Primus Chess 1.9.1

A more human chess engine.

Primus is a unique and contemporary chess engine tailored for intermediate players (up to 2000 Elo). It has been meticulously crafted to exhibit less mechanical behavior, aiming to emulate the strategic aspects of human play. In lower skill tiers, it deliberately commits simple blunders that are readily identifiable, while at advanced levels, players must capitalize on subtler tactical and strategic mistakes. At its peak performance, Primus plays at approximately 2000 Elo; nevertheless, even at this level, occasional simulated lapses in focus occur.

The development of this engine stemmed from dissatisfaction with the dominating tactical prowess displayed by modern chess engines. Many contemporary engines possess such formidable tactical acumen that overcoming them requires a specialized defensive approach or anti-computer strategies, vastly differing from human opponents. The primary aim was to design an engine that accommodates a more organic, strategic gameplay style providing opportunities to exploit occasional errors.

Primus offers a mate puzzle generator that produces a vast array of checkmate challenges to hone your chess intuition. Additionally, it features multiplayer modes enabling players to utilize their device as a virtual chessboard or engage in matches via Bluetooth or wireless connectivity with local opponents.

A "Time Control" mode has been incorporated to enable players to adhere to standard chess time controls rather than predefined difficulty settings.

Key features:

• Mate puzzle generator offering numerous puzzles
• Two-player mode over Bluetooth/LAN
• Tabletop mode for using your device as a virtual chessboard
• Various board configurations, piece sets, and graphical customization options
• Support for all skill levels ranging from novice to expert
• Orientation support for maximizing compatibility with iPad Smart Case or stand
• Multi-tasking support allowing users to follow videos or ebooks concurrently
• Focus mode enabling UI hiding for enhanced board concentration
• Puzzles and practice levels for refining endgame skills or undertaking challenging scenarios
• Mini-tournament mode consisting of a six-game mini-tournament setup for serious players
• Elo rating estimation based on gameplay results