Ideas Out There

THINK. LEARN. DO. REPEAT…

MARCH 31, 2013

SEAN HAMPTON-
COLE

Chess Builds Better Brains: 18 of the Best iOS

Chess Apps to Improve Your Game (And Your
Mind)

CHESS AND YOUNG MINDS

I love chess. I love what the game does for the brain. Chess isn’t a game for smart people… chess
makes you smart. The cerebral ba le over the checkered board develops mental acuity and whole-
brain thinking . It just takes a li le bit of study and a whole lot of practice.

Only a chess player knows the bone-deep thrill of coming up with an astonishing move after a long,
deep analysis. Only a wood-pusher understands the deep compliment of having a commentator
annotate a move with an exclamation mark. (Oh joy! Oh wonder!) An exceptional move is always a
deeply innovative solution to a complex problem.

Chess encourages both logical deduction and creativity, both narrow analysis and the synthesis of
multiple variables into an elegant solution. Chess players are intentional and reflective thinkers –
capable of startling those in the know with innovative and unusual combinations. No wonder then
that it has been touted for so long as an educational tool.

There are numerous studies which show the strong correlation between mental agility and chess. For
my money, the correlation is strong enough to prove at least a partial causal relationship
(h p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causality). I am so convinced of this that I began a chess programme in
our school two years ago. I am still in the process of evaluating the long-term effects of exposing
students to chess in an academic context, but so far the results look promising.

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/0-intro.jpg)

CHESS AND THE IPAD

The idevices love education. And the idevices love chess. For reasons I mentioned in a previous post,
touching a screen by-passes the usual user-interface devices and provides for a more immediate
experience (h ps://seanhamptoncole.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/iteaching-the-new-pedagogy-how-
the-ipad-is-inspiring-be er-ways-of-teaching/). With chess, tablet devices and touch screen
technology provides the closest simulation of the experience of playing a living opponent. This
means that the benefits are also more immediately tangible.

The apps which follow can each assist everyone from novices to aspiring masters in honing and
developing their chess playing abilities. Chess is not something to be afraid of – anyone can learn, at
any age. Whoever you are, the following iOS apps will go a long way towards improving your
game… and improving your mind.

Click on the hyperlink in each title for more.

D4…

CHESS APPS FOR BEGINNERS

Learn to Play: Dinosaur Chess (h p://www.mindleaptech.com/apps/dino-chess/) ♥♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/01-dinosaur-chess.jpg)

A gentle introduction to the complexities of the game for younger players.

Kids (of all ages) can play mini games and puzzles.

***

How Do They Move: BC Take (h ps://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bc-take/id433691619?mt=8) ♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/02-bc-take.jpg)

Learn how the pieces move by solving puzzles.

***

Solve Problems: Chess Tutor (h ps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chess-tutor/id607131927?mt=8&ign-

mpt=uo%3D2) ♥♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/03-chess-tutor.png)

Learn the basic moves by solving puzzles.

Unlock mini-games.
Track your progress on the achievements board.

***

Play Games: Chess Invaders (h ps://itunes.apple.com/app/chess-invaders/id575380345?mt=8) ♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/04-chess-invaders.png)

Learn how the pieces move in a series of fun games.

***

Learn to Checkmate: Mate Puzzles Free (h ps://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mate-puzzles-

free/id369822228?mt=8) ♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/05-mate-puzzles-free.png)

Very basic puzzles. (More are available for purchase.)

 y p p
***

Ba le it Out! Morph Chess 3D (h ps://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/morph-chess-3d/id422809280?mt=8)

♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/06-morph-chess.png)

Fun interface
Pieces have animated ba le moves when taking.
Set custom difficulty level: Beginner > Clever > Intelligent > Gifted > Genius > Ridiculous
Switch top and oblique views.

***

Watch and Learn: Grand Masterpiece (h ps://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/chess-grand-

masterpieces/id417675080?mt=8) ♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/07-chess-masterpiece.png)

Watch the 100 greatest games step-by-step at your own pace.

Rate your favourites.
Learn notation as your watch the moves unfold.

***

Learn by Doing: Mastersoft Chess (h ps://itunes.apple.com/au/app/chess/id378161776?mt=8) ♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/08-mastersoft-chess.png)

Set playing strength

Show the AI’s thought processes
Let a coach warn you of errors
Get hints

***

CHESS APPS FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED PLAYERS

Are You Ready Grasshopper?: Shredder (h ps://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/shredder-chess-for-

ipad/id364900027?mt=8) ♥♥♥♥♥ (SEAN’S CHOICE!)

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/09-shredder.png)

This is my favourite chess app – thoroughly worth downloading.

See a ‘power meter’ showing who is winning.
Auto-adjust AI strength after each game.
Change playing style: Aggressive to Passive.
Show legal moves and target squares.
Compare your moves against opening and end-game database.
Switch coach on or off.
Collect and view progress statistics.
Perform analysis of games.
Get rated.
Get hints.
Solve puzzles for points.
 As a free alternative, try: Chess-wise

***

ChessBox (h ps://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/chess-box-app-hd/id477927771?mt=8) App ♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/10-chess-box.png)

Use while you are playing on a real board.

Notate digitally.
Analyse positions.
Learn to use a chess clock.

***

Hone Your Tactics: TacticTrainer (h ps://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tactictrainer/id525004017?mt=8)

♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/11-tactictrainer.jpg)

Improve your chess by tackling 20 000 chess problems

(h p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_problem).
Record and track your progress.

***

Join the Community: Chess.com (h ps://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/chess-play-learn/id329218549?

mt=8) ♥♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/12-chess-dot-com.png)

Highly recommended!
Link up with other players and play live opponents.
Discuss moves and tactics.
(So much be er than ‘Chess With Friends’!)

***

Golden Oldies: Chess Books (h ps://itunes.apple.com/mt/app/grand-master-chess-

classics/id469750822?mt=8) ♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/13-chess-books-chess-master-classics.png)

A range of evergreen puzzles and chess problems.

***

Memphis Chess Club: Chess Problems by World Champions

(h ps://itunes.apple.com/app/id465397368?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4) ♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/14-world-champs.png)

645 chess problems to solve.

***
Free Chess Puzzles (h ps://itunes.apple.com/kz/app/chess-puzzles-pro/id432827559?mt=8) ♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/15-free-chess-puzzles.png)

Solve chess puzzles.

Optional upgrade.
Also has links to other apps – including a compendium of games by grandmasters Bobby Fischer
(h p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Fischer), Garry Kasparov
(h p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov) and Jose Capablanca.

***

Daily Chess (h ps://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/daily-chess-problem/id559792039?mt=8) ♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/16-daily-chess-problem.png)

Choose a problem from an actual historical game and try to solve it…

***

Chess Masters (h ps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id560139228?mt=8) ♥♥♥♥

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/17-chess-masters.png)

Play against customisable AI strength.

Master moves across 5 levels – Puzzles and problems.

***

Take Your Chess to the Next Dimension: Esfera

(h ps://itunes.apple.com/am/app/esfera/id411270782?mt=8) ???

(h ps://seanhamptoncole.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/18-esfera.png)

Let’s see you take up the challenge.

Did I miss any? Please add suggestions in the ‘comments’ box below…

***

Browse through these links for more on the relationship between chess and intellectual development:

h p://www.chessvibes.com/reports/10-big-brain-benefits-of-playing-chess
(h p://www.chessvibes.com/reports/10-big-brain-benefits-of-playing-chess)
h p:///kcfe.eu/research (h p://kcfe.eu/research)
h p://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/thinking-skills/chess
(h p://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/thinking-skills/chess)
h p://www.psmcd.net/otherfiles/BenefitsOfChessInEdScreen2.pdf
(h p://www.psmcd.net/otherfiles/BenefitsOfChessInEdScreen2.pdf)
h p://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of_chess.html
(h p://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of_chess.html)

Don’t forget to look me up on Twi er (h p://www.twi er.com/SeanHCole)

Update (November 2014):

Try these apps and let me know what you think:

Chess Wizard (h ps://itunes.apple.com/in/app/chess-wizard/id916537412?mt=8)

(h ps://itunes.apple.com/in/app/chess-wizard/id916537412?mt=8)
Two Player Chess: (h ps://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/two-player-chess/id672592562?mt=8)
(h ps://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/two-player-chess/id672592562?mt=8)
Coach Jay’s Chess Academy. (h ps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coach-jays-chess-
academy!/id907007624?mt=8)
(h ps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coach-jays-chess-academy!/id907007624?mt=8)

 CHESS  EDUCATION  SELF-EDIFICATION

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21ST CENTURY EDUCATION BRAIN CHESS CREATIVITY

EDUCATION INDEPENDENT THINKING LEARNING
THINKING

Published by Sean Hampton-Cole

Teacher, introvert & agitator for crisper thinking. Love coffee, science, quirky games, dark humor & o eat
fiction. Edtech coach & incremental revolutionary. View all posts by Sean Hampton-Cole

4 comments

1. Bill Smith says:

DECEMBER 28, 2013 AT 9:51 PM
I would definitely include Chess Boss in this list. A cool mafia spin on the classic game of chess.
h ps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chess-boss/id782310445?mt=8
h ps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Posterus.ChessBoss

Bill

2. Make It! (13 iPad Apps for Creative Teachers and Students) | Ideas Out There says:
JULY 12, 2013 AT 8:57 AM
[…] And then there’s the one for those interested in chess for fun and cognitive development […]

3. Susan Archer says:

JUNE 19, 2013 AT 11:24 PM
Have you played Bishook.? It is a new iPhone app that combines Chess with Tic Tac Toe. Easy to
play but not so easy to win! The chess pieces go on the board like Tic Tac Toe but then take on
chess piece properties. Very fun and challenging!

4. Andrew London says:

JUNE 12, 2013 AT 4:38 AM
 101 Chess Checkmate Puzzles. All the white pieces are movable. Universal App for iPhone and
iPad. FREE.
Doing well in store. New

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