Chess Titans

Chess Titans is a chess video game included in Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate editions, and Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.

Graphics
The game is fully animated and designed for Windows Aero with its glass-like view. The game board is able to be rotated in 3D, and theme choices are available for the chess pieces and board.

Gameplay
The game can be played with either a mouse or any gamepad like a PlayStation 3 or a Xbox 360 controller for Windows. It can also be played through Windows Media Center, using the remote control provided with TV Tuner Cards, and certain laptops as well.

Player vs. computer
Players can play against the computer after selecting the computer skill in a scale from 1 to 10. After a move is made by the computer, the player can view the last move. When clicking on a chess piece, Chess Titans highlights all possible moves for that piece, which helps the player in playing chess. This option can also be turned off. While perhaps Chess Titans routines are not as other commercial programs it is certainly a good game for beginners or those wanting a refresher. Cries of 'cheat' and 'bug' from message boards and blogs alike are so far unfounded and generally result from new players who are unfamiliar with more artisan moves such as castling and en passant.

Player vs. player
In a two-player game, the chess board automatically turns 180 degrees for the opposite player after each move. This option can also be turned off. Chess Titans saves all two-player game scores.

Limitations
Chess Titans doesn't have a library of chess openings, something that is standard in most reputable chess programs. The program has focused on graphics at the expense of chess playing strength. Although the highest playing strength setting is time consuming, its playing strength is limited, and can be beaten by a B-class chess player. The program also wastes time "thinking" when there is only one legal move it can make. In all, it is evident this is a "freebie" software, and should be seen as such.