Mayura Chess Board logo

Mayura Chess Board

By Mayura Software Free Editors' Rating

Editors' Review

Download.com Staff Sep 5, 2011

It really wasn't that long ago that the idea of playing chess against a computer was about as realistic as Mr. Spock's ears, but today's chess engines are so powerful that even free game software can challenge expert players. Or so we assume with Mayura Chess Board, which quickly eclipsed our limited chess-playing skills and proved an excellent piece of software as well.

Mayura Chess Board's board and pieces have realistic 3D highlights. That plus a pair of counters labeled white and black and a window to hold captured pieces add up to this game's interface. A toolbar has some useful controls, including tools to rotate or resize the board, toggle sounds on and off, show the move list and game details, and access Hints. From the menu bar, we could change the skill level, reset the clock, and change the engine between three choices, Easy Peasy, Toga II, and Rybka, the default engine. We could also add and remove engines with the help of a small pop-up, save and return to games, type in moves directly into an entry field, and change various preferences, including the opening book. The Help menu included the rules of chess as well as tactical and strategic advice.

But how well does it play chess? Better than we can, that much is obvious, but it boasts some pretty high-level play for users who can take it on. The motion of the pieces is smooth, and moves are illuminated on the board in green squares, at least in the not-so-advanced settings. The program wouldn't let us make illegal moves and even gave us the opportunity to take blunders back. Mayura Chess Board certainly managed to knock some of the rust off of our chess game in a few bouts, though really we only managed to delay the inevitable a while longer each time. But our experience stressed what a great practice tool Mayura is, in addition to being an excellent chess game, free or not.

Full Specifications

What's new in version 2.3

Version 2.3 includes blunder alerts, support for commented PGN files, ability to pause the game, and a resizable chess board.

General

Release September 4, 2010
Date Added September 1, 2010
Version 2.3

Operating Systems

Operating Systems Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Windows 98, Windows, Windows 7, Windows XP
Additional Requirements Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Popularity

Total Downloads 173,663
Downloads Last Week 9
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User Reviews

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36 User Votes
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Developer's Description

Play chess against your computer using Mayura Chess Board. Mayura Chess Board is suitable for beginners and expert players alike. Beginners will find plenty of assistance. Mayura Chess Board can optionally highlight squares to which a piece can be moved, and highlight undefended and attacked pieces. Expert players will be challenged by the included chess engine as it plays Grandmaster-level chess. Players at all levels will appreciate features such as animated piece movement, arrow to indicate last computer move and unlimited undo/redo.

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