Interactive Move Analyzer

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rgp1942

I have searched the web without success for an answer, so will post my question here....

Is there an Android app or web site or PC program for people learning chess that will highlight the squares that are in jeopardy for your men?  For example, could click a button to see all squares on the board that are in jeopardy from your opponent.  Also, could make a trial move and see all the squares your man is putting in jeopardy (say in green), AND all the opponent men who are putting your man in jeopardy if you move there (say in red).

When playing others I don't want a program that would tell me my best move -- that would be cheating.  But something that would light up squares as you are pondering various moves would be very helpful.  Especially to a 72 year old man who is a "just for fun" player.  I'm currently using RedHotPawn.com, but starting with my next game I'm switching over to Chess.com because it is a much more robust site for amateurs like me, and because you have up to date apps for both iPhone and Android.

Thanks for whatever suggestions you can offer!  :o)

baddogno

Chess King does that.  I'll try to get a copy and paste: Fail.  Oh well, you can find in settings the following in different colors and symbols: attacks, is attacked by, moves, covers, and is covered by.  A few thousand exercises come with the program designed to increase your board vision and teach tactics.  You also get to play against the computer at full strength but with the handicap of it missing a piece or two (or many for beginners).  Good bang for the buck although it has a few idiosyncracies.  I think Fritz has what you want too, but I'm too lazy to boot it up for you (and it's much harder to use than ChessKing)

http://chess-king.com/products/

Pretty sure it would  be illegal to use the kind of program you're looking for while playing someone, but helpful while playing the computer, and as I said, ChessKing has a boatload of exercises to help you get better at chess.

EscherehcsE

Yeah, Arena and my ancient version of Fritz both have an "attacked pieces" feature. It shows attacked pieces for both sides simultaneously (basically any attacked piece on the board at any one time). A red square is an underguarded piece, a yellow square is an adequately guarded piece, and a green square is an overguarded piece. You can't make any trial moves though.

"Attacked pieces" in Arena is almost a secret feature; It may not even be documented. To activate, you have to right-click your mouse on the chessboard and then toggle on "Show Attacked Pieces".

I'm not really much of a fan of this feature. I think you'd have to be careful that it doesn't end up being a crutch.

rgp1942

Arena does just what I was looking for, and it's free!  Thanks!

(p.s. You're right, this feature is not documented in the help file.)