Rightfully so, it is the perfect companion for the chess annotator on the go or for someone looking for a practical way to record their chess notation. Chess notation tools are different for everyone, but I am convinced that unless you require a Monroi PCM to interface with a tournament system, the PlyCounter is the way to go.

Technical Specifications

Monroi PCM	PlyCounter
Size: 3.1in x 4.69in x 0.70in	Size: 4in x 2.54in x 0.75in
Display: 240 x 320 LCD	Display: 240 x 320 TFT
Weight: 7.05 ounces	Weight: 4.3 ounces
Memory: 4MB (50 games)	Memory: 4GB (10 million games)
Wireless: Yes	Wireless: No
Battery: Internal, USB-charged	Battery: Internal, USB-charged
File Format: PGN	File Format: PGN
Certification: USCF, FIDE	Certification: USCF, FIDE-pending
Price: $359	Price: $169
Purchase	Purchase

PlyCounter Final Verdict: ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

Product Review – Olive Tree Chess Set

By Commander Exorcist

On July 6, 2014

In Reviews

My wife and I took this week off to enjoy some relaxation time at home and to celebrate our third anniversary together. It was a wonderful week filled with hot tubs, movies without the kids, and chess! When we started dating, my wife won approximately 50% of the games we played together, but my studies have allowed me to move into an undefeated realm against her in recent games. Our most recent game, played last night, ended with mate in 15 moves. Her losses do not seem to bother her much as she seems to enjoy the time spent between the two of us over the board as much as I do, which is why I was pleased when my anniversary present arrived yesterday. Although it was three days late, it was completely understandable and well worth the wait.

This year, she decided to contribute to my growing collection of chess sets by buying the board pictured above: a hand-carved set made from an olive tree! I had seen a set like this one recently when I was shopping for a new set, but ultimately decided on my padauk and ebony board. Needless to say that I was thrilled when I opened the box, which indicated it came from a company called Elite Crafters in Greece. The chess pieces were the first thing I noticed as they were nestled on top of the styrofoam popcorn (boo!). As I worked through the multiple layers of packing tape and popcorn (boo!), I eventually pulled out the beautiful board and complimentary message wishing me a Happy Anniversary from my wife.

Without a doubt, the board is the most striking feature of this set. It is a composite of multiple pieces of olive tree trunk with the squares apparently burned into a separate piece of wood. The variations of tree growth adds significant individuality to the board. I would doubt that anyone else has the exact same edge configuration as my board, which makes it a nice heirloom piece. The texture of the board is fantastic. It has a grainy feeling and leaves the sensation that it is leaving oil deposits on your hands, but is not. It is a strange feeling, but adds a sense of awe to the beauty of the board.

The pieces are hand-carved as well and do take some time to get used to. Some of the pieces vary in size, such as the Bishops on this board, but the difference is not striking enough to take away from the elegance of the set. In fact, the size differential adds to the set’s rustic feel. As seen in the photos, the details of the pieces is minimal at best. Although I enjoy the minimalist appearance, I do think that some additional detail in the pieces would have complimented the intricate details of the board itself. However, the beauty of chess sets is that the pieces are not always married to the board. This is a board that I will keep for a long time, but could possibly be used with a different set of pieces sometime in the future.

Overall, this is a beautiful set that now sits in my living room so my wife and I can make moves at random times throughout the day. In my home, there is always a chess game being played. Now, we can play on a beautiful set made from an olive tree, which brings more beauty to our home, the game, and offers an additional connection between our faith and the game.

Final Verdict: ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♙