Chess

Board · 1-2 players

How to play

Classic chess on a walnut or marble board with graceful, hand-drawn-style pieces. A six-level computer opponent, from Rookie to Master, grows with you: earn stars as you beat each level. When you are stuck, a hint arrow shows the way, and you can take back your mistakes. Play a friend on the same device, or sharpen your tactical eye with mate-in-one and mate-in-two puzzles, plus a fresh puzzle of the day.

1. 1Tap a piece: the squares it can reach show as dots, and pieces it can capture get a ring.
2. 2Tap the target square or drag the piece there; when a pawn reaches the last rank, you choose its promotion.
3. 3Trap the enemy king in an attack it cannot escape: checkmate wins. Stalemate, threefold repetition, the fifty-move rule and insufficient material are draws.
4. 4If you are stuck, Hint draws a green arrow for the best move and Undo takes your last move back. In puzzles, find the right move while the opponent defends as stubbornly as possible.

About Chess

Chess is the centuries-old board game in which both sides start with identical armies and luck plays no part at all. This board was built to be a comfortable starting point for someone learning the moves and for someone who has played for years. Every rule is in place, including castling, en passant and pawn promotion, and each kind of draw is recognised separately, so you always see clearly why a game ended.

The computer opponent's six levels feel distinctly different. Rookie, Beginner and Curious deliberately make occasional mistakes and leave tactical chances on the board, so a newcomer can still taste a real win. At Club Player the errors become rare, while Master and Grandmaster think more deeply on every move and rarely hand out gifts. Wins at each level are recorded as stars.

The puzzle section is a different kind of training altogether. Well-known patterns such as the back-rank mate, smothered mate, epaulette mate and fianchetto mate wait for you, alongside positions that call for a sacrifice or a quiet move. It suits anyone who wants to use the board not only to win but also to learn to recognise those patterns.

Strategy and tips

• Before every move ask three questions: what does my opponent's last move threaten, do I have any undefended pieces, and do I have a check, a capture or a threat of my own? That habit alone prevents most losses at the lower levels.
• In the opening, control the centre with pawns, develop knights and bishops early and castle your king into a safe corner. Bringing the queen out too soon only makes her a target.
• At the lower levels the computer sometimes leaves material hanging. Scanning for unprotected pieces after each of its moves is the easiest way to catch those chances.
• In mate puzzles, look at forcing moves first: checks, captures and threats. The defender always picks the most stubborn reply, so account for every escape square rather than a single answer.
• Use hints to understand rather than just to move. Before playing the suggested move, try to work out on your own what it is threatening.
• In the endgame even a single extra pawn can be enough to win. Once pieces come off, bring your king to the centre and push your passed pawn toward promotion, but watch for stalemate when cornering the enemy king.

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose an unfinished game?

No. An unfinished game against the computer or a friend is saved, and you can pick it up from the same position with the resume option in the menu.

Which level should I start with?

If you have only just learned the rules, start at Rookie and move up a level once you win comfortably. Master and Grandmaster are meant to challenge experienced players.

Can I play with the black pieces?

Yes. The side button lets you choose white or black, and you can also flip the board and switch between the wood and marble themes.

What is the daily puzzle?

Each day a new position opens that asks for mate in one or two moves. The results screen shows what you solved and how many wrong attempts it took.