When Computer Chess Online was first opened a central idea was that it should provide chess enthusiasts with a free and easily accessible means to train and improve their tactical knowledge and experience. The original method used to implement this aim was to provide a free online chess game. This game would allow a human player to play for an unlimited amount of time against a computer opponent. It would never get bored by the same variations, or upset if a player wanted to take back a blunder. To this end, we provided a fairly simple flash chess game that allowed beginning players to do just this – play chess against the computer. Of course, over time beginners skill levels improve as their mastery of the game of chess increases. It has become increasingly apparent that it was time to implement a new and better solution for the original aim.
Play Chess Online Against Computer Opponents
A few days ago we launched a new chess game but did so in quite a muted manner as it was necessary to take the time to see how well it performed for users of this site. There was clearly no need to take down the old page as many people will have bookmarked it already and may, in fact, prefer the old game. However, now we are satisfied that the new game performs well it is time to give it a bit more prominence. This link will take you to our new page to play chess against computer opponents. The new chess game is stronger and also allows for online human versus human play. Overall, I believe it offers a better experience for all types of player.
Other Game Feedback
While listening to feedback we have received about the original chess game a few other things became apparent. Some players were reporting “bugs” that actually weren’t. Specifically that the game would not let them castle, or that the game was performing illegal captures using pawns.
An experienced chess player will probably recognise just from this description that the move was probably illegal. The player could not castle because they had already moved a king or rook. Sometimes the proposed move would require moving across a threatened square or similar.
Likewise, with the pawn captures, many players have not heard of en passant. This lack of chess knowledge means that the computer moves appear to break the rules. It was never my intention to provide online chess tutorials here at computer chess online. I do recognise though that it is time to provide some basic instruction on the rules of the game. My hope is that by doing so I can reduce gamers frustration at what they believe to be cheating by the computer.
The Future of Computer Chess Online
In the coming weeks and months, we will be providing a very basic tutorial on how to play the game of chess with diagrams where appropriate. It is my hope that this will dispel some of the issues arising for visitors to this site. May everyone grow in strength as chess players.
(EDIT: These pages are now up. You can learn to castle, learn what en-passant is and see how to set up a chess board. Have fun!)