Questions tagged [software]

Questions about chess-related software, but not including chess-playing engines; there's a more specific tag for those questions, the [engines] tag.

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13 votes
6 answers
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Is there a free online chess repertoire tool?

Is there a free online chess repertoire tool? It can be some place where you register, save variations and comments, and navigate with a board what you do. I was used to chessply, but apparently it ...
Alessandro Della Corte's user avatar
15 votes
6 answers
4k views

What would be the elo of a computer program that plays at random?

What would be the Elo of a computer program that plays random moves? For the sake of simplicity, assume that he never asks for a draw or resigns and never accepts a draw offer.
fotipute's user avatar
  • 175
15 votes
5 answers
3k views

Are there positions which cannot be properly analyzed by any computer?

Are there positions in chess which every engines is unable to analyze properly ? Maybe calm positions with a positional advantage the engines do not recognize ? Or positions won in the long term ...
Peter's user avatar
  • 3,389
12 votes
3 answers
4k views

Computer evaluations: How trustworthy are they?

Fritz 12 with Rybka gave a friend of mine an evaluation of +3 for white in this endgame position, [Title "White to move"] [FEN "8/8/8/3k3p/3P3K/2P3R1/8/7r w - - 0 1"] which turned out to be a draw. ...
chubbycantorset's user avatar
42 votes
12 answers
29k views

Is there any free software to automatically analyze and annotate games?

I'm looking for free software that automatically analyzes and annotates chess games (post-mortem), preferably marking blunders, suggesting good alternatives, pointing out missed tactics (forks, pins, ...
Hugo Sereno Ferreira's user avatar
20 votes
5 answers
18k views

Chess program for Linux/Unix console

For reasons I'd rather not get into, what chess programs work well on the console (ie. does not require X Windows)? Something with an ASCII visualization of the board would be incredibly helpful (I'm ...
Dafydd Crosby's user avatar
15 votes
6 answers
2k views

Is the dead position problem solvable?

In chess, there are some dead positions (FIDE Laws of Chess). 5.2.2 The game is drawn when a position has arisen in which neither player can checkmate the opponent’s king with any series of legal ...
user avatar
9 votes
6 answers
19k views

Looking for online Swiss pairing software

I would appreciate if somebody could recommend a good Swiss pairing program. I'd prefer online version with multi-language option and free version but cheap one is also good. I've found http://www....
gabor.harsanyi's user avatar
55 votes
10 answers
78k views

Is there a good online opening training software?

There are a lot of websites to train your tactics, but I can't find any for opening repertoire. I am looking for something similar to 'Chess Position Trainer' but online, where I can import a pgn file ...
Joe's user avatar
  • 4,301
25 votes
4 answers
22k views

Is there a freely available online 7 piece Endgame tablebase?

The only 7 piece site I heard about is http://tb7.chessok.com/ , and upon registration I am able to setup various positions with 2-6 pieces . However as soon as I setup a position with 7 piece, I get ...
Joe's user avatar
  • 4,301
18 votes
6 answers
7k views

Software for opening repertoire practice

I am developing an opening repertoire for white based on d4 and c4. I think this is going all right, but what I am looking for is a chess program that can exercise my repertoire knowledge. ...
firtydank's user avatar
  • 5,757
14 votes
1 answer
68k views

How to download Stockfish and install it on the Fritz/ChessBase GUI?

I'm on Windows 8. I have the Fritz/ChessBase GUI since I bought both Fritz 12 and Houdini 3 Pro. I would like to know how exactly can I download and install the free latest version (and most powerful ...
Fate's user avatar
  • 4,726
13 votes
7 answers
10k views

How can I scan a chessboard and obtain its FEN?

I am planning to create a chess puzzle book for beginners. Diagrams need to be published in the book. Right now I have all the materials in PDF. But I need a software to create diagrams for a ...
Unni Krishnan's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
568 views

How do you search a chess database for exchange sacrifices?

I am looking for a way within any of the common chess packages to search for a specific maneuver, such as a rook capturing a protected. bishop. I've heard of CQL, but have never used it. I am curious ...
Joe's user avatar
  • 4,301
4 votes
1 answer
172 views

Online tool for chess analysis: comment, add variations, insert diagrams, print

Sometimes I like to analyze and annotate my own games and print them on paper. This would usually include commenting some moves, adding variations, inserting diagrams for certain positions, etc. I ...
Danijel's user avatar
  • 193
3 votes
1 answer
309 views

Chess programs that mimic some amateurs

Is there such a thing as a chess program that at random times can vary it's strength of play between say a beginner and an expert? Or maybe a program that a certain random times makes subtle or ...
201044's user avatar
  • 359
2 votes
1 answer
772 views

ChessDB databases import

I've just installed the ChessDB software hosted at SourceForge. While discovering the software I see that the databases that come with the software are empty and I would like to know how to import ...
mounaim's user avatar
  • 392
1 vote
2 answers
172 views

Changing UCI output to include piece names

UCI output from engines is generally raw in the form of g1f3 and e2e4 representing Nf3 and Pe4. One engine I saw (lozza) sends its PV output with the piece names. Others, like Stockfish, don't ...
Jess Ortiz's user avatar
33 votes
18 answers
35k views

Are there mobile chess tutoring/training apps for Android or iPhone?

I'm looking for a Chess tutoring/teaching app that I can dip in and out of on my phone. At the moment I use Shredder Chess to practice when on the move (which basically involves repeating the puzzles ...
Totero's user avatar
  • 1,708
17 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why can a chess move improve the chance of winning, according to the computer?

When watching the Sinquefield cup on http://grandchesstour.org/, it is possible to try different moves qnd see how the computer evaluates the position after your suggested move. Most moves will ...
jonasfh's user avatar
  • 273
17 votes
3 answers
2k views

High-quality (not bitmap) diagram software

I'm looking for software that can take FEN and generate a high-quality diagram, in PDF, Postscript, Windows metafile, or something else that will look good at 1200x1200 dpi or better. I thought the ...
Andrew Lazarus's user avatar
17 votes
11 answers
27k views

Alternatives to chessbase on OS X

Most of my chess preparation and studying used to revolve around ChessBase products. I stored my databases and notes in .cbh files, used computers with the ChessBase interface to study and do ...
Andrew Latham's user avatar
17 votes
3 answers
3k views

What software can I use to self-assess my own Elo rating?

What software (preferably free) can I use to do a self assessment to determine my own Elo rating?
Binoj Antony's user avatar
  • 3,351
15 votes
3 answers
5k views

How does engine strength scale with hardware?

Say I run Komodo on my 4-core machine. How much stronger would Komodo be if I used an 8-core machine? A 40-core machine? A 4000-core machine? Is there a general relation for this? Also, does this ...
Allure's user avatar
  • 26.1k
15 votes
1 answer
11k views

What is Syzygy tablebases?

I just want to know in simple language exactly, What the Syzygy tablebases are, Why they are used, What are their advantages, disadvantages?
R K's user avatar
  • 645
14 votes
8 answers
12k views

Chess software to analyze games

My son is into chess and plays chess tournaments. I would like to know what good chess software is available to analyze his games. The software should analyze move-by-move and should point out weak/...
technewbie's user avatar
12 votes
7 answers
5k views

Is there a computer program that generates quality chess problems?

Is there a chess engine that automatically generates quality chess problems. For example I will input 3 - it produces a mate in 3 problem. But the problem shouldn't be so obvious that one can solve in ...
fercis's user avatar
  • 221
10 votes
4 answers
3k views

Why does Lichess only tell me my "inaccuracies", "mistakes", and "blunders", and not e.g. my "brilliancies"?

A computer analysis of a game in Lichess lists your "inaccuracies", "mistakes", and "blunders". An example is below: What I don't understand is why Lichess doesn't point out my good moves. It seems ...
Rebecca J. Stones's user avatar
10 votes
7 answers
3k views

How can I generate legal random chess setups?

Is there a free online website that attempts to generate "legal" random chess setups X amount of moves into the game?
blunders's user avatar
  • 4,137
10 votes
1 answer
1k views

Downloading Games From Lichess

I'd like to be able to automate downloading specific games that have been played on Lichess. Is there any software available that, if given useful information such as the Lichess usernames, colours, ...
Ian Bush's user avatar
  • 4,357
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

Creating a Opening Lines Book in ' tree-like' format

I came across this Opening tree graph question where a very elegant Opening tree as displayed. Is there a way I could make a personal opening book in this format? If yes, then which software should ...
AKP2002's user avatar
  • 1,098
8 votes
2 answers
3k views

Simple programs for recording chess games -- Like ECTool -- for Ubuntu and Windows

I should be able to google this, but I don't know what the name for this item is: I'm looking for a simple program that can be used to record and play back a chess game. I'm not looking for a ...
Eric Wilson's user avatar
  • 1,257
7 votes
2 answers
7k views

Since each engine has its own style of play… which engines are more positional/strategic and which engines are more sharp/tactical?

I’ve heard that each engine has its own style of play. Some are more positional and strategic, while others are more sharp and tactical. And so my question is: could you roughly sort the following ...
Fate's user avatar
  • 4,726
7 votes
1 answer
627 views

What software is good for deliberate practice in specific areas?

Is there software that tracks unassisted game play and categorizes player's strengthens and weaknesses in a way that allows the player to focus on the most valuable deliberate area practice relative ...
blunders's user avatar
  • 4,137
6 votes
4 answers
927 views

Is there a software that analyses games through voice, telling you about moves and what you should have done, like Power Chess 98?

Almost 20 years ago there was a game called Power Chess 98 from Sierra. After every game you played, this sensual voice would analyze move by move telling you what you should have done, etc. It was ...
Eduard Roberts's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
6k views

Where can I download a 6 man endgame tablebase

I just cannot seem to find a link to a 6 man download endgame tablebase from syzygy. If anyone could provide me with a link it would be greatly appreciated.
BruceDeluxe's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
4k views

How to flip board in scid?

I am using scid version 4.6.2. How can I flip the board such that I get black's point of view? There should be a flip button somewhere, but I do not see it: I've enabled all toolbar buttons as well:
Ton van den Heuvel's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
5k views

Convert ChessBase format to PGN on Linux [duplicate]

I have some ChessBase-format database files, and I would like to convert them to PGN so thatlinux-compatible programs (like scid, chessdb, etc.) could read it. Since I am running on linux and not ...
Amr Ayman's user avatar
  • 406
5 votes
2 answers
899 views

Moves to test a notation generator

I've made a small program that takes a list of moves in ICCF notation and translates them to the following: SAN FAN LAN MAN RAN CRAN Smith Descriptive Coordinate ICCF For example, a starting move of ...
TigerhawkT3's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
103 views

What resources are there for connecting engines to play automatically on remote servers?

What resources are there, e.g. tutorials, for connecting engines to play automatically on remote servers such as ICC? There are certain opening variations that I want to have a strong engine test and ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

In ChessBase 12, when viewing an Opening Tree, why do all the games always stop near move 26?

I have ChessBase 12 64Bit. To create an Opening Tree I do the following steps: I click on "Mega Database 2014". I filter all the 5.8 millions games like I want (for example, taking only the games ...
Fate's user avatar
  • 4,726
5 votes
2 answers
431 views

Calculate the first N unknown moves of a chess game

Greetings fellow chess friends, Here is a quick idea that came to my mind. I am interested in writing a software that is able to calculate and/or guess the first n unknown moves of a given chess ...
Adrenaxus's user avatar
  • 193
5 votes
4 answers
744 views

How to determine objectively if a move is passive or aggressive?

I'm doing research about how different conditions or situations affect the decision making process in chess. For example if the opponent's ELO ranking affects the average time used for every move. In ...
Guillermo Mendoza's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
3k views

Chess software to evaluate move and give marks

Well, I am new here and I am not quite sure whether this question is appropriate here. In case it is inappropriate, please tell me the correct site for it.Well, my question is : I want a chess ...
User Not Found's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
585 views

What is %eval syntax in PGN

I've seen two formats of [%eval] syntax in PGN: [%eval 250,5] meaning white is +2.5 pawn up at depth 5 [%eval +0.25] means white is 0.25 pawn up Is any of those mentioned by some PGN standard? Which ...
Michal's user avatar
  • 231
4 votes
0 answers
379 views

Chessmaster: Modern version of lectures?

Thing 1: This lichess study says Examining positions from Josh Waitzkin's academy, Larry Christiansen's attacking chess, and other exercises or games from this (now) ancient chess program in light of ...
BCLC's user avatar
  • 1
4 votes
3 answers
429 views

How do you find the highest-rated win of a certain player?

I'm looking for a tool where I can input a name (e.g. Hans Niemann, Levy Rozman, Eric Rosen etc.) and it will tell me the highest rated player they beat in chess (FIDE rated games). I appreciate any ...
fartgeek's user avatar
  • 605
4 votes
4 answers
494 views

SCID not recognising transpositions

I like going through open variations and taking notes and saving them in my database. However I have a problem. When I get to two of the exact same board positions and same color to play, if I got ...
dane m's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Chess GUI showing variations with arrows except SCID?

Is there anything else except Scid / Scid vs PC that shows variations with arrows and also allows you to chose any variation simply by dragging the piece on the board?
Ahu Lee's user avatar
  • 247
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can I host lichess server to my local machine to use the study offline?

Lichess is a free, Ad-free and Open-Source chess server. To me, it has the best STUDY option over the internet. I am thinking whether it's possible or not to host a localhost setup using the source ...
Amlan Saha Kundu's user avatar