Acid Ape Chess

Acid Ape Chess is a multi-purpose chess suite designed for serious chess players. This application is available for the Android platform and can be downloaded to enhance your chess experience. Acid Ape Chess offers a variety of features that cater to both casual players and dedicated enthusiasts, providing numerous tools and functionalities for playing, analyzing, and improving in chess.

The app allows users to engage in online chess games through platforms such as FICS, ICC, and Lichess. Players can watch live online games and view the histories of various online players. Communication during games is made easier with a non-disruptive in-game chat feature that appears in a subwindow at the bottom of the chessboard.

Acid Ape Chess supports playing against UCI or CECP chess engines, enabling users to organize engine duels for competitive practice. It comes equipped with three strong built-in engines: Arasan, cheng4, and Scorpio. Additionally, the app allows the integration of third-party engines and the customization of engine-specific settings. Users can also use custom opening books in PolyGlot (.bin) and Arena (.abk) formats, as well as incorporate custom neural networks for enhanced gameplay.

In terms of analysis, Acid Ape Chess provides robust tools for examining games with multiple chess engines. Users can view the principal variation and receive statistical insights, including an evaluation graph that tracks game progress. The app also displays Syzygy 7-men endgame tablebase results, utilizing an online service for accurate information. A move list editor is included, enabling players to create, annotate, and move variations easily. Automatic analysis can be performed, applying the best move at specified intervals, while games can be auto-annotated using both a chess engine and endgame tablebases. Advanced move indicators display engine evaluation scores, allowing for deeper understanding and strategy development.

Acid Ape Chess features premium access to an extensive online database containing 210 million positions and 3.6 million games dating back to the 1800s. This resource includes information on 270,000 over-the-board (OTB) players, ranging from club competitors to world-class players. The database is continuously updated and can be utilized for game preparation and exploring various openings. This feature serves as an invaluable tool for players looking to enhance their skills and knowledge of chess theory.

The application supports PGN, allowing users to autosave their played games. The PGN Explorer functions as a file manager with PGN support, where players can edit their games, including headers, move trees, and annotations. Users can load and save PGN files and utilize clipboard support for easy sharing and management of games.

For those interested in over-the-board chess, Acid Ape Chess provides options for watching live games from major professional tournaments. Players can search the online database for information about players and their games. A stylish fullscreen clock is available for OTB games, ensuring that players can keep track of time effectively. The app also includes a feature for playing over the phone, allowing two players to engage in a game on the same device.

Acid Ape Chess caters to the needs of players looking to sharpen their skills with tactical puzzles. The app offers 900 puzzles divided into three levels of difficulty, providing a structured way for users to improve their tactical awareness. Additionally, players can import their own PGN puzzles for a personalized practice experience.

The app also supports blindfold play, where the board and move list are hidden, requiring users to input their moves via speech recognition. Opponent moves are announced through speech synthesis, offering a unique challenge for players looking to enhance their cognitive skills and memory.

Acid Ape Chess includes features for simuls, allowing users to challenge multiple engine opponents, ranging from 2 to 16 at a time. This capability provides an opportunity for players to test their skills against various opponents simultaneously.

The application incorporates electronic board and clock support, with drivers for various DGT products. This connectivity enables users to play online, against engines, or in OTB games using their physical boards and clocks, enhancing the overall playing experience.

Acid Ape Chess emphasizes quality, elegance, ergonomics, and versatility, making it a comprehensive tool for anyone serious about chess. From online play to in-depth analysis and tactical training, the app provides a wide array of features to cater to different aspects of the game. With its modular design and user-friendly interface, Acid Ape Chess stands out as a valuable resource for chess players looking to improve their game and engage with the chess community.