# GNOME Chess

> GNOME graphical front-end for playing chess

**Wikidata**: [Q1019252](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1019252)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME_Chess)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gnome-chess

## Summary
GNOME Chess is a free and open-source graphical front-end for playing chess, developed as part of the GNOME Games Collection. It provides a user-friendly interface for playing chess against the computer or other players, integrating with chess engines like GNU Chess and running on Unix-like operating systems.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Free software (distributed under terms allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it).
- **Inception**: 2000.
- **Developer**: The GNOME Project (a Free Software community founded in August 1997).
- **Parent Collection**: GNOME Games Collection (a set of puzzle video games).
- **Operating System**: Unix-like systems.
- **Programming Language**: Vala (created in 2006).
- **Chess Engine**: Compatible with GNU Chess (a terminal-based chess program dating back to 1984).
- **Versions**:
  - 3.26.0 (released September 9, 2017)
  - 3.28.0 (March 10, 2018)
  - 3.34.0 (September 8, 2019)
  - 3.36.0 (March 5, 2020)
  - 3.38.0 (September 12, 2020)
  - 40.0 (March 22, 2021)
  - 41.0 (September 16, 2021, preferred version)
- **License**: Free software license (referenced in COPYING file and appdata.xml).
- **Aliases**: Also known as `gnome-chess`, `glchess`, or simply `Chess`.
- **Logo**: Updated in 2019 to a glossy icon (SVG format).
- **Website**: [GNOME Chess Wiki](https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Chess).
- **Package Names**:
  - Fedora: `gnome-chess`
  - Debian: `gnome-chess` (since October 31, 1999)
  - Arch Linux: `gnome-chess`
- **Wikidata ID**: .
- **Libregamewiki ID**: Gnome_Chess (ID: 13017).

## FAQs
**What is GNOME Chess?**
GNOME Chess is a graphical interface for playing chess, designed as part of the GNOME desktop environment. It allows users to play against AI opponents (via engines like GNU Chess) or other players in a visually intuitive way.

**When was GNOME Chess first released?**
GNOME Chess was introduced in 2000 as part of the GNOME Games Collection, though its Debian package traces back to October 31, 1999.

**What platforms does GNOME Chess support?**
It runs exclusively on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux distributions like Fedora, Debian, and Arch Linux.

**Is GNOME Chess free to use and modify?**
Yes, it is free software, meaning users can run, study, modify, and redistribute it under its open-source license.

**What chess engines does GNOME Chess work with?**
It primarily integrates with GNU Chess, a long-standing terminal-based chess engine, but can also interface with other compatible chess engines.

**How has GNOME Chess evolved over time?**
The software has seen regular updates, with major versions like 3.38.0 (2020) and 41.0 (2021) introducing improvements in functionality and design, including a modernized icon in 2019.

## Why It Matters
GNOME Chess plays a key role in making chess accessible within the open-source ecosystem. As part of the GNOME Project, it embodies the principles of free software, allowing users to customize and extend its functionality. By providing a graphical interface for GNU Chess and other engines, it bridges the gap between terminal-based chess programs and modern desktop environments, making chess more approachable for casual and serious players alike. Its integration into major Linux distributions ensures widespread availability, contributing to the broader adoption of open-source gaming tools.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Heritage**: One of the earliest graphical chess front-ends in the free software community, dating back to 2000.
- **GNOME Integration**: A core component of the GNOME Games Collection, showcasing the project’s commitment to gaming and leisure applications.
- **Engine Compatibility**: Seamlessly works with GNU Chess, one of the oldest and most widely used chess engines.
- **Cross-Distribution Support**: Available in major Linux repositories (Fedora, Debian, Arch Linux), ensuring broad accessibility.
- **Modern Updates**: Regular version releases with improvements, including a redesigned icon in 2019 and ongoing feature enhancements.
- **Vala Implementation**: Written in Vala, a modern programming language designed for GNOME applications, ensuring performance and maintainability.

## Body
### Overview
GNOME Chess is a graphical front-end for playing chess, designed to provide an intuitive and visually appealing interface for users of the GNOME desktop environment. It serves as a bridge between terminal-based chess engines like GNU Chess and modern graphical user interfaces, making chess more accessible to a broader audience.

### History and Development
- **Inception**: GNOME Chess was first released in 2000, though its Debian package was created on October 31, 1999. It has since been a staple of the GNOME Games Collection, a suite of puzzle and strategy games.
- **Developer**: The software is maintained by The GNOME Project, a community dedicated to creating free and open-source software for Unix-like systems. Founded in August 1997, the GNOME Project emphasizes usability, accessibility, and freedom.
- **Version History**: GNOME Chess has undergone numerous updates, with notable releases including:
  - **3.26.0** (September 9, 2017)
  - **3.28.0** (March 10, 2018)
  - **3.34.0** (September 8, 2019)
  - **3.38.0** (September 12, 2020)
  - **40.0** (March 22, 2021)
  - **41.0** (September 16, 2021), marked as the preferred version.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: GNOME Chess is written in Vala, a programming language introduced in 2006 specifically for GNOME applications. Vala combines the performance of C with modern syntax, making it ideal for desktop applications.
- **Chess Engine Integration**: The software primarily interfaces with GNU Chess, a chess-playing program that dates back to 1984. GNU Chess can run in a terminal or serve as a back-end engine for graphical front-ends like GNOME Chess.
- **Operating System Compatibility**: GNOME Chess is designed for Unix-like systems, including Linux distributions such as Fedora, Debian, and Arch Linux. It is distributed under package names like `gnome-chess` in these repositories.

### Features and Design
- **Graphical Interface**: Unlike terminal-based chess programs, GNOME Chess provides a user-friendly GUI with visual representations of the chessboard, pieces, and game states.
- **Iconography**: The application’s icon was updated in 2019 to a glossy SVG design, reflecting modern GNOME design standards.
- **Game Modes**: Users can play against the computer (using engines like GNU Chess) or engage in local multiplayer matches.

### Licensing and Distribution
- **Free Software**: GNOME Chess is licensed as free software, allowing users to run, study, modify, and redistribute the code. The license is documented in the project’s COPYING file and appdata.xml.
- **Package Availability**: The software is widely available in Linux repositories:
  - **Fedora**: `gnome-chess`
  - **Debian**: `gnome-chess` (since 1999)
  - **Arch Linux**: `gnome-chess`
- **Aliases**: The project is also known by alternative names such as `glchess` and `Chess`.

### Community and Ecosystem
- **GNOME Games Collection**: GNOME Chess is part of the GNOME Games Collection, a curated set of puzzle and strategy games designed for the GNOME desktop environment.
- **Documentation and Support**: The official wiki ([GNOME Chess Wiki](https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Chess)) provides documentation, history, and development updates.
- **Wikidata and External References**: The project is cataloged in Wikidata and Libregamewiki (ID: 13017), with additional references in Freebase (`/m/047mvyp`).

### Related Projects and Technologies
- **GNU Chess**: The primary chess engine used by GNOME Chess, offering robust AI opponents and terminal-based gameplay.
- **Vala Language**: The programming language used to develop GNOME Chess, ensuring compatibility with the GNOME ecosystem.
- **GNOME Project**: The broader community responsible for developing GNOME Chess, along with other desktop applications and tools.

### Future and Maintenance
GNOME Chess continues to receive updates, with the latest stable version (41.0) released in September 2021. The project remains an active part of the GNOME ecosystem, with ongoing contributions from developers and the open-source community. Its integration with modern chess engines and adherence to free software principles ensure its relevance in the open-source gaming landscape.

## References

1. [icon: update app icon. 2019](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/commit/8ac6fdd8a1bf3c3205f44bf1e331b37d124fc528)
2. [Source](https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps(2f)Chess(2f)History.html)
3. [Source](https://git.gnome.org/browse/gnome-chess/tree/COPYING)
4. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/blob/master/data/org.gnome.Chess.appdata.xml.in)
5. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/tags/3.26.0)
6. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/tags/3.28.0)
7. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/tags/3.28.1)
8. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.34.0)
9. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.35.3)
10. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.36.0)
11. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.37.1)
12. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.37.1.1)
13. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.37.2)
14. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.36.1)
15. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.37.3)
16. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.38.0)
17. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.36.2)
18. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/3.38.1)
19. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/40.alpha)
20. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/40.0)
21. [GNOME Chess 40.1. 2021](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-chess/-/tags/40.1)
22. [gnome-chess 41.0](https://mail.gnome.org/archives/ftp-release-list/2021-September/msg00064.html)
23. [Source](https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Chess/History)
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. [Source](https://packages.debian.org/source/bookworm/gnome-chess)
26. Q124398839