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That variety is the key to choosing correctly. A “Linux chess app” may mean a board for playing, a database for thousands of games, a front end for Stockfish, or a client for an Internet Chess Server. The list below compares each application by the job it performs, not by an unsupported universal ranking.
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Key takeaways
- PyChess is the strongest all-around starting point for many Linux desktop users because its documented feature set includes local engines, eight difficulty levels, online play, PGN/EPD/FEN files, variants, an opening book, and Hint Mode.
- Lucas Chess is the clearest training-first choice, while Scid and ChessX are better suited to serious game-database and PGN work.
- Stockfish is a chess engine, not a complete chessboard application; Stockfish must be installed inside a compatible GUI such as Lucas Chess, En Croissant, ChessX, Cute Chess, Nibbler, or JFXChess.
- XBoard is one of the broadest traditional interfaces, supporting engines, Internet Chess Servers, correspondence chess, PGN, and variants including Chess960, xiangqi, shogi, and Makruk.
- Lightweight and specialist options such as ChessMD, OChess, eboard, CoreChess, SlugChess, and Atom Chess make more sense when your task is specific than when you want one universal app.
Which Linux chess app should you choose?
Choose PyChess for a broad desktop client, Lucas Chess for structured training, Scid or ChessX for studying a large PGN collection, and Nibbler or En Croissant for engine analysis. Choose XBoard or eboard for server-oriented play, and SlugChess for unusual chess variants. These are use-case recommendations, not benchmark rankings.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner training | Lucas Chess | Training-oriented desktop application with strong training facilities | Do not infer a fixed number of exercises or engines from this comparison |
| All-around desktop chess | PyChess | Local play, eight difficulty levels, Hint Mode, files, variants, and online support | Feature and package availability can vary by distribution |
| PGN database study | Scid | Chess-game database application focused on collecting, searching, and studying games | Exact current database limits are not established here |
| Database plus analysis | ChessX | Chess database and FICS client that can host Stockfish | Confirm current packages and engine setup on your distribution |
| Local engine analysis | Nibbler | Analysis GUI for UCI engines with Stockfish installation guidance | It is primarily an analysis tool, not a training suite |
| Modern analysis workflow | En Croissant | Modern GUI/toolkit option with engine integration and analysis workflows | Do not assume a particular package format without checking the project instructions |
| Online servers and variants | XBoard | Engine interface, Internet Chess Server support, PGN, correspondence chess, and many variants | Its traditional X Window System interface may feel less modern |
| Variant experimentation | SlugChess | Features Fog-of-War and shuffled officers | Its appeal is novelty and variant play, not a documented full analysis suite |
The underlying ecosystem is broader than the phrase “chess app” suggests. The LinuxLinks roundup of free and open-source Linux chess applications separates front ends, engines, databases, and tournament managers. The 17 applications below therefore should be compared by purpose rather than forced into a single best-to-worst ranking.
#1 Best Overall
- ♕EXCELLENT QUALITY♛: The Staunton style wooden chess set is made up of walnut and maple with well polished and smooth. The 34 pieces are also carved beautifully and clearly, felt bottoms to prevent chess board scratching. The wood grain and color of the board and pieces that make it a classic and nicely finished feel. So good idea for room decoration also if you want to play there.
- ♕FOLDING CHESS BOARD♛: The magnetic chess board is large enough but quite compact when folded up. The extended size is 15 x 15 x 1 inches, the brass hinges allow the board to be flexibly extended without warping. Folded is 15 x 7½ x 2 inches, the closure snaps are aligned perfectly. The size of the squares is approx 1.61 inches. Portable chess set at 3.6 pounds of weight, both you and your children can easily carry it around to play.
- ♕MAGNETIC CHESSMEN♛: These handcrafted pieces are constructed of nice quality wood, not lightweight. Built in strong magnetism, pieces stay in place during play, even if the board is jostled or tilted, making this set ideal for travel or outdoor use. Comes with 2 extra queens for pawn promotion rule.
- ♕EASY TO SET UP AND STORE♛: Annoyed to lose pieces? Our chess board itself is a storage box, its interior foam inserts to securely hold each piece, preventing rattling and loss while carrying.
- ♕Nice Gifting Idea♛: Safe and smooth edge chess sets for kids and adults. Perfect Birthday and Christmas present for tournaments, learner or display in living rooms or sitting rooms. Unique and portable wooden chessboard game, it really helps to keep your mind and thoughts in shape! Ideal for all ages.
What is the difference between a chess GUI, engine, database, and analysis tool?
A chess GUI displays the board, accepts moves, manages games, and connects to engines or services; a chess engine calculates moves; a database stores and searches games; and an analysis tool puts engine output into a workflow for reviewing positions.
The distinction matters because installing an engine alone does not necessarily give you a usable board. Stockfish’s official download and usage documentation says users should download a GUI and then install Stockfish into it. The Stockfish repository also states that Stockfish does not include the graphical interface needed to display a chessboard and enter moves.
A Linux user may therefore combine one program from each category: PyChess for playing, Scid for a game collection, and Stockfish for analysis. A single application may cover several categories, but the category remains more useful than the label alone when deciding what to install.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat are the 17 best free and open-source Linux chess apps?
The following list covers the requested 17 applications from the cited Linux chess roundup. The roundup contains an additional project, Obsidian Chess Studio, but Obsidian Chess Studio is omitted here so the article matches the requested count of 17.
1. Lucas Chess
Lucas Chess is a training-oriented desktop chess application and a practical choice for players who want guided improvement rather than only a bare board. The LinuxLinks description emphasizes its polished interface and strong training facilities, while Stockfish’s official GUI list includes Lucas Chess among free computer GUIs.
Choose Lucas Chess when adjustable practice, exercises, and a training-focused experience matter more than database management. The available research does not establish a specific number of training modules or engines, so those details should be checked against the current project documentation before installation.
2. En Croissant
En Croissant is a modern GUI and toolkit option for Linux users who want engine integration and an analysis workflow. Stockfish’s official documentation lists En Croissant among free GUIs and provides an installation path for adding Stockfish.
En Croissant belongs on the shortlist for users who find older chess interfaces unappealing and want a contemporary analysis environment. The research does not verify a particular operating-system package format, so check the project’s current installation instructions rather than assuming that a distribution package, AppImage, Flatpak, or other format is available.
3. PyChess
PyChess is the best all-around starting point for many Linux desktop users because its project documentation describes a broad feature set rather than a single narrow role. The PyChess project repository describes PyChess as a free, feature-rich Linux and Windows chess client, primarily GTK-based and written in Python under the GNU General Public License.
PyChess supports UCI and CECP engines, eight difficulty levels, online play through FICS and ICC, PGN/EPD/FEN files, several variants, an opening book, and Hint Mode. Those capabilities make PyChess suitable for playing against a computer, reviewing positions, opening chess files, and connecting to supported online services from one client.
The project describes PyChess this way: “PyChess is a GTK chess client developed primarily for GNOME but compatible with various Linux desktop environments.” That is a project statement about design and compatibility, not an independent performance test. PyChess is a strong general recommendation, but readers should still confirm current package availability and online-service behavior on their distribution.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- INTELLIGENT ENLIGHTENMENT - Not only suitable for kids playing with fun, this magnetic chess set could be a useful tool to enlighten your family and stimulate their intelligence. Chess learning is no longer boring, but with joy and interest. Perfect for beginners and those indulged in electronic gadgets
- MAGNETIC CHESSMEN - The hand carved wood chess pieces are magnetically attached to the board and won’t fall off during the game, which allows you to play the board game on the road, in car, airplane or any mobile vehicles
- EASY TO CARRY - Lightweight and folding board design makes it portable to carry around and easy to travel with. Compact board size fits your luggage or bag when travelling while chess pieces are large enough to handle, playing with comfort
- PREMIUM QUALITY - Handmade with high quality wooden material, the smooth surface of the entire chess board ensures optimal touch comfort while playing chess and checkers game. 2 extra queens are added to the board as free accessories at your disposal
- PERFECT GIFT - Promote the relationship between children and friends or parents, sharing board game, suitable for indoor and outdoor, widely used in schools, families, camping and travel, is the most popular board game, can be used as a gift at Christmas , Children’s Day, birthday, New Year gift for children or friends, parents
4. Scid
Scid, short for Shane’s Chess Information Database, is aimed at readers whose main task is collecting, searching, and studying chess games. Scid is a database application first, so it is a more natural fit for a player with a substantial PGN collection than for someone who only wants to play a quick game.
Use Scid when finding games, organizing a study library, and reviewing historical or personal material are central requirements. The available research does not verify a current database-size limit or an exact engine feature set, so this article does not assign either specification.
5. Knights
Knights is a KDE-oriented chess game for Linux users who prefer an application that feels native to a KDE Plasma desktop. The LinuxLinks application roundup identifies Knights as a chess game for the KDE desktop environment.
Knights makes sense as a straightforward desktop choice for KDE users who want a conventional chess application. The current evidence does not confirm a particular engine, online-service, or configuration workflow, so those capabilities should not be assumed from the application’s category alone.
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6. ChessX
ChessX combines chess-database work with online-server support: the LinuxLinks description identifies it as a chess database and FICS client. Stockfish’s official GUI documentation also lists ChessX among free GUIs capable of hosting the Stockfish engine.
ChessX is therefore a useful middle ground for users who want to manage games, connect to FICS, and add local engine analysis. Choose ChessX over a simple board application when PGN organization and database-style study are part of the same workflow.
7. ChessMD
ChessMD is a lightweight PGN database viewer and analysis tool. Its role is narrower than a complete training client, but that narrowness can be useful for readers who mainly need to inspect chess games without adopting a large suite.
ChessMD is best treated as a focused PGN and analysis utility. The research does not establish current packaging, release cadence, or maintenance quality, so verify those points for your Linux distribution before making ChessMD the center of a long-term study library.
8. XBoard
XBoard is a graphical chess interface for engines, Internet Chess Servers, correspondence chess, PGN files, and many chess variants. The GNU Project’s XBoard page describes XBoard as “a graphical user interface for chess in all its major forms, including international chess, xiangqi (Chinese chess), shogi (Japanese chess) and Makruk.”
XBoard runs on Unix and Unix-like systems using the X Window System. The GNU Project description also covers engine use, Internet chess servers, correspondence chess, and PGN loading and saving. XBoard is especially relevant when online-server connectivity, variant support, or compatibility with traditional chess engines matters more than a beginner-oriented visual design.
XBoard is not merely a chess-playing engine. XBoard is a front end that gives engines and online services a graphical board, which makes it a direct example of why the GUI-versus-engine distinction matters.
Rank #3
- Magnetic Travel Chess Set：All chess pieces are magnetic and felt for non-slip,and the surface of the chess board is also magnetic to hold the pieces securely and prevent them from shifting when playing.It stays firmly attached to the board even on bumpy roads or when the board is upside down.
- High Quality Wood：Made of wood ,walnut coloring design.All chess pieces and chess boards are polished,with a smooth surface,smooth cutting and excellent touch feeling.There are two metal locks with retro design on the outside of the chessboard, which will not be oxidized by sweat and can lock the chessboard firmly.
- Folding Wooden Box Design：The game board measures 15.4 X 7.68 X 2 inches when folded, and 15.4 X 15.35 X 1 inches when unfolded, opens up to give you the ultimate gaming experience,takes up little space when folded, easy to store and portable. Chess sets includes sponge card slots, each piece has its own slot location. This internal storage design avoid the chess from bumping into each other and getting damaged.
- Design of Rounded Corners and Collision Color : The color clash design not only adds a sense of fashion to the chess board for adults, but also retains the beautiful natural grain of the original wood, the color is soft and not dazzling,making it a beautiful classical chessboard with a great artistic flavor.Our chess sets has a round edge,elegant and smooth lines,improving the ability to resist falling.
- Multi-purpose：Our magnetic folding chess board set is suitable for everyone and every occasion! You can use it when traveling, party, outdoor leisure time, chess clubs, game nights, suitable for both young and old, it is the best learning tool for adults and professional beginner, it is also an ideal gift for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and so on.
9. Cute Chess
Cute Chess is a GUI, command-line interface, and library for users who want more than a beginner-first board. The LinuxLinks roundup places Cute Chess among free and open-source chess applications, and Stockfish’s official documentation lists Cute Chess among free GUIs.
Cute Chess is particularly relevant to technically minded users interested in engine games, testing, or automation. The research does not provide testing results or a performance benchmark, so Cute Chess should be chosen for its workflow and interfaces rather than an unsupported claim that it is faster or stronger than another GUI.
10. Nibbler
Nibbler is a chess-analysis GUI for UCI engines, making it one of the most direct choices for Linux users whose main goal is local engine analysis. Stockfish’s official documentation lists Nibbler among free GUIs and provides instructions for selecting a Stockfish executable.
Use Nibbler when you already understand engine analysis and want a focused way to load positions, inspect variations, and configure a UCI engine. Nibbler is not presented in the research as a training suite, online client, or game database, so readers should pair it with another tool when those jobs are important.
11. GNOME Chess
GNOME Chess is a Vala-based chess GUI suited to Linux users on GNOME or another GTK-oriented desktop. The LinuxLinks roundup identifies GNOME Chess as a Vala-based GUI.
GNOME Chess is a reasonable choice when desktop integration and a simple board interface are the priority. The available evidence does not confirm exact engine defaults, online support, or distribution availability, so those details require a current project or package check before installation.
12. JFXChess
JFXChess is a JavaFX chess GUI and belongs in the engine-front-end category. Stockfish’s official documentation lists JFXChess among free GUIs and provides source-code and installation references.
JFXChess may suit users who specifically want a JavaFX-based interface or who are comfortable following source-oriented installation instructions. Java and JavaFX requirements are not asserted here because the research does not check the current requirements for a particular Linux distribution.
13. CoreChess
CoreChess is a chess GUI for engines. CoreChess belongs with analysis and engine-front-end applications rather than with beginner training tools unless the current project interface demonstrates broader teaching features.
Choose CoreChess when the central requirement is an interface for working with chess engines. The dossier does not provide a detailed feature matrix, release status, or packaging guidance, so those points should be verified before selecting CoreChess for a larger workflow.
14. SlugChess
SlugChess is a variant-oriented chess program featuring Fog-of-War and shuffled officers. The LinuxLinks roundup identifies those unusual rules as its defining characteristics.
Rank #4
- Travel Chess & Checkers Set: Juegoal dual functional 2 in 1 Chess Sets meets US Chess Federation and FIDE requirements for Official Tournament use. The board measures 20 inches with 2.25 inch squares, boundaries are designed using numbers and letters algebraic coordinates to describe and record chess moves. Include 32 chess pieces and 24 checker pieces, and 2 extra Queens & 2 extra checkers for easy promotions.
- Folding Chess Board Mat: The professional roll up chess board is made of thick rubber, features clear pattern, could not be more convenient to carry and keep in place. The board can be laid flat on your table, providing a pleasant heavy weight surface, hard to wrinkle and stain, UV and scratch resistant. While we recommend you store it flat or rolled, this floppy chess board mat is very light but very strong, and will easily fold to a compact size for travel.
- Perfect Learning & Entertainment Tool: The chess and checkers board are available to everyone, either for social and family entertainment or as an excellent tool for kids will be a useful start for an intellectually stimulating hobby. This is a classic game, also great for parties or some friends who like brains games.
- Portable & Easy to Storage: Come with a soft green carry storage canvas bag. It has plenty of storage space for chess & checkers pieces as well. Just roll up the mousepad chess board and put it into the bag together with the chess & checker pieces. Convenient to carry and travel with a Bag.
- Funny & Easy Board Game: An easy to understand instruction is attached to provide some extra help to use the game board. Makes your game more appealing and exciting. This portable chess kit is suitable for outdoor / indoor use. Perfect for Christmas gifts, family gathering, picnics, birthdays, parties. Attention- Not suitable for children under the age of 6 years. Small parts! Choking hazard.
SlugChess is a good fit for players looking for novelty and nonstandard play rather than a conventional database-and-engine environment. Compare SlugChess on the variety of its rules and the experience it offers, not on an engine-analysis depth that the available research does not establish.
15. OChess
OChess is chess-game analysis software. The available evidence supports that broad description but does not document a detailed feature list, specific engine protocol, online service, or current package format.
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OChess should therefore be considered when you want a focused analysis application and are prepared to inspect its current project documentation. The conservative description is deliberate: a narrow verified claim is more useful than a feature list that has not been checked.
16. eboard
eboard is a chessboard interface for Internet Chess Servers and chess engines. The LinuxLinks description makes eboard most relevant to readers who want a focused interface for server or engine play rather than a training-heavy suite.
Choose eboard when the board-and-connection role is enough for your workflow. Readers seeking exercises, a substantial game database, or a modern analysis dashboard should compare eboard with Lucas Chess, Scid, ChessX, En Croissant, or Nibbler instead.
17. Atom Chess
Atom Chess is a chess engine application built using Stockfish and Electron. The LinuxLinks roundup provides that characterization, which makes Atom Chess a different proposition from a traditional native desktop chess GUI.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does Stockfish fit into Linux chess software?
Stockfish supplies chess calculation, while a GUI supplies the board and controls needed to use that calculation. The official Stockfish project page describes Stockfish as a “free, open-source, and cross-platform chess engine, trusted by grandmasters and leading chess platforms worldwide.” That sentence is Stockfish’s own project description, not an independent rating or benchmark claim.
Stockfish is available on Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS according to the official project page. On Linux, the practical workflow is to install a compatible GUI, download the Stockfish engine, and select the Stockfish executable from the GUI’s engine settings. The exact menu names differ between applications.
The official release history shown in the research records Stockfish 18 — Stockfish, 2026, announced on January 31, 2026. That is a dated release claim, not a claim that Stockfish 18 remains the newest release after the research snapshot; check the official release page if “latest” matters.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchGNU Chess illustrates the same separation from another angle. The GNU Project’s GNU Chess page describes GNU Chess as a chess-playing program usable from a terminal or, more commonly, as an engine for graphical front ends such as XBoard. The page identifies GNU Chess version 6.3.0.
Best Value
- ♕EXCELLENT QUALITY♛: The Staunton style wooden chess set is made up of walnut and maple with well polished and smooth. The 34 pieces are also carved beautifully and clearly, felt bottoms to prevent chess board scratching. The wood grain and color of the board and pieces that make it a classic and nicely finished feel. So good idea for room decoration also if you want to play there.
- ♕FOLDING CHESS BOARD♛: The magnetic chess board is large enough but quite compact when folded up. The extended size is 17 x 17 x 1 inches, the brass hinges allow the board to be flexibly extended without warping. Folded is 17 x 8½ x 2 inches, the closure snaps are aligned perfectly. The size of the squares is approx 2 inches. Portable chess set at 4 pounds of weight, both you and your children can easily carry it around to play.
- ♕MAGNETIC CHESSMEN♛: These handcrafted pieces are constructed of nice quality wood, not lightweight. Built in strong magnetism, pieces stay in place during play, even if the board is jostled or tilted, making this set ideal for travel or outdoor use. Comes with 2 extra queens for pawn promotion rule.
- ♕EASY TO SET UP AND STORE♛: Annoyed to lose pieces? Our chess board itself is a storage box, its interior foam inserts to securely hold each piece, preventing rattling and loss while carrying.
- ♕Nice Gifting Idea♛: Safe and smooth edge chess sets for kids and adults. Perfect Birthday and Christmas present for tournaments, learner or display in living rooms or sitting rooms. Unique and portable wooden chessboard game, it really helps to keep your mind and thoughts in shape! Ideal for all ages.
How can you choose between the 17 apps?
Start with the task you will perform most often, then choose the application category that matches that task.
| Primary task | Recommended apps | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Learn and practise | Lucas Chess; PyChess | Training facilities, difficulty controls, hints, and a usable board |
| Play casually on the desktop | PyChess; Knights; GNOME Chess | Complete board client and a desktop environment that feels comfortable |
| Manage and study PGN games | Scid; ChessX; ChessMD | Database or viewer workflows for opening, searching, and reviewing games |
| Analyse with Stockfish or another engine | Nibbler; En Croissant; Cute Chess; CoreChess | UCI engine support, variations, configuration, or automation |
| Play online | PyChess; XBoard; ChessX; eboard | Support for the relevant Internet Chess Server or online service |
| Play variants | XBoard; SlugChess; PyChess | Support for the specific variant, because “variants” is not one universal feature |
| Use a focused or lightweight tool | ChessMD; OChess; eboard | A narrow workflow without the overhead of a training or database suite |
What should you check before installing a Linux chess app?
Check the project’s current release and installation instructions for your distribution before choosing an application. Linux package availability, source requirements, desktop-library dependencies, and maintenance status vary between distributions and can change independently of the application’s feature description.
For engine-based applications, confirm the protocol and engine path. UCI support is especially relevant when you plan to use Stockfish, while CECP support matters for applications and engines using the older Chess Engine Communication Protocol. PyChess documents support for both UCI and CECP engines; the other applications should not be assumed to support both without a project-specific check.
For online play, verify the exact service. PyChess documents FICS and ICC support, while XBoard and eboard are described as Internet Chess Server interfaces. “Online chess” is not a single compatibility guarantee: a client may support one server protocol or service and not another.
For databases, identify the file formats you actually use. PyChess documents PGN, EPD, and FEN support. Scid, ChessX, and ChessMD are more directly relevant when storing or reviewing game collections, but the dossier does not establish identical import, search, annotation, or database behavior for all three.
Which app is best for each Linux chess use case?
For most users who want one application, start with PyChess because its documented combination of local play, difficulty levels, engines, files, variants, online services, opening-book support, and Hint Mode covers more everyday jobs than the narrower tools in this list.
For beginners who want structured practice, start with Lucas Chess. For serious PGN study, start with Scid; choose ChessX when a database workflow, FICS access, and Stockfish hosting belong together. For focused local analysis, start with Nibbler or En Croissant. For Internet Chess Servers and broad variant coverage, examine XBoard or eboard. For Fog-of-War and shuffled-officer play, choose SlugChess.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →No single application is the universal winner because the 17 projects do different jobs. A Linux chess setup can reasonably contain a playing client, a database, and an engine GUI, with Stockfish installed separately wherever the chosen GUI supports it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free chess app for Linux?
PyChess is the best general starting point for many Linux desktop users because it supports local engines, eight difficulty levels, online play through FICS and ICC, PGN/EPD/FEN files, variants, an opening book, and Hint Mode. PyChess is a use-case recommendation rather than a benchmark winner.
Can I run Stockfish on Linux without a GUI?
Stockfish is a chess engine, not a complete chessboard application. Install Stockfish into a compatible graphical user interface such as Lucas Chess, En Croissant, ChessX, Cute Chess, Nibbler, or JFXChess.
What is the best Linux chess database for PGN files?
Scid is the most database-focused choice in this list, while ChessX combines chess-database work with FICS access and Stockfish hosting. ChessMD is a narrower PGN viewer and analysis tool.
Which Linux chess app is best for online play or variants?
XBoard is the broadest server-and-variant-oriented option described here: it supports chess engines, Internet Chess Servers, correspondence chess, PGN, and variants including Chess960, xiangqi, shogi, and Makruk. SlugChess is the specialist choice for Fog-of-War and shuffled officers.
The Bottom Line
PyChess is the best general starting point for many Linux users, Lucas Chess is the strongest training-oriented pick, Scid and ChessX lead for game databases, and Nibbler or En Croissant fit engine analysis. Install Stockfish through a compatible GUI rather than treating Stockfish itself as a complete chess app.
Quick Recap
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