Is this program still available in the app store? I did a searchn for it but it found another program instead

Agreed with Ziryab.  FIDE and USCF rules allow players to record times and draw offers.

The reason for #3 below is that a computer must not be consulted during a game, not even to point out illegal moves.   For example, if beginners are playing each other and one of them makes an illegal move, it is up to the opponent to notice the illegal move.  

If your program won't allow you to enter the move, because it is illegal, then it is acting as an aide or advisor to its user, allowing him to make a claim that he otherwise might not have noticed.   Monroi complies with this.

These recent posts are helpful to the discussion.  At first I was surprised by requirement #3 in Moab's post, but I think I understand the rationale.  I assume the MonRoi complies with requirement #3.

I used the app to record one game at a tournament in the fall with intentions to offer some feedback. I became busy and neglected the feedback, but most is covered in the recent comment by Moab 2021.

I would add that it was difficult not having access to a game score. I had no idea during the game how many moves had been played.

I also record times and draw offers (the latter per the rules) on paper scoresheets. It would be nice if there was a way to do this through a device.

As a long time USCF TD and an amateur futurist, this is the way all tournament recordings will go, if left to the free market, but not if strangled by political favors.  

I got the free app yChess for my Android, and would be happy to shell out five or ten bucks for a superior interface that links seamlessly with my Chessbase .pgn personal library of games.   As a TD, I would be happy to allow such cell-phone or iPad recording devices in the tournament, given that they meet some important criteria and are not specifically prohibited by USCF or FIDE.  

Important design considerations:

1) All other applications and functions of the phone must be shut off by the program, and especially any wifi or mobile phone capacities to connect with other devices.

2) No sounds, lights, or other signals must come from the device while it is used in a chess tournament.

3) The program must simply record moves that the user puts into it.   It must not correct illegal moves, announce checks, checkmate, en-passant, etc.

4) The recording device must be left on the table at all times during the play of the tournament game, and must be clearly visible to the TD and the opponent.  

5)  If the opponent asks to see a list of moves, as allowed by the rules of play, the screen should quickly toggle to a conventional scoresheet using algebraic notation.

If your app meets all of these requirements, it would be welcomed in tournaments I run, unless specifically prohibited by USCF or FIDE regulations.

Congrats on getting the 'Staff Pick' vote! What are you planning for the updates?

Also, I am working on some updates.

Thanks again for everyone's support. I just wanted to provide a quick update. The response has been very positive. The app's current average review is 4.5 out of 5. And this week Apple picked it as their Staff Pick, and featured it in iTunes. That's not bad for a something I bootstraped part time. 

Thansk for the support. I have added the "tocuh-touch" input and alternative chess sets to the list of updates, if I can get enough people to buy. The USCF just expilicdly banned phones from tourament play, no doubt in response to me contacting them to ask what they would want to see to get the app certified 

OK, at $0.99 curiosity got the best of me and I bought it.  The interface seems pretty tight.  I don't find the pieces visually attractive but they are workable.  Even though the board display seems to be small, the drag and drop worked pretty well.  An alternative implementation would have been to allow touching the "from" square followed by touching the "to" square, which is what some other chess programs use. 

Earlier posts mentioned requiring Airplane mode for USCF tournament use.  I think that would be a good feature to add if you decide to update the app.  I think this would give some TDs comfort in allowing the app to be used in tournaments, even if the USCF hasn't approved it.

Best of luck in your endeavor, particularly in getting the app on the USCF list of approved electronic notation devices.

SE

I appriciate that settiment. I have a lot of ideas on how to make the app better, and conform to the intent of the rules (like requiring airpane mode to enter tournament mode), but the fact is the USCF and FIDE have more in mind than fairness. Monroi is a sponsor and they obviously have a close relationship. The fact is, I have spent a few thosand making the app and have taken in about $200. I want to see if dropping the price for a few days does anything. Unfortunatly, right now it doesn't make sense to put more into development, which is a shame, because I have a lot of ideas I want to try out.

I disagree with dropping the price.  I personally have used the app in multiple states and as many tournaments and watched people download the app in realtime after hearing my explanation.

I personally think it sucks that the USCF has taken this position.  However, I also believe that there might be a workaround.  I say keep doing what your doing and don't cut your legs off.

You are the only real alternative to the $350 monroi monster. 

I just dropped the price to $0.99 for a limited time. If price was the issue, it can't be right now 

Ok. I used the app today in an over the board tournament.  Let me be the first to say, I was able to quickly record my games. For the first time I was able to record the entire game for 3 out of 4 rounds.  The last game was not complete because I got in severe time pressure (less than 2 minutes). 

The fact that I was able to record up to about 2 minutes of time remaining on my clock should tell you that the app was simple to use.  I spent more time setting up the game information than I did making moves.  I did not use the tab mode or whatever it was called.

There were a couple times during a couple different games when I had to undo a move. Which worked as expected. I did get prompted to edit a previous move but beyond that it was ok.

It would be nice if it kept the tournament name information in for you to speed up entry.

I explained to everyone that I was testing the app and kept the app visible on the table at all times.  Before the round I did start my music playing but never left the app once the game started.  After each round I emailed my opponent a copy of the game. Which I think is a kind gesture.

The opportunity for someone to do some cheating does exist with these kinda apps.  I could have easily flipped over to shredder or something...

I think with some more tweaking the app will be a must have for the iOS user.

I vote "yes."

@ shootfilm: Let us know how it goes. Will you tell your opponents about the "help" the device gives?

I am running the app on my iPad. I will use it officially in a tournament on Sunday. I agree. Your not supposed to get "check" help or any other official chess logic beyond recording the chess moves. I advocate an alternative to monroi and I am a tournament director/organizer. I recommend this app even with some of it's current limitations.

I actually haven't dealt with that issue. I am thinking of putting in a tournament mode that will only stay active if you disable wi-fi and 3G... airplane mode and no-wife... etc. The mode won't start without checking for that stuff. And the second you leave the app, without entering a result, the game can't be saved. I think that's the way I can handle that. But right now it's academic until the official bodies get over the idea of a smart phone in a tournament game. I'll keep working on the app until then

How did you get around the fact that the OS won't keep phone calls from taking priority? I looked at creating a similar app a while ago and a developer friend of mine said this is a basic issue with Apple and Android for that matter. And also one that would keep it from making the jump to the tournament level of course and I abandoned it as I thought paying a developer to create an app that I could only use at the club was a bit extravagant.

I use the Stockfish program (with analysis turned off) to notate casual games. This is not acceptable for rated games, however. I like the feature that allows me to email the PGN. I also use Stockfish at tournaments to do post-mortem analysis. Again, I email the PGN to myself and I don't have to re-key the moves when I get home.