Do you play better chess using an iPad?

My son got an iPad from school, and Dad gets to play with it! :) This little gizmo allows one to play Internet chess in more ways than with a laptop, i.e, while hanging upside down on a Teeter Hang Up, or walking on a treadmill, or while taking a stroll around the block. The possibilities are endless. No need to be shackled to a desk. Hmm...

I use an iPad daily, but often play poorly using it for blitz. On chess.com, it is a severe handicap. The ICC app is even worse. Chess-wise for connection to FICS is okay, but I'm still better with a mouse.

Do you mean that there is lag when using the iPad touchscreen, or maybe using the Safari web browser? I was thinking of trying it with 15/10 games. I certainly can't think as fast as you, I.e., 3 0 and Bullet!

The app does not allow premove, and the touch screen does not respond as quickly as a mouse. There seem to be too many variables with touch screens: fingers too cold or hot, too wet or dry.

I am still struggling with my low back, so having some use of an iPad is helpful, like resting flat on my back while checking forums or doing tactics trainer. I can even do that stuff while on my inversion table, called Teeter. Standing and sitting are still a strain on my back, so the iPad really makes a difference in the amount of time I can spend on the Internet, making it much more comfortable. Thank you, Apple!

I don't know because I have never had an Ipad, Iphone, Iwidget or any other I item of computer gadjet that puts me in the thrall of Apple and their universe.

I can't stand iPads, they are slow, the apps on them are worse than their Android counterparts (this is especially visible with Shredder Chess and ICC's app), they're way too expensive (I got my 10inch tablet for $120 and it supports Flash) etc.

But anything that puts you into easy contact with chess will help you to get better.

Imagine if you got a chess book or a coach or something... I mean if an iPad got you 400 points really quickly...

lol ;)

Although this review is almost two years old (prehistoric in the iPad chronology), the apps listed remain most of those that I use on a regular basis.

http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2011/01/chess-on-ipad.html

When I practice set positions, I usually choose Hiarcs because setting up the position is easier, and the engine is strong.

I'm still using Shredder for its 1000 tactics problems, and also work the 300 in Chess-wise.

tChessPro remains a terrifically useful database program, but I like how CBase Chess handles annotations. I use both.

Tactic Trainer is a useful training program. See http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2012/07/tactic-trainer-for-ipad-ipod-iphone.html. 

Ziryab wrote:

Although this review is almost two years old (prehistoric in the iPad chronology), the apps listed remain most of those that I use on a regular basis.http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2011/01/chess-on-ipad.htmlWhen I practice set positions, I usually choose Hiarcs because setting up the position is easier, and the engine is strong.

I'm still using Shredder for its 1000 tactics problems, and also work the 300 in Chess-wise.tChessPro remains a terrifically useful database program, but I like how CBase Chess handles annotations. I use both.

Tactic Trainer is a useful training program. See http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2012/07/tactic-trainer-for-ipad-ipod-iphone.html 

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Thanks James!

I downloaded the tactics trainer iPad app for $2.99. It's a really nice looking interface, and I zoomed up to over 1500 Elo before handing it over to my son, who then brought the elo back to 1228. Regardless of how accurate the Elo is, I set a goal for my son, and that is to match my iPad elo, so that we can have better chess games together. He misses too many easy one move forks and stuff. To think, I was there at one time.

Consider adding your chess blog link to all of your posts, especially so that I remember to visit it! For those that have not visited Ziryab's chess blog site, it is excellent, full of lots of quality educational content.

Update: I just changed the board and pieces for the iPad Tactic Trainer to marble green and my favorite chess pieces. It looks just like the board I used when I was playing on the ICC server.

Update 2: The iPad Tactic Trainer puzzles are easier than the Chess.com puzzles, by maybe 200-300 points. I just raised my son's Elo score from 1200 to 1300 in a few minutes, with each puzzle worth about 5 points. My best Chess.com Tactics Trainer score was 1432, but that was when my back was not bugging me. My TT score hear is in the 1200's at the moment, and they are harder than the 1200 problems on the iPad one.

It doesn't make the iPad TT bad, it is just good to know to subtract 200 to 300 points when comparing the two.

What tactics trainer gives you an Elo score that most closely matches your OTB rating, Chess Tempo, Chess.com, or some other tactics trainer?

linuxblue1 wrote:

I don't know because I have never had an Ipad, Iphone, Iwidget or any other I item of computer gadjet that puts me in the thrall of Apple and their universe.

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My topic could have been titled, "Do you play better chess using a tablet". It's the portability and the possibility to get into more back friendly positions for now, struggling with low back problems.

I would be happy to hear stories of people using other tablets for Internet chess.

I find the kool-aid mustache can be quite intimidating to my opponents.

I wouldn't say I play better chess with iPad, but it certainly has helped me on my way to a better chess player. I occasionally play live chess with chess.com app (with some sec increment in order to compensate somewhat  slower input) and also use it for correspondence games.

I've noticed I use chessbase online database app a lot and it's very nice to use with iPad, especially when they updated it that it remembers the position when you leave the program.

Interactive chess books...... that's all

I wouldn't say I play better chess with my iPad/Tablet....but  I play more comfortable ....

no

Play with greater comfort. That is key for me right now. Any posture that gets my spine into a neutral position is the best for me. By neutral, I mean things like no slouching and no hunching over a keyboard.

When I use a laptop, I place it on the kitchen bar/counter and elevate my laptop even more with a stack of books so that I don't have to bend at the neck to see the screen. I am about 6 feet tall.

There have been many studies that suggest that sitting for long periods of time, like at a cubicle, is not only bad for your back, but bad for your health. Companies like google permit and maybe pay for different types of workstations for people who have jobs that require 8-10 hours of keyboard entry, like standing workstations, and even treadmill stations!

James - Do you use a usb keyboard for typing with the iPad, or do you just use the touchscreen? My son has big coordination limitations, and he can type much better than he can write by hand. I am thinking about getting him a keyboard for his iPad, or maybe the school can make that accommodation for him.

I agree with you Musik.....plus a tablet/iPad is easier to carry....gosh...lucky you...Im a 5 foot tall munchkin  hahahahahahaha

I use the touchscreen. Most of the time that I'm home I use my laptop or occasionally desktop. I use the iPad in bed, during television commercials, in the loo, and when I am not at home. Sometimes I use the iPad and laptop simultaneously for different tasks.