Chess Software

ChessSometimes called the "Royal Game" or the "Game of Kings", Chess remains incredibly popular today, is prized for its simple rules yet endless strategic depth.

The following is a comprehensive collection of chess software titles for Windows and Macintosh computers, as well as for mobile devices.


Chess Software for Windows

  • Championship Chess Pro
    Whether you're an expert or a beginner, Championship Chess Pro is sure to please. If you are new to the game, take advantage of the interactive tutorial to show you how to play. Detailed statistics will help you track your success and optimize your strategy. Hundreds of game and scoring options allow you to customize the game to your taste. You can even create your own customized player personality and image for display while playing online.
  • Arasan Chess
    Arasan is a free chess program for Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Arasan includes an opening "book" with over 200,000 moves.
  • Chess Game World
    Chess Game World is a game developed for Chess fans. You can compete with real players all over the world or watch other games in progress. Play in the practice mode if you want to play with the computer.
  • Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition
    Whether you are new to Chess or a tournament-level player, Chessmaster allows you to master historys greatest game. Receive personalized instruction at the Chessmaster Academy. Grandmaster Larry Christiansen gives detailed advice on the best attacking strategy! The Chessmaster lineage of games has sold more than 4 million copies and is widely regarded as the best chess software ever. Learn how to master your opponent, how to find the best moves, and how to shut out distractions. Chessmaster will be your teacher, mentor, and ultimate opponent.
  • ChessRally
    The premiere chess game for Windows. With ChessRally, you can play chess with your friends and family with more flexibility than any other chess software available. Join an Online Rally Room (Chess Server) to play or watch chess games, engage in lively chat, and just have tons of fun.
  • Fritz Chess
    Fritz is your chess coach, mentor and opponent. Experience playing with Fritz for the ultimate chess challenge. Train with the best! Let world champion Garry Kasparov teach you the secrets of the pros using cutting edge technology. Enjoy amazing 3D graphics, chess rooms and virtual opponents. A vast host of exciting fearutes and functions await players of all skill levels including world class coaching. Hours of exciting video instruction featuring famous world champions that will show you step by step how to win! Play the game of kings as the king of the game!
  • Grand Master Chess
    The new age chess simulator is here! This chess simulator is extremely realistic! The distinctive feature of the game is thoroughly worked 3D models. The pieces are reflecting from the lacquered board and even have shadows! Besides, the player can choose the piece and board skins to one's liking - completely metallic pieces, for instance. The move-choosing algorithm of the game has a flexible tuning system and allows to choose the mode best fitting your abilities. You can play chess with the real person sitting next door to you or on another continent!
  • Hoyle Puzzle & Board GamesHoyle Puzzle & Board Games
    Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games provides all of your favorite classic board and table games, with advanced features to enhance your gaming experience. Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games offers a game for every player and a game for every night! Get ahead faster with In-Game Tutorials that walk you through the fun, step-by-step. With animated opponents who talk back and speak their minds - now it's more than just a game. Bend your mind around more than 60 challenging board and puzzles games, including Backgammon, Battleship, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, Mahjong Tiles, Mancala, Pachisi, Reversi, Scrabble, Yacht, and more family favorites! Includes both Windows and Mac versions.
  • j2chess
    j2chess is a nice chess program that is written entirely in the Java programming language and consequently runs on any platform where a suitable Java Runtime Environment is available .
  • KChess
    The KChess family of educational chess programs offers a range of features to suit your computer and your needs. All are designed for both beginner and expert alike, to add to your ability and enjoyment of the game.
  • NagaSkaki
    NagaSkaki is a free, fully functional chess program for Windows.
  • Net Chess
    Net Chess lets you play chess against computer or live opponents. Have fun playing this ancient game, and so you don't spend too much time planning your next move, you should set time limits for the game. Pieces and board are attractive and digital sound effects add to the fun. Options let you pick from four pieces and squres sets; choose from ten animation speed settings; and much more. Require Windows client.
  • pouetChess
    pouetChess is a free, open-source 3D chess game for beginners.
  • Slow Chess Blitz
    Slow Chess Blitz is a strong free chess program. It includes Internet/Network Play Support -- set up a server, have your friends connect, and play them.


Chess Software for Macintosh

  • Arasan Chess
    Arasan is a free chess program for Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Arasan includes an opening "book" with over 200,000 moves.
  • ExaChess
    ExaChess is a full-featured chess database for the Macintosh. You can save, organize, and replay chess games downloaded from the Internet in "PGN" format. You can use it to organize, analyze, and annotate your own games, or use it to play against, or watch matches between, many plug-in chess engines (Crafty, MacChess, Sigma Chess, Screamer, etc).
  • Hoyle Puzzle & Board GamesHoyle Puzzle & Board Games
    Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games provides all of your favorite classic board and table games, with advanced features to enhance your gaming experience. Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games offers a game for every player and a game for every night! Get ahead faster with In-Game Tutorials that walk you through the fun, step-by-step. With animated opponents who talk back and speak their minds - now it's more than just a game. Bend your mind around more than 60 challenging board and puzzles games, including Backgammon, Battleship, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, Mahjong Tiles, Mancala, Pachisi, Reversi, Scrabble, Yacht, and more family favorites! Includes both Windows and Mac versions.
  • j2chess
    j2chess is a nice chess program that is written entirely in the Java programming language and consequently runs on any platform where a suitable Java Runtime Environment is available .
  • Sigma Chess
    Sigma Chess is a freeware, master strength Macintosh chess program for Mac OS X. It contains many features, including a true perspective 3D board, database support, PGN/EPD support, basic desktop publishing, endgame databases, novice levels and much more.
  • Vektor3
    Vektor3 is a chess program for Mac OS X. Its features include a customizable chess board with multiple piece sets, multiple documents, multithreading, support for variations, annotation editor with text styles, move annotations and diagrams, several playing levels, opening book, game analysis, position editor, PGN import and export, HTML export, speech, multiple undo and redo.


Chess Software for PalmOS

  • Championship Chess Pro for PalmOS
    Embrace the challenge of mastering this timeless strategy game today! Whether you're an expert or a beginner, our endearing characters and exciting game variations will keep you entertained for years to come.
  • ChessGenius for PalmOS
    Chess Genius is an award-winning chess program that is packed with features for beginners and experts alike.
  • PocketChess Deluxe for PalmOS
    Handmark's award-winning PocketChess Deluxe has everything to challenge and entertain new and returning players. Easily customize your difficulty-level, personalize your game play, create color schemes, and more.
  • Rampart Chess for PalmOS
    If you're a beginner, or ready to take on Garry Kasparov, Rampart Chess is the Palm chess program for you. It features high resolution, beautifully-rendered chess pieces, a very powerful chess engine with 5 levels of game play, a two-player mode to challenge your friends, and a fully editable chessboard to set up legendary chess games or puzzles.


Chess Software for PocketPC

  • 0rneta's Chess Mobile
    Chess Mobile is the classic strategy game of Chess for Windows Mobile based devices. With multiple difficulty levels this game appeals to everyone from the novice chess player to the advanced chess player.
  • Championship Chess Pro for PocketPC
    Embrace the challenge of mastering this timeless strategy game today! Whether you're an expert or a beginner, our endearing characters and exciting game variations will keep you entertained for years to come.
  • Chess Genius for PocketPC
    Chess Genius is an award-winning chess program that is packed with features for beginners and experts alike.
  • IntelliChess
    IntelliChess is an advanced chess software for PocketPC that features strong AI and the ability to play over the Internet. Want to play with a strong computer opponent, or with a friend using handheld as a chess board?
  • PocketChess for PocketPC
    PocketChess has everything to challenge and entertain new and returning players. Easily customize your difficulty-level, personalize your game play, create color schemes, and more.

Last Update: May 20th, 2011