Earlier this week I reviewed the SmartChess app, which went up for sale on iTunes last week. There’s also a review of it in Chess Life this month, if you want another opinion (a generally positive one).
I pointed out in my review that the value of SmartChess will really depend on whether they can make a wider range of material available for reading on the app. After all, that is the app’s main purpose, and at present the selection is very limited.
Now I have two quick updates. First, commenting on my blog post, Andy Hortillosa cited a long list of books that are in the pipeline (by Tal, Bologan, Donaldson, Topalov, Nakamura, etc.), so it sounds as if there will be enough options to satisfy almost anybody. You may have to be a little bit patient, though. Andy says he is planning to release about one title a week. Hopefully he will get more help soon, and then the process will go faster.
Second, I have good news about the price. As mentioned in my review, SmartChess sells for $4.99. That may be a bit of a hurdle for some people (like me!) who are used to getting things for free or for dirt cheap in the App Store. But for those bargain-hunter types, I have good news! Andy tells me that SmartChess will be on sale for the next two days, October 8 and 9, for $0.99. How can you resist?
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Do you know of any chess-playing iPhone app that has a true blindfold mode, i.e. that doesn’t display the 8×8 board?
SmartChess! has a blindfold mode but it displays a blank board. The empty board is needed to input the moves for the human player.