Chess Openings Wizard

Byzantine UI, training mode doesn’t work as expected

Unusable since the newest update. The interface was never good, but now it is also broken.

The basic functionality of this is fine. It does what it’s supposed to do, and does it better than most other apps you’ll find. The biggest advantage it has is in how all the notes and evaluations you have are attached to the actual position, not the move list. This means it doesn’t matter if you arrive at the position from a different move order, it will connect you to all the notes you previously made about that position. But there are gotchas: There’s no flexibility in the layout. Among other things, this means if you want to write a text note about the position, the edit box it opens obscures most of the position you want to write about. Being able to do simple things like resize and/or relocate the board (or edit box) on screen would fix that. It fails to take real advantage of the cloud. You can’t work with or directly store files in the cloud. You have to pass everything through Dropbox. This adds an extra process that complicates sharing data between phone and tablet, for example. (“Did I upload those changes to Dropbox from my phone? Is the latest version on my tablet or my phone, or in Dropbox?”) just giving it the normal iOS files interface would fix that. It’s a useful tool, made a little less useful by some less than optimal design decisions. But if you don’t mind having to create a Dropbox account just to transfer data between devices (my biggest issue with it) and you can work effectively with the developer’s choice for screen layout, it’ll help you succeed.

The interface is not well suited for a mobile application. The app needs a chess engine server to run on your local network Mac or Windows desktop/laptop for analysis, which is not practical. Why use this clunky interface when you have to also fire up another computer!? Functionally, this is an incomplete port of a Desktop application written in Delphi.

Not only do I make my opening books, I also make data bases for combinations and endgames and transfer from Mac. I keep them small so they only take about ten minutes in training mode. That way I can do them on break. It is a good way to stay sharp when you can’t play games. It is also a good way to keep track of the off beat openings that seem to be played more often to stay out of book. It is also a great way to keep track of your correspondence games.

This a waste of money unless you buy the Windows or Mac programs. The interface is poorly designed and it looks like a bad Windows program brought to the iOS.

I have used it since it first came out decades ago. It was great then and it is even better today! Mike thanks for always working to make it better and better. It is the best way to put your opening repertoires online and play them over and over to get them locked in you memory. Add to that opening hooks you can buy like the London System and you have everything you need to be a better chess player. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I’ve had trouble deciding whether this should be rated four or five stars. The case for five stars is that it does exactly what I need it to do and very well. It’s the ideal coach for someone trying to improve at chess. I’ve bought one of the ebooks and been adding variations to it. I like the training that it offers, and I think it’s helpful that it can access a chess engine running on a Mac or PC and show results. The case against five stars is that I’m dissatisfied with the overall look and feel. I’ve written to the developer with feedback and suggestions, and I’m encouraged that he’s not trying to defend how it looks. He agrees with the feedback and asked me to watch for future versions that will become more iPad-like; he was concentrating on functionality for this first version.

This app is perfect for studying openings and other aspects of the game. A strong chess player must be good at all stages of the game. Endgames, Middle games, tactics and Openings. Bookup has been improving players chess for a long time. It is very nice to see this app on the iPad. There is no other app like this for the iPad. Yes this app is worth the money. In fact it is a bargain at this price. Buy this app and start improving. I plan to use it to make Master someday. Current rating USCF 2115, FIDE 2101. Thanks to the developer for the great app!!

I will revise this review if I find a way to make this app useful but I am very disappointed in having spent $34 on it. First, this is a port of an existing PC application and looks like it. Scrolling text opens a dialog box that covers the board that the text talks about. Opening a new “eBook” and simply one touching it wont work you will then need to click ok just like a windows app. The app does not make good use of the viewable area of my iPad Pro. Second, if you are expecting some prebuilt “eBooks” that will teach you an opening I don’t see that anywhere. The video introducing the app on the web site talks about modifying existing books but not sure how that helps me. It is clear that the developer was able to take a collection of games and create an eBook but I don’t see where to do that. The 5 star reviews are all from long time existing users and they will already have been using the PC application. The PC application might fill all my needs and this is designed to work with that but as a stand alone app this is a lot of money for what you are getting.