Excellent Chess Prep
I have used one version or another of this program for decades now. It used to be called Bookup and was only available on the PC. This is the current iteration of that program, and it is designed to work with the PC or Mac versions of the program. One very large improvement in this regard is the ability to upload and download files from the cloud. The author has made this very easy to do, and so you can study and research your repertoire on the move, as well as have it safely backed up.
The main benefit is the training features allowing you to test out and focus your training on those areas that give you the most trouble.
There is one trick I advise. When training black, you need to set up the trainer to work after White's first move. This has to do with the "reset training" command not working on the first move for White when you train for Black
The biggest thing about this program is that you can easily build your own repertoire rather than relying on e-books alone. You can combine, cut, do whatever you want to tailor it specifically tomyou.
The main benefit is the training features allowing you to test out and focus your training on those areas that give you the most trouble.
There is one trick I advise. When training black, you need to set up the trainer to work after White's first move. This has to do with the "reset training" command not working on the first move for White when you train for Black
The biggest thing about this program is that you can easily build your own repertoire rather than relying on e-books alone. You can combine, cut, do whatever you want to tailor it specifically tomyou.
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Good Trainer if you know the quirks
I have used the various versions of Bookup, and then Chess Opening Wizard for several decades. It is still an excellent way to train your own repertoire. There are some kinks. To reset training on the ipad if training black, set the trainer to start after white's first move as the starting position. It seems to work better if you begin at a screen where you have to make a move to start things off, and if you are playing black, that is not the starting position.So just hit one move, set the trainer to return to that position, and things will be fine from there.
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Could have been best app but
No update for ages. This update has been long awaited and is so small that it is ridiculous. I love the app on PC but on mobile, that’s not the same. PGN loader and analysis tool plus Anki is much more cheaper and best combination in my opinion. Looks ugly on this modern era too.
Byzantine UI, training mode doesn’t work as advertised
Byzantine UI, training mode doesn’t work as expected
Disappointed!
This app is very confusing and difficult to work with and consumes so much time for creating even the most basic repertoires. Not worth the money and the time for sure!
Broken interface with newest update
Unusable since the newest update. The interface was never good, but now it is also broken.
Good functionality, but a bit crusty
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.
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.
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Not useful as an opening training app
Refund requested
Hard to use
The help files aren’t great and the layout looks very 1990s.
I bought this thinking it had all the features of the PC version.
Pretty disappointed.
I bought this thinking it had all the features of the PC version.
Pretty disappointed.
Clunky interface
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.
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.
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Easy way to improve opening, middle game and endgames
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.
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Amazing !!!
C’est le meilleur programme d’échecs pour répertorier et étudier ses ouvertures !!! Bravo Mike ! Tu es le meilleur ! You are the Best !!!
Poor design / not useful as stand alone app
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 am so happy that Bookup is finally available on Apple devices
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!
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!
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Very happy with functionality; look & feel needs improvement
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.
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.
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Want to be A Strong Chess Player?
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!!
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Bad use of my $34
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.
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.
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On the iPad at last
I have had this on my Pc for some time. It’s great to see it on IPad at last.
A convenient version of a favorite
I’ve been using Chess Openings Wizard (previously Bookup) since 1991. There really is no other solution for learning your openings. This is my 3rd platform with this app - Windows, Mac, and now iPad.
I haven’t experienced any crashes. I was able to copy over my files using dropbox. I also set up remote engine server. No crashes and my repertoire files worked perfect.
I did run into a problem where jump to a named position left me unable to get back to the starting position. I added a new named position in my white and black repertoire files called Starting Position to prevent that from happening again.
I’d suggest making copies of your files and copying back very carefully. Not a lot of visual cues available that you might be overwriting the wrong direction.
I really think I’ll train more with the convenience of the iPad.
I haven’t experienced any crashes. I was able to copy over my files using dropbox. I also set up remote engine server. No crashes and my repertoire files worked perfect.
I did run into a problem where jump to a named position left me unable to get back to the starting position. I added a new named position in my white and black repertoire files called Starting Position to prevent that from happening again.
I’d suggest making copies of your files and copying back very carefully. Not a lot of visual cues available that you might be overwriting the wrong direction.
I really think I’ll train more with the convenience of the iPad.
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Great Application for Tournament, Professional and Casual chess players.
I have had Chess Opening Wizard (COW) for a few years now. When I first started the program, I was a tactical chess player who really only played through the use of intuition. However, the problem that I ran into, is that in this day and age, simply playing by pure intuition doesn’t always end well. I decided that I was going to take the step and solidify my playing style and learn openings that would compliment my tactical playing style.
COW helped me immensely and opened up my eyes to the colorful world of opening theory. With its simplistic design and easy to use interface, it is my go to program for seriously studying chess. With it, I was able to create sophisticated, yet easily manageable openings whenever a new opening idea came to mind.
The ability to work on the go is amazing with the new IPad App. I am able to set up an engine on my computer, so my opening repertoire has access to powerful engines such as Stockfish and Komodo.
Not only does the app allow me to create these amazing and solid repertoires, I am also able to add notations to the lines I find critical, or ones that I need to explore more thoroughly. I am also able to use the training feature that the app offers, which allows my training to improve drastically through the use of repetition.
If you are a tournament chess player, a professional chess player, or simply an individual who loves to play coffee house chess, this app is amazing and will help your game improve greatly. Training and studying has never felt more fun, or as rewarding when using this IPad App.
COW helped me immensely and opened up my eyes to the colorful world of opening theory. With its simplistic design and easy to use interface, it is my go to program for seriously studying chess. With it, I was able to create sophisticated, yet easily manageable openings whenever a new opening idea came to mind.
The ability to work on the go is amazing with the new IPad App. I am able to set up an engine on my computer, so my opening repertoire has access to powerful engines such as Stockfish and Komodo.
Not only does the app allow me to create these amazing and solid repertoires, I am also able to add notations to the lines I find critical, or ones that I need to explore more thoroughly. I am also able to use the training feature that the app offers, which allows my training to improve drastically through the use of repetition.
If you are a tournament chess player, a professional chess player, or simply an individual who loves to play coffee house chess, this app is amazing and will help your game improve greatly. Training and studying has never felt more fun, or as rewarding when using this IPad App.
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