Virtua Chess

Did You Know?

• The 3D graphics were modeled using a Silicon Graphics computer.
• The interface can display up to nine windows simultaneously, including both 2D and 3D boards.
• Virtua Chess supports multiplayer via IPX and Saitek's magnetic PC Auto Chessboard.

Development

Jean-Christophe Weill began programming the chess engine in 1989 while studying for a Diplôme d'études approfondies in artificial intelligence. He entered a chess engine tournament with Marc-François Baudot; the engine finished second to last but drew against Mephisto. Weill attributed the poor result to bugs, including one involving the en passant rule. The engine was later rewritten entirely in assembly language. At a tournament, the developers met Eric Caen from Titus, leading to a commercial program with Titus handling graphics and sound. A beta version ranked 36th out of 796 participants in a January 1995 European tournament, with an estimated Elo of 2300.

Reception

PC Gamer criticized the lack of a tutorial but noted strong gameplay and a smooth interface. Joystick called it the best program of its kind, praising the multi-windowing, 3D board view, and levels suited to beginners, while criticizing the lack of null modem multiplayer. Génération 4 liked the interface and options but called the graphics and sound austere, and found it unfriendly to beginners. The Windows version was said to have an improved interface. Computer Gaming World considered Kasparov's Gambits better in interface and Chessmaster 4000 and 5000 stronger in opponents, calling Virtua Chess bargain-bin material. PC Joker found the interface awkward.