Sinclair ZX Spectrum Chess is a chess application designed for the Spectrum with 48K RAM. It is crafted in Z80 machine code, known for its speed and efficiency. Released in 1982 by Psion Software in collaboration with Mikro-Gen and Sinclair Research, the game features a high-resolution graphical display of the chessboard and pieces. It offers ten levels of difficulty, with level 2 likely capable of defeating you!
Playing the game
CHESS is a machine code program that automatically executes once loaded. Load and run by typing LOAD “CHESS”. After loading the chessboard with pieces laid out for the beginning of a game will automatically appear.
The program will ask the user whether he wants to play or set up the board differently. Press P to play. The user will then be asked what colour he would like to play. Press W for white and B for black. Finally, the level of play is required. Press a number from 0 to 9. Usually, it is sufficient to play at one of the lower levels(0 to 3, say) for a rapid response to moves. The positions of the pieces on the board are defined using modern algebraic notation. The columns on the board are labelled A to H and the rows 1 to 8.
In the initial set-up, the White Queen’s rook is always square A1. The rows and columns on the board are labelled on the screen.
To enter your move, type the coordinates (column letter followed by row number) of the square of the piece you want to move followed by the coordinates of the square to which you wish to move it. No delimiter between the coordinates “from” and “to” is required – it will automatically be inserted. After you have typed in your move, the appropriate piece will be moved, and the computer will consider and apply its move.
All legal moves are allowed including castling and en passant. The program will not allow an invalid move on the part of the user. Castling is achieved by entering the king’s move. On entering your move, if you make an error, you may always correct it by using the delete key either shifted or unshifted.
A number of commands may be applied at any stage. Typing the key R asks the computer to recommend a move to you and it will do so at the same level of search on which it is currently set. L allows you to change the level at which the computer is playing.Z will copy the complete screen to an attached printer. T will save the current game to cassette to enable it to be resumed later. X exits from the game to start afresh or to set up the board.
Setting up the board
You may set up the board to examine a problem as you wish.At the start of the game or after exiting, press S for set – up. The cursor keys 5, 6, 7, and 8 can be used either shifted or unshifted to move a flashing cursor around the screen. The command C clears the board of pieces completely.The delete key deletes the piece at the cursor position.The letters K, Q, R, B, N and P are used to place the appropriate piece on the board. X exits from the set-up routine.
Buying Retro Cassette Tape Games
While we’ve experienced minimal to no difficulties loading both sides of this Spectrum Cassette game. It’s important to understand that results may vary on your equipment. Therefore, please keep in mind that these are sold primarily for decorative purposes, and any loading challenges you encounter will be your responsibility.
Box contains:
Chess – Spectrum original cassette
Original trifold inlay instructions
Original cassette case
What’s it like today?
Rarity: Fairly rare
Typical value: £3.50
Boxed & Mint: £4.95 – £10.00
Fun Factor: 
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