ExaChess for Mac

Used ExaChess for Mac?

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ExaChess Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

ExaChess is a free chess application designed for Mac users, offering a robust platform to engage in strategic gameplay. The app caters to both beginners and seasoned players, providing an intuitive interface that facilitates easy navigation and gameplay. Users can play against the computer or challenge friends, making it a versatile choice for chess enthusiasts. The game includes various difficulty levels, allowing players to adjust the challenge according to their skill level.

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Trial version

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In addition to standard chess rules, ExaChess features various game modes and customizable settings, enhancing the overall user experience. The graphics are clean and straightforward, ensuring that players can focus on strategy rather than visual distractions. With its free access, ExaChess presents an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in honing their chess skills or enjoying a casual game with friends.

ExaChess for Mac

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: December 21, 2011

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 4.1

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System

Mac OS X 10.4
Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.3.9
Mac OS X 10.5

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 12,164

Downloads Last Week: 0

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User Reviews

4/5

5 User Votes

good program
brindie_December 18, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Positives: Exachess has plenty of features in database management and game analysis. It is easy to use. Negatives: engines supplied aren't terribly strong, can't cope with really large databases and it's unable to read ChessBase files.
awesome
gForce_1April 24, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I have used Exachess for years, and it is excellent. Great database for storing personal games, databases of archived games, and for analysis of both. Fast and easy to use, and the support from Rolf Exner is unmatched by anyone! He even declined to accept my offer to pay for the OSX version upgrade! Keep up the great work!
A fine complement to Sigma Chess
thebrix2004June 30, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Sigma is a real chess playing package and this is a real chess database - it implements the all-important database tree and has very powerful classification, searching and duplicate game identification. Although the chess engine supplied is not up with the best it is more than adequate for annotating and analysing personal games. My only real problem is with the user interface: there are some display artifacts (Powerbook G4 12" 1.33GHz with 10.3.4) and the appearance, although Aquafied to some extent, is still reminiscent of classic MacOS and looks as though it was originally developed for a relatively small screen. That said, the new piece set supplied with 3.1 is a huge improvement on those in previous versions and is fully scalable.
Interesting work!
TiceApril 16, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. The database is great. Haven't seen something like that before. Only the figures could be more chess-like, but well, maybe I make you an icon for free ... ; )
tychayNovember 5, 2001
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Currently the only decent database for chess. There is a port of ChessBase and Bookup (PC programs). This one has a good price, fast searching,

Developer’s Description

By unknown

Chess database with 400,000 master games.

ExaChess is a powerful, full-featured chess-database program for the Macintosh. It can manage a database of millions of master games, serve as a chessboard to play through games, and be used as a tool to record and annotate your own games, to play games against the computer, or to play perfect endgames.

Direct support (without conversion) of PGN, ChessBase (CBF), and NICBase databases, as well as ExaChess's own database formats.
Search across any number of databases or just a single database file by player name, event, year, result, ECO code, opening name, position, partial position, material, special game features, or any combination of these.
Resizable, customizable 2-D color board with smooth animation.
Flexible game parser that handles free-form text input, both algebraic and descriptive, including move and position evaluations, variations and text comments.
Records full tree of moves. Switch to variation or return to main line.
Shows opening tree (next moves for any opening position) with stats from the database. Quickly find matching games in database for any opening position.
Supports play against external 'chess engines' or against the database via the UCI protocol or Apple Events, including Fruit 2.1 (supplied), ZZZZZZ (supplied), Hiarcs, Crafty, GnuChess, and MacChess. Supports automatic annotation of chess games via the chess engines.

ExaChess for Mac

ExaChess Analysis

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ExaChess for Mac

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User Reviews

good program

awesome

A fine complement to Sigma Chess

Interesting work!

Developer’s Description