Chess for Android

4.2
109K reviews
10M+
Downloads
Content rating
PEGI 3
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About this game

Chess for Android consists of a chess engine and a GUI. The application accepts moves through the touch screen, trackball, or keyboard (e2e4 pushes the king pawn, e1g1 castles king side, etc.). An optional "move coach" highlights valid user moves during input and last played engine move. Full game navigation enables users to correct mistakes or analyze games. Games import and export as FEN/PGN to and from the clipboard or via sharing, load and save as file, or are set up through a position editor. A draw by stalemate, insufficient material, the fifty move rule, or threefold repetition is recognized. The engine plays at various levels (including random, against itself in auto-play, or free-play, where the game can be used as a "magnetic chessboard"). The user can play either side and, independently, view the board from the perspective of white or black.

The application supports the Universal Chess Interface (UCI) and Chess Engine Communication Protocol (WinBoard and XBoard), which allows users to play against more powerful third party engines or even play tournaments between engines. Engines are imported in Android Open Exchange format (OEX), in Android Chessbase compatible format, or directly from SD card. Engine setup features time control, pondering, infinite analysis, hash tables, multiple threads, endgame tablebases, and opening test suites.

The application connects to an external electronic chessboard (Certabo, Chessnut, ChessUp, DGT, House of Staunton, or Millennium) and supports online play on FICS (Free Internet Chess Server) or ICC (Internet Chess Club).

Online manual at:
https://www.aartbik.com/android_manual.php

PERMISSION NOTES:
You can freely disable permissions you don't want to grant, the rest of the application will continue to work:
+ Storage (Files and Media): only required when you want to load and save games to SD Card
+ Location: only required if you want to connect to DGT Pegasus/Chessnut Air, which requires a Bluetooth LE scan
Updated on
Jun 22, 2024

Data safety

Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
No data shared with third parties
Learn more about how developers declare sharing
No data collected
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Ratings and reviews

4.1
102K reviews
nivedita chakraborty
June 18, 2024
I would have given 5 stars bc its such a great game but there was 1 teeny tiny problem where if i open the resign-draw menu the resign works pretty well but if i offer a draw the draw gets instantly refused even if im playing in free play. *Suggestion:* Please try to fix it and maybe make another menu type thingy where the opponent can either accept or refuse draw.
8 people found this review helpful
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Aart Bik
June 22, 2024
Thanks for the suggestion. Other than resigning, the offer draw actually only works for imported engines (the built-in engine will always keep on playing). But having the option to accept during free play is a good one.
lIlIlIIl
September 27, 2024
This app doesn't create a shortcut on home screen after install. Problem not related to device - all other apps do the shortcuts. Even though the app can't be launched, it's still draining battery like crazy.
9 people found this review helpful
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Carlos Jesus Amador
March 11, 2021
It's a cool app. I can't get enough of it but it's extremely hard. There aren't any levels. You can't get better because every move you make it countered by a master move. It doesn't matter how much you "undo" because the engine will find a way to win. It finally "allowed" me to gain a material advantage enough to win--almost 30 moves later. I think it got back into master mode as soon as it gave away the advantage. It's fun to play (eyes mode) but sucks if you're looking to build confidence. ☹
53 people found this review helpful
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What's new

Added support for IChessOne Foldable Electronic Chessboard (BT)