HellChess

Chess may be one of the oldest board games out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s simple to pick up and play. Even if the rules are not difficult at all, you need a lot of practice in order to use the pieces properly and learn how to devise strategies. Grandmasters usually practice for their entire lives in order to get good at chess, but not even they know everything there is to know about it.

HellChess is a chess engine that allows you to start practicing against a computer-controlled opponent, in order to learn how to handle yourself during matches. The application even comes with a few tutorials and lessons, which should be enough to get you started. However, its greatest feat is the AI opponent, because you can customize it in a number of ways.

Gameplay-wise, there’s nothing out of the ordinary about this specific simulator. In essence, all you have to do is drag the pieces around the board whenever your turn is up. The same real-world rules apply in the game as well, so you should be able to get right into it if you are familiar with it. Not only that, but it is also possible to create your own situations and edit the board whenever you feel like it.

The editor allows you to place any kind of piece anywhere on the board and resume playing after that. Naturally, this comes in handy whenever you want to recreate a certain situation, or if you want to experience famous matches by yourself. Fictional situations can be simulated as well, thanks to the fact that there is no piece limit and you can have as many knights, peons and kings as you like.

The customization options are not exactly numerous, but there are a few things you can tweak if you feel like it. As an example, you can switch between a variety of chess variants, including Othello and Connect 4. Moreover, it is also possible to connect to another computer over the Internet and enjoy a game remotely with your friend.

Thanks to the fact that it comes with a tutorial and the possibility to play online, HellChess should prove to be quite the handy tool for every chess aficionado. Not only that, but beginners can learn their way around the game as well.