Hi,

I didn't think it'd be that difficult to find one. Can anyone recommend a good free chess program? I need it to analyze chess games, not play against PC. So it must (note the bold) have:

_Play human vs human (i.e. you control both sides)
_Take back and replay functions (i.e. I can quickly move n moves back and then quickly replay same n moves. Something like undo/redo). Preferably with keyboard shortcuts.
_A normal clean interface. Preferable 2d. No weird 3D stuff.

Anything else is a nice bonus, but I need those 3 features.

The Windows chess won't do. It's appearance is borderline acceptable (why can't you have normal 2D pieces???), but it has no replay move option.

I googled and tried 8 or so programs now, but I can't find what I'm looking for. They got all sorts of customizable opponents, trainings, end-game analysis, but no simple way to take-back/replay moves.

Thanks.

I recommend Chessmaster 9000. Don't try anything newer than that - the newer chessmaster suddenly became dumbed down.

Chessmaster 9000 can do all the stuff you ask for. It is from 2004 and still the best IMO.

It used to be on GOG but no more.... :(

+1. I also think Chessmaster 9000 was the best of the series.

Ah, I know it's not on my "must" list, but I did mention free...

I still wish I had heard of it before it got removed. :/

There is something just a teeny weeny bit off about the looks. Plus, sometimes I could use a computer opponent in case I do want to play a normal game, which is not available here. But it fulfills my three criteria, and is excellent for what I intend to use it for. Thanks.

You may want to check this thread, as I was given many good recommendations when I asked a while back (and am too lazy to try and remember them all, so taking the easy way out.) Some of the suggestions were free and may fit what you're looking for.

I ended up getting lucky and finding a physical copy of Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition, which is fantastic, but sadly quite hard to find (and often very expensive on Ebay and such for some reason.)


http://www.gog.com/forum/general/a_question_for_chess_fans_and_a_giveaway/page1/

Yeah I've never found one chess program (free or inexpensive at least) that does everything I want, but glad this helps for what you need.

Also, glchess/GNOME Chess. It has most of the functions you need (can replay, but if you undo a move it can't (to my knowledge) redo).

While I don't use any windows program for chess anymore I can say if you need a chess engine use stockfish; it's free and world class in it's kind. But it's just UCI engine so you need to find a Graphical User Interface to run it correctly.
I personally recommend Xboard(https://www.gnu.org/software/xboard/) on linux. But mind you it's not likely as easy to use or feature rich as some of the windows variants.

Nope. Can't use it after all :( A small thing is missing to which I didn't pay attention before, but which is annoying nonetheless. The rank and file numbering and lettering on the board is missing. It is a only a small discomfort, but enough to make me look for a substitute.

Database > Preferences > Board > Show Coordinates, if that's what you need.

I think keyboard shortcuts for undo/redo are missing though, which is a bit inconvenient.

Ah, so that's where options are hidden. I looked all over Tools menu. You can even make the board look better.

Thanks.
Nope. The left and right arrow keys work for this. Very convenient :)