FunwithChess

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  • Fun with Chess should appeal to kids and other chess beginners

    by 
    Mel Martin
    Mel Martin
    06.07.2013

    Fun with Chess is an iOS app that is a nice match for kids wanting to learn how to play one of the world's greatest games. It is not a typical chess experience, because it adds in factors of luck which limits your piece's moves with a roll of the dice. The game keeps score, so you can play another person and decide a winner at any time. You can play the computer, another person face-to-face or remotely. There is a built-in chess tutorial, and a linked video with more information. To make Fun with Chess more appealing to beginners, games are limited to six pieces and six applicable rules. I suppose one could complain that this is a chess variant, rather than a standard game, but I think it is less intimidating to someone just starting out, and a good way to learn the rules. %Gallery-190591% I played the game against the computer a few times, and while it is not playing at grand master level, it gave me a pretty good run. I did not try remote play. Fun with Chess is free for a limited time, so grab it if you are interested before that changes. There are separate iPhone and iPad versions. I tested the iPad app. Another option for beginning chess players is Chess Prime HD which is also free. It shows legal moves and has other support for novices. It is a more traditional chess game, and allows play against the computer and a human opponent.