Chess Software
Amateur A freeware chess engine by Will Singleton that can be used with Fixation for using an automated computer account on the ICC, FICS or USCL.
Big Bang Chess Free chess application for Mac OS X 10.3 or later.
Blitzin Blitzin is the ICC's free client software. The ICC started on a Macintosh port but it was never completed (due to lack of interest I believe).
Bookup BOOKUP is the world's only positional chess database. BOOKUP has been described as a chess book that "comes to life on the screen." The most common application is quick research and training in chess opening theory. In contrast to game databases, BOOKUP stores each position and finds any transposition (regardless of move order) instantly. This feature makes BOOKUP ideal for keeping track of opening theory. Latest version for the Mac is 2.5.
ChessBase Chess database software where you can search for and analyze positions and create your own opening repertoire.
Chessic A free chess client for the Internet Chess Club. Requires Mac OS X.
Chess Master Chess Master, commercial software from Mindscape. ChessMaster 10th edition is the latest version, released in 2004. ChessMaster 6000 is the latest Macintosh version. One annoying feature of CM 6000 is that you have to put the CD-ROM in the drive to use it.
Chess Tutor A Java based online chess tutor.
ChessWorks ChessWorks is a multi-player chess game that is playable over the internet or a LAN. ChessWorks is free and features its own built in tracker that helps you find people to play against.
Crafty Crafty is a free chess engine written by Bob Hyatt. It is available for a number of platforms including Macintosh and Unix. The Internet Chess Club runs quite a few Crafty players which many GMs take a crack at defeating. I have used Crafty for running summit on the ICC. XBoard can be used to interface Crafty with the ICC.
ExaChess Commercial chess database software for the Macintosh. A free version called ExaChess Lite is also available.
Fixation 2.x Fixation is a Macintosh client for playing online chess at the ICC, FICS, USCL or chess.net. Fixation 2.x is available for download from this site.
HIARCS A very strong chess program. The current Macintosh version is 7.0.
Internet Chess for the Mac Chess client for the Internet Chess Club by Strategy Labs. No longer being updated.
Kasparov Chessmate Endorsed by Garry Kasparov. Commercial software from MacPlay.
MacChess MacChess is a free, master-strength Macintosh chess program written by Wim van Beusekom. MacChess will play against you, analyze positions for you, and make diagrams for Web pages and newsletters. Features PGN/EPD support, batch position analysis and "next best move".
Mac Chess Info Information on chess software for the Mac. Includes information on building Xboard and crafty.
Rebel Rebel is a commercial chess program.
RoboFICS RoboFICS is a text based interface primarily used to run automated computer accounts on the FICS. I use RoboFICS for running Talus on the FICS. RoboFICS is designed to work on Unix and currently there is no Mac version (not known if it runs on Mac OS X).
Screamer Screamer is a freeware chess engine for the Mac written by Will Bryant. It features a graphical user interface, scripting and Apple Events support, Exachess compatibility, opening book, 3,4,5 man EGTB support, PGN logging.
Sigma Chess 6 A freeware master strength program that runs on Power Macs and 68K systems. A professional version is available with many more features with payment of a shareware fee. Classic and Carbon versions available.
Vanessa Chess A multi-document, multithreading chess game. $10 Shareware. For Mac OS 8.6 - 9.2.
Vektor3 A multi-document, multithreading chess game. $10 Shareware. For Mac OS X.
Virtual Chess Test your ability against the grand masters of chess. This award-winning algorithm allows players to choose between skill levels that range from beginner all the way to world champion. Commercial software from MacPlay.
XBoard XBoard, written by Tim Mann, is a free X11 interface to the Internet Chess Club. It can be used to interface crafty with the ICC to run an automated computer account. XBoard will run on Mac OS X although you will need build it yourself and install Apple's free X11 application.

Revised: November 20, 2004