Solitaire Chess by ThinkFun

Chess is something that I have never quite understood. Checkers I get but chess, nope. I’ve never taken the time to learn more than the names of the pieces but I admire those who have the skill and make the game look so easy. I wasn’t sure what I would get when I recently tried out the app, Solitaire Chess by ThinkFun. It combines logic puzzles with Chess. You play with Chess pieces and every move that you make on the game board must be a capture. Moves can only be made according to the rules of Chess and the game is over when only one piece remains.

I was a bit daunted by Solitaire Chess at first but there is a guide that tells you about each Chess piece and how they are allowed to move on the board. Once you begin a puzzle you can tap on any piece and the board will show you possible moves. There is also a hint button that will make a move for you if you find yourself stuck. This type of help makes it easier to pick up on the rules of the game. A reset button is also available if you need to undo a bad move. I really appreciated having the available guide while I worked through the puzzles. It gave me hands on experience moving the pieces and learning what they can do.

After you solve a puzzle you’ll be able to move on to the next one. You can also advance yourself forward and backward through the puzzles, solving the ones you’d like. Solitaire Chess has four difficulty levels, ranging from easy to expert, and there are one hundred challenges at each level. The app will keep track of your wins and save multiple games in progress.

I’d suggest Solitaire Chess for older children and adults. I think it would be great for those who enjoy solving logic puzzles as well as those who want to learn the game of chess. It is one of those games that’s easy to learn but the challenges can really test you. The app has been developed with graphics that will work on both the iPhone and iPad. I tried it out on my iPhone and it was easy to play but I think my children would enjoy it on the larger screen.

Interested in trying Solitaire Chess for free?  Solitaire Chess Free is available in the App Store. Below is an interactive demo of the game, a larger version can be found on the ThinkFun website.

Price when Reviewed: $2.99

See the app in iTunes

Seller: ThinkFun

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.