This program offers just about everything a chess fan needs. If you're already a seasoned player, you won't have any trouble starting a game in just moments, but if you need some help with your moves, the game offers modest tutorial options, such as an indication of risk factors and move suggestions. The game offers a number of customization options, allowing you to choose piece style, board color, and sound effects, and which buttons to display. Our major complaint is that even when you maximize the main window, the board doesn't get any larger. This program gives you a variety of gameplay options, letting you take on a number of computer opponents or humans in person, via e-mail or in online forums. ChessRally definitely doles out a challenge to players of all skill levels. Even on its easiest difficulty setting, we had a hard time vanquishing our computerized opponent. Though it might not be an ideal way for first-timers to learn chess, all other fans of the game will find plenty to like here.
What’s new in version 2.6
Version 2.6 introduces two new larger board sizes, fun new avatars, new downloadable themes, and a host of "under the hood" enhancements for online play.
I love playing chess and this is an excellent app to do that.
Cons
The graphic can be definitely be improved.
Summary
if you lose your lifetime key they simply ignore you
leegillard
Pros
nice interface
Cons
there is no customer service they wont reply to emails
Summary
if you join then make sure you write down key cos they wont help if you lose it<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Jun 27, 2013<p/>My apologies since writing this reveiw i have had my key re-issued Thank-you
You'll lose your money by being kicked by the owner.
ChangBroot
Pros
Has everything one wishes.
Cons
You're constantly watched by the "room moderators," and every "private," message is carefully monitored by "Emperor." Users are not allowed to have a name of their choosing.
Summary
Don't waste your $20, because within a few days the owner will ban you.
You get to play chess and obtain chessrally ratings.
Pros
It does what it claims to do, and it easy to understand.
Cons
Chincy graphics, simplistic tools compated to FICS, etc..
The AI is shipped without an opening book that I'm aware of. An opening book is VERY important to most chess players. The AI tends to play the same thing over and over.
Summary
Good if you just want a simple easy game of chess against mostly mediocre chess players like me.
You MAY prefer FICS. They are free but may lack some of chess rally's anti cheating effort.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Mar 22, 2010<p/>update:
I'm not sure what happened, but I appear to have found Chess Rally 2's opening book. So, do not consider my comment as a lot of it had to do with the game not having an opening book.
It may be a fine product.
Best Chess Download Period
herkimermortormer
Pros
The people you meet, the skills you gain, the quick, simple & fun it has to offer
Cons
I wish you could perhaps do a vid chat, or voice with your opponent
Summary
Good software, racist vendor and operators.
ChangBroot
Pros
Good software.
Cons
Racist, nazi and control freaks. All the room-operators are racist and terrorists. If they don't like your nick name, they will ban you and you will lose your $20. This is how they make money.
Summary
The room operators are Emperor, Karen (the vendor), The Doctor and etc. The vendor's name is Robert C. Ryniak who is another racist terrorist. I have played everyone and never cursed at anyone or broke any agreements, yet they ban me. If you want to play as a free person, then I suggest you find someone place else, or else your money will be wasted.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Nov 21, 2009<p/>The product is good, but the vendor is a control freak and racist. All they want is to make money by banning you after you buy this shit.
A Highly Intelligent Chess Engine
chess_technik
Pros
highly intelligent and fast
Cons
Found nothing as such
Summary
With just 12.5 MB, it plays Chess like a Genius. Chess Rally is 8 months old for me and I find it much to my liking. I have played 400+ games against it's Computer/Expert 2100 rated level and now my rating is 1704 class B. The Rating system is perfect. If your chess Rally 2.5 rating is 2100, your FIDE rating will be MORE THAN 2100 if you play FIDE rated tournaments. My chess Rally Rating was 1704 and I was ahead of 8 FIDE rated players above 1800 ratings in a recent state open tournament in Erode, Tamilnadu, India.
Chess clubs can use chess rally 2.5 rating system to evaluate performance of players. I have not played much against its highest Computer/Master rated 2600 rated level because even if Computer/Expert 2100 rated level plays like a Genius consuming only 21 seconds to make each crushing move and when it thinks for 90 seconds to make a move, you can imagine its play strength.
A rook sacrifice move with chess rally computer/expert 2100 rated level did during a game with its usual time of 21 seconds every move, took 30 seconds for Fritz 6 Engine to perform the same sacrifice during position setup.
The face of Rockin Ricky in yellow color is very nice, chose this face for your character.
A chess engine which plays chess like a genius and its rating system are my liking.
I recommend chess rally to my friends who have interest in computer chess.
Thank You Chess Rally 2.5
Gokula Anand
I think is a good software I love it
pipo57
Pros
Cons
Summary
Good Game
wunderkat
Pros
I am not a chess fanatic, but I do like to play. This program had it all. Lots of Fun!
Cons
seems expensive
Summary
insulting
baky2008
Pros
multilever playing, many features (like giving opinions, advices, danger alerts etc, not heavy on resources, even my crapy pc works well with it.
Cons
Impossibly insulting message which pops up immidietely after instalation and goes like this: you computer shows that is year 2007, which shows that you trying to use our game without paying for it, by changing time date on you computer. For you own sake immidiately cancel instalation or ............. This message spoils the
<p>all good impressions afterwards.