Kasparov Chessmate

Let me start by stating that Kasparov Chessmate is not a chess game for people who are new to the classic tactical game. This is a game that is designed with chess players in mind and that is evident from the fact that the greatest chess player of all time, Garry Kasparov was deeply involved in this game.

Play Your Game

I have to start by saying that there is no actual tutorial in this game. I was made to play chess when I was a kid so after a little bit of fumbling, it all came back. However, if you are looking for a chess game that is going to teach you the basics and make you understand what the game is all about, Kasparov Chessmate I have to say is not really for you. This is a game that demands you already have a somewhat decent understanding of the way that chess is played.

Streamlined And Slick

If you were to watch gameplay footage of Kasparov Chessmate, you may think that it looks very barebones. Hey, I get that I really do. However, this is a chess game and a serious one at that. Not to mention it has the name Garry Kasparov tied to it so you are not going to get a lot of flash to this. This is a very serious take on the game of chess and in that regard, I feel that the more laid back and serious approach to the presentation is the right way to go. Still, on the flip side of this, I am sure some will find the presentation very boring.

Two Ways To Be The Master Of Chess

There are two single-player modes for you to enjoy in this game. The first mode is pretty basic, where you pick the skill level, timer and you can undo any mistakes that you make. This is a good way to just jump in, have some fun and test your chess skills in a more “controlled” way. The fact the game does have difficulty levels makes this mode ideal if you are like I was coming into this game and need your chess skills and knowledge to have a bit of a tune-up.

The other mode is the main single-player mode and that is The Kasparov Chess Club. In this mode you start off with one opponent and then must face off against a series of increasingly more skilled chess players before you become the grand champion. This mode is brutally tough and is for people who know what they are doing! There is also a local multiplayer option so you can play against a buddy if you want.

I think that Kasparov Chessmate is a very solid chess game. It does not bother with a lot of “flash” and instead gets by on being a solid chess sim.

7.5/10

Pros:

• It is endorsed and partly developed by Garry Kasparov
• Two modes of play
• You can try and become the chess champion
• It is quick to get a game going
• You can play local co-op

Cons:

• It is very barebones in every regard
• It is not going to “teach” you how to play chess

Even though it was released the better part of two decades ago, Kasparov Chessmate is still regarded by many as the best chess game. What is worth knowing about this before you jump in is that this is a game that is not designed for the casual chess player. The brains behind this game actually had world chess champion Garry Kasparov get involved with the AI in this game!

Do You Know How To Play?

One of the most absurd things about this game is that there is no tutorial! As they managed to get Garry Kasparov involved you would have thought that an in-depth tutorial on how to actually play chess would have been one of the first things Kasparov Chessmate offered you. My dad taught me to play chess when I was a kid so I have a basic understanding of what to do. However, if you are new to this game then you will be lost here as it does not help you at all.

All Substance, No Style

I think you could make the argument that this is one of the most boring looking games of all time. There is nothing flashy about this game whatsoever! This is a very serious kind of game and as they got the greatest chess player of all time to be involved, I can see why the presentation is so serious. You do not get Garry Kasparov involved and then have magical pixies or giant dragons as playable characters. The style of the game does fit what a serious game chess is, but it would have killed them to lighten things up a tad.

Will You Be The Chess Master?

As you would probably expect, Kasparov Chessmate is not jam-packed with game modes. The main mode on offer here is called The Kasparov Chess Club. Here you are on a quest to become the Chess Grand Champion. You do this by defeating a series of opponents who get tougher and tougher as you progress. This mode is super, super and I mean super tough! If you are not a skilled chess player, I do not see you getting very far in this mode. You also have a mode where you can have a quick one-off game. This mode is kind of neat in that it when you make a move and if it is a bad one, you can replay the move. bSo, this mode can help you become a better chess player and help you figure out what works and what does not. If you have a friend with you, you can also play some multiplayer matches as well.

Pros:

• Getting chess legend, Garry Kasparov on board is cool
• The main single-player mode is going to really test your skills
• You can play against a friend
• Getting into a game is very quick
• If you are good at chess, this could make you an even better player

Cons:

• This game is brutally difficult
• It does not teach you anything at all so it is not suitable for those new to the game