The Chess40 guide

Step 1

Welcome to Chess40. In the 3D world the board turns when dragged with one finger or the mouse, and two fingers or the mouse wheel zoom in and out. The 2D/3D switch at the top changes the view to a flat board and back. Try it now: switch the view once.

Step 2

To move a piece, tap it and then one of the squares that light up — or drag it there. Only the squares it may legally reach are lit. Now move the pawn from e2 to e4.

White to move.

Step 3

The Hall leads everywhere: Play (the computer at ten levels, or two players on one device), Puzzles (the daily puzzle, rated puzzles and the Forty Challenge), the Academy, and My games. Where are forty puzzles solved against the clock?

1. Two players
2. The Forty Challenge
3. My games

Step 4

Before a game, a clock can be chosen. “5+0” gives each player five minutes; “3+2” gives three, and adds two seconds after every move. Only the clock of the side to move runs, and the player whose time runs out usually loses. What does “3+2” mean?

1. Three moves every two minutes
2. Three games of two minutes
3. Three minutes each, plus two seconds a move

Step 5

Stuck in a game? “Hint” shows a strong move and “Undo” takes one back — both are switched on before the game starts. Afterwards, “Analyse the game” in My games points out the mistakes. Here, “Show me” works like a hint: it marks the winning move. Then play it.

White to move.

Step 6

Settings hold the language, motion, the board view and how pieces move: by tap, by drag or both. The “?” at the top of each screen explains that screen, and Settings → Help & tutorial opens this guide again. Which setting makes pieces move only by dragging?

1. Motion: Reduced
2. Moving pieces: Drag
3. Board view: 2D