31 July 2016
I just upgraded to Windows 10, and didn't realize till after the fact that it was going to delete my beloved 'Chess Titans' game! Well, I debated whether to roll back to Windows 7 just because of that. But then I did a little research into other chess apps available online and/or for Windows 10, and found Sparkchess was the one most people recommended. You can play it online in your browser just by going to their website (google sparkchess and you'll find it easily enough). Once you do, you'll know what I mean when I say it has a more 3D feel to it than most of the cheapie chess apps. I decided to download this app because I'm not really prepared to pay for the full version. I might in the future, because there are a lot of features you don't get in the lite version, but then again, that's why it's free, right? Finally, I know on some other sites offering this app people complain about the ads. I only saw one, when I first opened the app. They don't interfere with the game.
In short: Because I wanted to build this website with a game attached to it so, not only could beginners and new chess players view strategies from this 'site, but also then be able to immediately try them out...
Before I found out that my version of Windows Vista (Home Premium), rather brilliantly, has the game Chess Titans already installed, I was on the hunt for a chess game which could be played against a computer, rather than human opponent.
Sparkchess 9; Sparkchess 9; Sparkchess 9 Lite; Sep 02, 2020 SparkChess 9. Chess, as we know it, has been played for more than six centuries, but the origins go back nearly 1,500 years. It’s a game of wits, intellect, and patience — and now browser. Play online Sparkchess. Game for free at Y8-A10.Com. SparkChess is the only chess game on iOS that puts fun first. With a choice of boards, computer opponents and online play it delivers. October 16, 2018 By SparkChess SparkChess. SparkChess is an excellent way to get better at chess - learn the proper rules (including the elusive en-passant), practice openings. May 17, 2012 By.
Why not play against a human online?
Because I'm competitive and I don't like to lose - I wanted a game I could:
Sparkchess 9 Lite
- play against without being rushed into making a move
(what I call a 'no pressure learning mode') - replay mistakes and try something else
(in a game against a human, this is known as 'cheating';
against a computer, it's a button marked 'undo') - practice and get a bit better first,
before testing against a human opponent.
Sparkchess 9
At the time, I didn't want to buy any hardcore computer game simulator - although the outer third of my right eye was hovering over Fritz 12 ... and neither did I want to take part in online, human-vs-human games, for reasons already mentioned.
Preferably, while getting to grips with basic chess strategy, I wanted a free chess game, so it was off to Google with the words 'Chess' 'game' 'free'.
There were some - okay, a LOT - of rather run-of-the-mill games that could be either downloaded to a PC or played online.
Sparkchess 9 Lite
When I first came across Spark Chess, it was known as Flash Chess III ... I wasn't totally certain it would fit the proverbial bill, as it had an ominous padlock symbol across most of the options (i.e. 'buy the game, get the good stuff')...
Like most, I wanted to play Flash Chess III, but wasn't ready to pay for anything - just wanted test the game out.
However, credit to the makers, the free online version is great for beginners to practice with - you don't get the tutorials and training videos that come with Fritz, but it's more than enough of a companion for attempting and exploring the moves on www.Chess-Game-Strategies.com.
Sparkchess 9 Lite
In Summary (of Spark Chess / Flash Chess III) ...
What's Good
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Not So Good
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New(ish) to Chess? Get better at Spark Chess / Flash Chess III with tips from our Beginners Chess Guide