Before You Buy Chess Playing Software (non-Windows)

From Mark Weeks,
Your Guide to Chess.
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(August 2003) You can play chess on just about any platform that incorporates an advanced processor and operating system. That means Macs, Linux, and game consoles, but it also means PDAs like the Palm and the Pocket PC, as well as cell phones. Here we link to further info on commercial products. Our list is far from complete and subject to continual evolution. Do your research before you buy!

Macintosh

The Macintosh is the most important home computing alternative to the Windows family, so it's no surprise that a lot of good chess software is available. The first link below is the best gateway to chess software for the Mac, while the other links lead directly to the main commercial products.
• DMOZ: Games: Board Games: Abstract: Battle Games: Chess: Software: Mac
• HIARCS Home Page
• Sigma Chess 6 - Lite & Pro

Linux/Unix

Since Linux and Unix have always been better known for server software than as home computing platforms, there is no chess playing software on the commercial market. The available chess software is more suitable for the serious hobbyist or the determined do-it-yourselfer. If you fall in one of these categories, then you'll find some good choices.
• Chess Software for Linux by Jason Kroll (1998)
• Linux and Chess by Robert Pawlak (1999)
• GNU Chess 5.06

Game consoles

Video games have been with us since the start of the computing revolution and the competition among console manufacturers and game developers is as hot as the games themselves. You'll find chess products for all of the current major brands -- including Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox -- plus machines which are no longer made. When you're tired of arcade games, take a break with chess.
• Gamespot GameFinder (search on 'chess')
• Excalibur LCD Chess vs. GameBoy ChessMaster by Chris Kantack
• PlayStation 2 Chessmaster

Handheld chess computers

All chess computer manufacturers offer handheld versions in their product line. If your main interest in a handheld model is to play chess, these are the best alternative to the technologies mentioned next on this page. Follow the link to our companion article for info on the main manufacturers.
• Before You Buy a Chess Computer

PDAs

What's the difference between a PDA and a smart cell phone? Not much, as computing and telephony continue to converge. Chess playing software is written for a specific operating system, where the major families are Windows CE, Palm OS, and Symbian EPOC. Other programs are based on Qualcomm BREW and RIM Blackberry.
• DMOZ: Games: Board Games: Abstract: Battle Games: Chess: Software: PDA
• Little Monsters! by James E. DuBois (2002)
• ChessGenius (available on Palm, Pocket PC, Nokia, and Smartphone!)

Cell phones

The Smartphone is based on Windows CE, while the Nokia 7650, the Nokia 9210 Communicator, and the Sony Ericsson P800 are based on Symbian. The P800 is delivered with built-in chess software, which can be replaced by something more powerful if it's not strong enough for you.
• Chess for the Smartphone 2002
• Chess for the Nokia 7650
• Sony Ericsson P800 Review - Games

Palm

The Palm has some famous chess playing names available for it, including ChessGenius, Chess Tiger, and Chessmaster. Writing about Chess Tiger, former About Chess Guide David Dunbar said, 'By far and away the best chess program for Palm handhelds. I'm completely addicted! Fun and flexible.'
• DMOZ: Games: Board Games: Abstract: Chess: Software: PDA: PalmOS
• Chess Tiger for the Palm
• PocketChess Deluxe for Palm OS

PocketPC

The Pocket PC, based on Windows CE, might be the PDA platform with the largest number of different products to play chess. If it's not, it's catching up fast.
• DMOZ: Games: Board Games: Abstract: Chess: Software: PDA: PocketPC
• Pocket Fritz 2
• Pocket ChessPartner 1.0

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