Mac Chess very unApple

bjm2660 · Nov 11, 2011, 09:57 PM

Why is the interface on Apple's Mac Chess so crummy? It's like they just slapped it together so they could offer an intellectual game on their computers. Surely, any serious player uses a different program. Thoughts?

bjm2660 · Nov 11, 2011, 09:59 PM

I just noticed that the white knights aren't even facing the right direction.

W1MRK · Nov 11, 2011, 10:07 PM

I think its due for a makeover

bjm2660 · Nov 11, 2011, 10:52 PM

I just took a quick peak at the Mac App Store.

The Chess options there are quite limited--3 or 4 apps--clumsy GUI.

iPhone app store on the other hand has dozens and dozens--many of them
nicely made.

I wish the Mac App Store had more options sometimes.

Sedulous · Nov 11, 2011, 11:39 PM

I guess Apple has more important things to work on. I don't think the chess.app has been changed much since at least 2003.

shyam09 · Nov 12, 2011, 12:15 AM

here is a comparison with Windows Vista.
i like the Windows Vista Chess design much more than OS X
windows 7 and windows 8 look quite similar i think

bjm2660 · 11:32 PM

Thanks for posting. Yes, those examples are much cleaner. I agree that Mac Chess must be pretty far down Apple's ToDo list. I just think that in it's current form, the game is not helping Apple's image at all. 3D pieces and board only works if done convincingly, but it's not mandatory. Apple just needs a simple, slick, stylish chess set.

What program are other chess players using on the Mac? Post screenshots!

elppa · Nov 12, 2011, 08:25 AM

It's like the connect to server dialog. Apple made it in 2001 and have pretty much forgotten about it since.

bjm2660 · Nov 12, 2011, 08:39 AM

There was a nice-looking dashboard widget chess here...

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashb...mes/chess.html

Speaking of "cannot connect to server" dialogs! It appears to be no longer serviceable. I don't use dashboard anymore anyway.

bjm2660 · Nov 16, 2011, 11:26 PM

I must be the only person on earth tired of looking at "3D" content on a 2D medium.

bjm2660 · Dec 2, 2011, 10:24 AM

How about an update in time for Christmas?

torbjoern · Dec 2, 2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjm2660

How about an update in time for Christmas?

I kinda prefer good old Battle Chess.

iMacC2D · Dec 2, 2011, 10:59 AM

Apple Chess is a carry over from Rhapsody and NeXTStep. It hasn't been updated in several years, other than to perhaps keep it functional on the current operating systems.

It's not "unApple" (nothing is unApple, the definition of what Apple is constantly changes) and was certainly quite nice when it came out, it's just perhaps in need of some attention. Personally i've never found anything wrong with it, but whatever floats your boat.

bjm2660 · Dec 2, 2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMacC2D

Apple Chess is a carry over from Rhapsody and NeXTStep. It hasn't been updated in several years, other than to perhaps keep it functional on the current operating systems.

It's not "unApple" (nothing is unApple, the definition of what Apple is constantly changes) and was certainly quite nice when it came out, it's just perhaps in need of some attention. Personally i've never found anything wrong with it, but whatever floats your boat.

I didn't mean to start a semantic debate. Of course an Apple product cannot be unApple by definition. I just find it unusual that Apple's chess program has persisted within OSX like a fossil from another time. It functions fine--and that would be good enough for other companies. Apple usually wants the components of their ecosystem to have functional and aesthetic value. Standards have changed in the last 10 years. Perhaps it was my hope to start an unofficial list of signatures with this thread. Maybe someone at Apple would take note.

gyorpb · Dec 2, 2011, 02:01 PM

.tsooJ

Daveoc64 · Dec 2, 2011, 03:12 PM

The Chess app in Mac OS X is merely an Open Source demo, nothing more.

Apple never intended for people to take it seriously.

bjm2660 · Dec 2, 2011, 11:48 PM

I would like to have a chess program on my Mac that I don't mind looking at. I have heard about sophisticated engines, but usually the interfaces are poor. What are some recommendations?

bjm2660 · 11:21 PM

I am still not seeing any decent options on the app store. There appears to be a lack of interest in such a program. I just want a clean chess interface--not some jagged, low-res, cheesy, 3D, faux wood, faux leather set.

buggsndirk · Apr 20, 2012, 06:01 AM

I'm a fairly strong chess player and I frequently manage at least a draw against strong programs (Fritz, Chessmaster ect) but I find it difficult to see the moves on the mac interface. This is because the 3D Pieces make it difficult to visualise moves clearly. Does anyone know how to change the interface to a simple 2D option? 'is there an app for that?'

Moonjumper · Apr 20, 2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggsndirk

I'm a fairly strong chess player and I frequently manage at least a draw against strong programs (Fritz, Chessmaster ect) but I find it difficult to see the moves on the mac interface. This is because the 3D Pieces make it difficult to visualise moves clearly. Does anyone know how to change the interface to a simple 2D option? 'is there an app for that?'

Unfortunately I could not find a way to. I thought it used to, but haven't used it in a while. I always prefer to play computer chess in 2D.

My Mac also came with Big Bang Board Games, including chess. I don't know if it is still bundled. It looks a little better, but not much.

dakwar · Apr 20, 2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggsndirk

I'm a fairly strong chess player and I frequently manage at least a draw against strong programs (Fritz, Chessmaster ect) but I find it difficult to see the moves on the mac interface. This is because the 3D Pieces make it difficult to visualise moves clearly. Does anyone know how to change the interface to a simple 2D option? 'is there an app for that?'

If you click the border of the board, you can move the board around in 3D. If you then move it to be coplanar with the screen, it kinda looks 2D, but not completely. Also, it doesn't quite exactly line up to be coplanar with the screen.

Member(TM) · Apr 20, 2012, 09:35 AM

You can get sort of a 2D view by dragging the border of the chessboard until it is almost parallel to the screen, so you get an aerial view of it, but the pieces don't look good because their appearance is not optimized for this angle. In particular, in this view you may mistake a bishop for a pawn if you are not looking very carefully.

I have taken a look at the source code (the Snow Leopard version) and it seems there is not a real 2D view option. Changing the shape of the pieces so that they look better in aerial view doesn't seem an option either unless you modify the source code and recompile the application, because the vertices for each type of piece are hard coded in C.

buggsndirk · Apr 21, 2012, 01:20 AM

Thanks re: moving the board axis but it's even worse now because you can't see the pieces very well at all. Thanks for looking at the source code (I'm going to pretend I know what you are talking about). Sounds like Apple has to change it? I wish it had an interface like the one attached. Nice and simple, nothing fancy. Well...maybe a few choices with colour....

I feel the computer is likely to be around 2600 but its destroying me easily because I can't get my head around the board.

Please, please, please, if anyone from Apple is out there reading this, please consider changing the interface.

Macman45 · Apr 21, 2012, 01:24 AM

It's okay for a very basic game, and there are so many chess games out there that I doubt if Apple are all that concerned over a built in game. I sometimes use it, but prefer to play on a real board against a real opponent.

jojoba · Apr 21, 2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjm2660

I just noticed that the white knights aren't even facing the right direction.

That made me laugh

View Poll Results: What do you think of Apple Chess?
needs a facelift	30	83.33%
it still looks fine	6	16.67%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

Nov 11, 2011, 09:57 PM	#1
bjm2660 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	Mac Chess very unApple Why is the interface on Apple's Mac Chess so crummy? It's like they just slapped it together so they could offer an intellectual game on their computers. Surely, any serious player uses a different program. Thoughts? Attached Thumbnails
	0

Nov 11, 2011, 10:07 PM	#3
W1MRK macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2010	I think its due for a makeover __________________ Homebuilt Windows gaming rigs from 1998 until 2010 when I found happiness
	0

Nov 12, 2011, 12:15 AM	#6
shyam09 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2010	here is a comparison with Windows Vista. i like the Windows Vista Chess design much more than OS X windows 7 and windows 8 look quite similar i think Attached Thumbnails
	3

Nov 12, 2011, 08:02 AM	#7
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	Thanks for posting. Yes, those examples are much cleaner. I agree that Mac Chess must be pretty far down Apple's ToDo list. I just think that in it's current form, the game is not helping Apple's image at all. 3D pieces and board only works if done convincingly, but it's not mandatory. Apple just needs a simple, slick, stylish chess set. What program are other chess players using on the Mac? Post screenshots! Last edited by bjm2660; Nov 16, 2011 at 11:32 PM.
	1

Nov 11, 2011, 09:59 PM	#2
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	I just noticed that the white knights aren't even facing the right direction.
	8

Nov 11, 2011, 10:52 PM	#4
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	I just took a quick peak at the Mac App Store. The Chess options there are quite limited--3 or 4 apps--clumsy GUI. iPhone app store on the other hand has dozens and dozens--many of them nicely made. I wish the Mac App Store had more options sometimes.
	1

Nov 11, 2011, 11:39 PM	#5
Sedulous macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2002	I guess Apple has more important things to work on. I don't think the chess.app has been changed much since at least 2003.
	2

Nov 12, 2011, 08:25 AM	#8
elppa macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2003	It's like the connect to server dialog. Apple made it in 2001 and have pretty much forgotten about it since.
	3

Nov 12, 2011, 08:39 AM	#9
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	There was a nice-looking dashboard widget chess here... http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashb...mes/chess.html Speaking of "cannot connect to server" dialogs! It appears to be no longer serviceable. I don't use dashboard anymore anyway.
	1

Nov 16, 2011, 11:26 PM	#10
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	I must be the only person on earth tired of looking at "3D" content on a 2D medium.
	2

Dec 2, 2011, 10:24 AM	#11
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	How about an update in time for Christmas? Attached Thumbnails
	7

Dec 2, 2011, 10:59 AM	#13
iMacC2D macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia	Apple Chess is a carry over from Rhapsody and NeXTStep. It hasn't been updated in several years, other than to perhaps keep it functional on the current operating systems. It's not "unApple" (nothing is unApple, the definition of what Apple is constantly changes) and was certainly quite nice when it came out, it's just perhaps in need of some attention. Personally i've never found anything wrong with it, but whatever floats your boat.
	2

Dec 2, 2011, 02:01 PM	#15
gyorpb macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Amsterdam	.tsooJ
	6

Dec 2, 2011, 03:12 PM	#16
Daveoc64 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bristol, UK	The Chess app in Mac OS X is merely an Open Source demo, nothing more. Apple never intended for people to take it seriously. __________________ iPhone 5 32GB Black (Three UK) \| Nexus 7 \| Kindle Keyboard 3G White MacBook (Late 2007) Windows 8 \| iCloud, Dropbox, Spotify Premium
	4

Dec 2, 2011, 11:48 PM	#17
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	Alternatives? I would like to have a chess program on my Mac that I don't mind looking at. I have heard about sophisticated engines, but usually the interfaces are poor. What are some recommendations?
	0

Mar 27, 2012, 05:34 PM	#18
bjm2660 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	I am still not seeing any decent options on the app store. There appears to be a lack of interest in such a program. I just want a clean chess interface--not some jagged, low-res, cheesy, 3D, faux wood, faux leather set. Last edited by bjm2660; Mar 27, 2012 at 11:21 PM.
	0

Apr 20, 2012, 06:01 AM	#19
buggsndirk macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2012	2D option????? I'm a fairly strong chess player and I frequently manage at least a draw against strong programs (Fritz, Chessmaster ect) but I find it difficult to see the moves on the mac interface. This is because the 3D Pieces make it difficult to visualise moves clearly. Does anyone know how to change the interface to a simple 2D option? 'is there an app for that?'
	0

Apr 20, 2012, 09:35 AM	#22
Member(TM) macrumors member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Spain	You can get sort of a 2D view by dragging the border of the chessboard until it is almost parallel to the screen, so you get an aerial view of it, but the pieces don't look good because their appearance is not optimized for this angle. In particular, in this view you may mistake a bishop for a pawn if you are not looking very carefully. I have taken a look at the source code (the Snow Leopard version) and it seems there is not a real 2D view option. Changing the shape of the pieces so that they look better in aerial view doesn't seem an option either unless you modify the source code and recompile the application, because the vertices for each type of piece are hard coded in C.
	0

Apr 21, 2012, 01:20 AM	#23
buggsndirk macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2012	Someone from Apple????? Thanks re: moving the board axis but it's even worse now because you can't see the pieces very well at all. Thanks for looking at the source code (I'm going to pretend I know what you are talking about). Sounds like Apple has to change it? I wish it had an interface like the one attached. Nice and simple, nothing fancy. Well...maybe a few choices with colour.... I feel the computer is likely to be around 2600 but its destroying me easily because I can't get my head around the board. Please, please, please, if anyone from Apple is out there reading this, please consider changing the interface. Attached Thumbnails
	1

Apr 21, 2012, 01:24 AM	#24
Macman45 macrumors G4 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Somewhere Back In The Long Ago	It's okay for a very basic game, and there are so many chess games out there that I doubt if Apple are all that concerned over a built in game. I sometimes use it, but prefer to play on a real board against a real opponent. __________________ Time And Tide Wait For No Man
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
3D Magic Chess HD Available-(v1.2 available)-by Vanaple	Vanaple HK	iPad Apps	8	Jun 23, 2011 08:32 PM
Best Chess Game????	Vanaple HK	iPhone and iPod touch Apps	0	May 29, 2011 08:50 PM
Atari Chess versus Mac Chess	Mavimao	Games	11	Jul 27, 2006 06:55 AM
Have you beaten Mac Chess?	The_Dood	Games	58	Jun 16, 2006 07:39 PM
Mac Chess	xFU3Lx	Mac Applications and Mac App Store	1	Jul 1, 2005 02:47 AM