Classic Games Database
ClassicGames DB

The Chessmaster

Review
Also known as
Sega Chess チェスマスター

Challenge the CPU across 16 difficulty levels or play a friend in this classic board game simulation.

The Chessmaster SNES version was released in 1991 by Hi-Tech Expressions; the original game debuted in 1986 on computers.

About The Chessmaster

The Chessmaster is a chess simulation for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System where players compete against a computer opponent. Moves are executed by using a cursor to pick up and place pieces according to standard chess rules.

Its artificial intelligence offers a challenging range of sixteen difficulty settings. These include beginner tiers, thirteen standard levels with varying calculation times, and an infinite mode where the computer deliberates until it finds an optimal move or is forced to act.

Beyond solo play, the software supports two human players using separate controllers. An automated mode allows the Chessmaster to play against itself, and a teaching feature highlights all legal moves for a selected piece.

The Chessmaster Screenshots

8 images
Title screen
White goes first.
I moved a pawn and black moved a knight.
Oops! That's not allowed.
Black's queen takes my pawn.
White's king is in check.
Black's king has castled.
White's king is checkmated. Black wins.