I have Windows and can't seem to get this game to launch. It returns an error about how the application cannot be opened. Anyone else able to get Combat Chess to run?

Did you check to see if the whatever file it's quoting is actually there and present?

It would be helpful if you mention which specific version of windows you're using as well as the specific error you are receiving.

I can get it to run but it appears to be something wrong to me. I've never played it before the GoG version so I'm not sure but it sure looks wrong. I can play (using the main screen) but it opens up, or appears to open up, 4 or 5 windows (see screenshot... I may have forgotten to circle and number one of them going by memory). And they appear to be... partial windows. lol

Best to just look at the screenshot. But yes.. it opens... I can play just focusing on the "main" window" but it sure looks messed up. I'm on Windows 10 64-bit.

EDIT: Yeah in the screenshot I circled and labelled as "2" what actually appears to be parts of TWO windows, so one should have been labelled 2, one 3, and then 4 and 5 for a total of 5 windows or partial windows opened up.

EDIT2: I just took a new screenshot today (just now) and this time circled all 5 and labelled all 5.

Sorry for my lack of specificity! My bad. I am using Windows 10. The error is a "chess.exe - Application Error", with the message reading "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000022)".

That may be a legacy issue with DirectPlay. You have to make sure it's set up to use DirectPlay. I'll see if I can find the step by step way to do it (I forgot it's been so long ago I did it)

EDIT: Go into Control Panel (Under Windows System on Start Menu) click "Programs" then under "Programs and Features" click "Turn Windows features on or off" then click the "+" next to Legacy components, and then put a checkmark in the DirectPlay box. (Screenshot)

Thank you, I appreciate all your help. Please let me know if you do find the step-by-step way. I did see there is a setup file for DirectX in the game folder...maybe I should try "installing" DirectX through that (even though I have newer version of DirectX already installed)?

See edit above. Also, after you do that, you need to go into compatibility and select WindowsXP SP2, then Apply. At least doing that makes it run full screen.... but there are still some issues with all of those different Windows and I don't understand why. Someone else may know. I've only played it a little and it beats my ass badly every time because I either suck worse than I remember or it's set to hard and there is no way to change it or I don't know how to change it. lol

As a fellow older, corpulent gentleman, let me say that you are a god amongst men. Your solution worked like a charm!!!! Thank you so much for the clear, very timely help! This is what a gaming community is all about. Much much appreciated.

Should be this: Not in a position to run thru this but next time you run the game, it should fix itself.

Please give it a try and let us know how things turn out.

Whooaaa... easy... easy... lol. I only knew this because I read some other God amongst men. I'm more of a fool among men. lol

Most people learn from others, and those in turn most likely learned from someone else.

Except me. I invented Direct Play.