baKno Chess 5.1.0

Free Chess Game

Play the classic game of chess on your Mac computer or laptop, rendered in beautiful 3D graphics on detailed recreations of handcrafted chess boards. Play against the AI or real people.

Straight Chess

There's not much in the way of extras in bakNo Chess. What you're getting is essentially a simulation of the chess playing experience. No quirky game modes or interesting backdrops. Just a chess board, some pieces, and an unseen opponent. Granted, that board and pieces are rendered beautifully by the game. You can play against a friend, either in person or online, and or you can play against the computer.

Needs Optimisation

While banKo Chess looks great, the stress it places on lots of Mac computers is excessive, with reporting that their Macbook became very hot. The user interface is also somewhat unfriendly. Beyond that, it would be nice to have backdrops, rather than plain black backgrounds, and perhaps some alternative game modes to add a little value and replay-ability. If these issues aren't a problem for you, however, this is a good looking free game, and chess is always fun.