Chess Free – one of the Best Chess games in Google Play!
by Antonio Wells
Oct 24, 2012 10:55 AM –
Install
Chess Free is Google Play top developer, AI Factory’s, rendition of the age old classic board game of Chess. You play against a computer AI, with difficulty levels from novice to expert or you can pass and play with friends on the same device. It’s incredibly smooth, read why it’s one of the top ranked Chess games for Android!
Price: Free
Tested on: Samsung Galaxy S3
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Polished game of Chess for Android phones and tablets!
- Various difficulties; novice to expert, plus ability to set handicaps!
- For novice players or those learning, the game features hints that instruct you on the best next move!
- View a history of your moves in a game plus overall statistics!
Cons
- Computer AI “thinking” takes an awfully long time.
Features:
Lately, I’ve been getting my kicks in Chess and this version is a great skill sharpener for myself (in between turn-based challenges in Chess Mates) as I set my battles at the expert level without handicaps in order to learn to be a stronger player (though I’ve been getting my butt kicked against computer AI… it’s just that tough). Brought to us by AI Factory, whom has a host of classic board and card games in the Google Play store, Spades Free is next on my list. It is a challenge because it uses the Treebeard Chess engine as used in Microsoft’s MSN Chess. You can play at various difficulty levels gauged from novice beginners at level 1 to expert at level 10. Games can even be set on a timer to perform moves by toggling in the options menu. It has features that encourages players learning the strategy game as you can set handicaps on pieces and even see hints from the computer on the next best move. Even more encouraging is the default setting that allows you to see the possible moves the computer may do, which helps you learn better strategy. Other features include different game board themes, you can see a history of your moves in addition to overall stats at all levels of gaming you’ve played. Lastly, you can set up a game to pass and play against a friend on the same device.
You’ll notice this version of Chess gaming is very polished with buttery smooth animations of the game board and elements. My only gripe is that the computer AI may be a bit too much like a human, meaning it takes it an awfully long time to “think” about its next move (like a real person). A minor gripe is that you cannot position your piece and think about a move then click a button to commit to it, rather it accepts your movement as committed. Experts won’t find this as a fuss but it can irritate intermediate on down.
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Chess Free Gameplay 1
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Chess Free Gameplay 2
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Chess Free Game Hints
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Chess Free 2 Player Mode with Friends
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Chess Free Alternate Game Board
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Chess Free Play History
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Chess Free Animated Start Screen
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Chess Free Stats
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Chess Free Game Rules
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Chess Free Game Options
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Chess Free Save PGN
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Chess Free Match Settings
Fun Factor & Addictive:
If you enjoy the game of Chess, you will enjoy this game as it is the standard game against a computer AI, yet with a few advanced features. Furthermore, the nature of the game is quite sticky for those who play. I think Chess Free misses a slight opportunity to be even more addictive in that the computer AI can think for a lengthy time and if you get tired of waiting and exit the game, it does not feature notifications to remind you when it’s your move and return to play.
Graphics:
The graphics pop, it features up to four different game boards to choose from plus the transitions and animations are buttery smooth and slick!
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
Chess Free features a few sound effects in the background. I tend to mute them in the options menu as they’re unnecessary.