Chess--another time waster

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Do you play? I haven't played much since high school (20 years ago), but recently, I downloaded a chess widget and started to play a bit late at night. It is really a basic, no-frills game (it was free after all), and I beat it on the second try, so obviously it is a fairly easy level. Can anyone recommend a good cheap (or free) computer chess game that would have some decent features (like some indication when you or your opponent are in check, like a display of captured pieces, etc.)?

[Joe_Campbell]

I don't have any recommendations, but I do have a gorgeous carved Russian chess set from when my dad was doing missionary work there. All the pawns are either little Lenins or Washingtons! I haven't played in ages. I wouldn't mind again, if I had more time.

[ChamberNut]

Do you play? I haven't played much since high school (20 years ago), but recently, I downloaded a chess widget and started to play a bit late at night. It is really a basic, no-frills game (it was free after all), and I beat it on the second try, so obviously it is a fairly easy level. Can anyone recommend a good cheap (or free) computer chess game that would have some decent features (like some indication when you or your opponent are in check, like a display of captured pieces, etc.)?

XB, this is a great site to play chess.    It has all of those features you are looking for.  It's free to play up to 8 games at a time.  If you want more, you can have various tier memberships.  There are also leagues and tournaments you can join, or just send a challenge to someone.

GameKnot

[Brahmsian]

XB, this is a great site to play chess.    It has all of those features you are looking for.  It's free to play up to 8 games at a time.  If you want more, you can have various tier memberships.  There are also leagues and tournaments you can join, or just send a challenge to someone.

GameKnot

Anyone play chess?  I hadn't played in over a year, but just started again!  Anyone who plays chess and cares to join in to a game, sign up with Gameknot, for free!

Throw me a challenge, I'm 'catmando'   

GameKnot

[Opus106]

Anyone play chess?  I hadn't played in over a year, but just started again!  Anyone who plays chess and cares to join in to a game, sign up with Gameknot, for free!

Throw me a challenge, I'm 'catmando'   

GameKnot

I wonder if they'll still reject my e-mail address and not let me log in.

[Brahmsian]

I wonder if they'll still reject my e-mail address and not let me log in.

I remember you telling me this.  Bummer    Not sure why?  There are players from all over the world, including India.

[Opus106]

I remember you telling me this.  Bummer    Not sure why?  There are players from all over the world, including India.

Well, whaddya know -- they let me in this time.

Addendum: I'm g1tof3. Apparently, I'm not allowed to send PMs until I've played for a sufficiently long time or subscribed to their service premiumly.

[Brahmsian]

Well, whaddya know -- they let me in this time.

Sweet!  I'll send you a challenge, but I think I have too many games going on right now. 

[Opus106]

Sweet!  I'll send you a challenge, but I think I have too many games going on right now. 

No hurry, my friend. You can lose to me later.

[Brahmsian]

No hurry, my friend. You can lose to me later.

Are you a Grandmaster? 

[Opus106]

Are you a Grandmaster? 

No, but I am related to the current World Champion. (No, I actually mean it.) It's been a long time, however, since I've played. I used to a little, in my school days, and that's good decade away right now. And not that I was any good back then. 

[Brahmsian]

No, but I am related to the current World Champion. (No, I actually mean it.) It's been a long time, however, since I've played. I used to a little, in my school days, and that's good decade away right now. And not that I was any good back then. 

You are related to the World Champion? 

[MN Dave]

Ah, good old Viswanathan Anand.

[Carolus]

Big players
(I think that she was Elizabetha Gilels)

[Brahmsian]

Big players
(I think that she was Elizabetha Gilels)

Yes, I remember reading that both Oistrakh and Prokofiev were avid and serious chess players.  And, I believe Oistrakh defeated Sergei Sergeyevich in this tournament.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

So, now that this thread is back from the dead, I'll have to add that I discovered that Windows Vista has a pretty slick, good-looking chess game built in. I've progressed to difficulty level 3 (of 10), where I'm holding my own agains the machine. I guess I'd progress faster if I played more than twice a month.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Sometimes I play on freechess.org.

Plus if you are on Windows, there's nothing more flexible and beautiful than the www.babaschess.net client. It has it all. It's beautiful and has a lot of automation and scripting possibilities.

[springrite]

I have never lost playing chess in my entire life.



I won my first game and promptly retired on the spot, with my perfect record in tact. 

[drogulus]

So, now that this thread is back from the dead, I'll have to add that I discovered that Windows Vista has a pretty slick, good-looking chess game built in. I've progressed to difficulty level 3 (of 10), where I'm holding my own agains the machine. I guess I'd progress faster if I played more than twice a month.

      I play so badly that I don't want to play. I don't understand it.

      I'm smart....not dumb, like everybody says!

     

[mahler10th]

Sometimes I play on freechess.org.
Plus if you are on Windows, there's nothing more flexible and beautiful than the www.babaschess.net client. It has it all. It's beautiful and has a lot of automation and scripting possibilities.

I went there after reading this (www.babaschess.net) and ndownloaded the game and some add-ons.  I am completely hopeless at chess, though I know all the moves.  I can't even get past level 2 with the Windows game.  But I do love chess, I even like spectating games to see what they're up to.

Thanks for the Babachess link.  It's great and it has been put to use.