Pocket Chess Partner
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Pocket Chess Partner
Reviewed on 10/28/02
Pocket Chess Partner (PCP) is Lokasoft's entry in the increasing
popular field of Pocket PC chess. Like other programs, it offers a
number of useful playing options for those that want the convenience
of having a ready opponent in their shirt pocket.
The chess engine used in PCP is Lokasoft's own engine, LChess,
which has been around for some time. LChess is not a super-strong
engine, so you there isn't much of a fuss made over it. IMO, this
is an advantage, since the engine can actually be beaten (of course,
this depends on your skill level).
Indeed, one thing that sets Pocket PC chess apart from its counterpart
on the desktop is the fact that analysis options are usually pretty
limited, and there aren't too many database functions. This is due
primarily to the limited storage space that these computers have. So
the emphasis has to be on providing decent game play. While programs
like Pocket Fritz and Pocket Chess Genius tend to cater more to the
stronger player, Pocket Chess Partner is more suitable for the
serious, but non-titled player. I would place the playing strength of
this program well above offerings like PocketChess, but below both
Pocket Grandmaster and Pocket Fritz. IMO, the primary audience for
this program should be players in the 1200-1900 ELO range (assuming a
200 Mhz StrongArm processor).
I looked at PCP on a Toshiba E310, running the PocketPC 2002 OS.
Incidentally, all the chess programs that I tried ran just fine on the
OS, even though they were designed for Windows CE ver 3.0.
As far as engine handicapping goes, PCP supports ply depth settings,
hash table size control, and the ability to turn permanent brain on
and off. This constitutes a reasonable feature set, and allows the
user to weaken the strength of the engine. With the default book, the
program does play a variety of openings, which helps to avoid boredom.
However, the book is not especially deep (this is true for all
PocketPC chess programs). If you want a taste of how the program
plays, I would suggest that you download the free demo from the
Lokasoft site. Owners of Chess Partner for Windows can create their
own opening books as well.
PCP has a good user interface. There are a couple of piece sets, and a
number of color schemes to chose from. All are very easy on the eyes.
Icons used in PCP should be familiar to anyone that uses Chess Partner
for Windows. There is a hint button, the ability to force the computer
to move, and an infinite analysis mode as well. Play against the
computer and human vs. human play is also supported. PGN import and
export is supported, but you cannot add things like move evaluations
or move comments (if you want this functionality, see the free program
CEBoard). Adding variations to games is supported.
One unique feature of PCP is it's ability to e-mail games directly
from the interface. If you are a postal player (and use Outlook), this
might be something you want to factor into your purchasing decision.
Tournament and sudden death (SD) time controls are also supported, as
is SD + increment. Incidentally, this last mode is labeled
tournament+increment. IMO, the time control selection is more than
adequate for every day use.
So there you have it. PCP is a good alternative for the club player.
It does not have as strong a game as some of the other PPC programs,
but it should still appeal to a wide audience of players. It occupies
a niche that is above programs designed for the "sometimes"
player, and those that are experts at the game.
Copy Protection
Must get code from Lokasoft to install program.
