Chess Partner
DOS - 1983
Description of Chess Partner
One of the earliest CGA freeware chess programs, Chess Partner by Scott Murray is an excellent chess game that surprisingly stands the test of time rather well - even 20 years after the initial release.
Although it naturally lacks the pizzazz of modern chess games, Chess Partner still offers plenty of play value for a 1983 game. There are over 10 difficulty levels to choose from, with a competent AI behind higher levels. Pieces are presented in primitive but adequate CGA graphics, and you move by typing in standard chess notations (e.g. "E2-E4"). There is also a built-in timer that makes the game more exciting (well, not directly - but when you realize you are spending 10 minutes per move, you'd feel the pressure to hurry up :))
Chess fans and game collectors alike will enjoy this blast from the past that proves, once again, that good games never die. Highly recommended!
Review By HOTUD
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
Binho RbSoft 2023-12-05 0 point
MRLISSANDRELLO, to make the castling, has to move the rook to the king's position. For example, H1-E1. To end the game, ESC. To go back, X, but after that the program usually doesn't respond.
BenRedic 2019-04-14 0 point
I for one do not understand the HOTUD love for this game. This may be interesting for collectors as one of the earliest chess games available for MS-DOS/PC-DOS, but that's it.
For starters, the piece design is just downright fugly. But that's the least of the problems with this program.
Chess-wise, contemporary chess programs like Bluebush and SPOC (not to mention MyChess and Psion) completely wipes the floor with this one, and looks way better doing it. Start factoring in programs available for other platforms in 1983, such as White Knight MK11 (BBC), Cyrus IS Chess (Spectrum), Sfinks (TRS-80) or the omni-present Sargon II (Apple II, VIC20, C64, TRS-80, dedicated units etc) and it's hard to find a spot for Chess Partner anywhere.
There's no opening book, and no strategy. The program will just push the pawns forward and maybe jump all over the board with a knight.
It does not understand draws, and given a winning position against a weaker program it will happily walk right into a stalemate.
One for the die-hard collectors only.
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