Tablet for Chess Study

Hi everyone,

I have been wanting to improve my chess skill and become a more advanced player, and I was thinking of the possibility of getting a tablet and getting apps to do analysis, play chess, review Master Games, practice openings, and even read pdf chess books. I really like the portability and versatility of a tablet which is why I have been considering it. I was wondering if anyone else has done this and what people think of the idea! If you think this is a good idea or if you have a better idea let me know!

Thanks for your time and I hope to hear some interesting debates!

They don't do anything magical that your current computer doesn't do.

They snuggle in bed better.

A couple of apps are only on the iPad -- Gambit Publication's "App Books" and Chessimo, probably most importantly.

If you can afford a tablet, then it can be convenient. There are plenty of times I can't use my computer and so a tablet works fine. But as notmtwain says, a computer does the same things - just not as portable at times. Despite the convenience of a tablet I wouldn't want to give up the computer.

I do find the touch interface makes it faster for doing some things. And there are some great chess ebook apps now that have a board with the positions updated as you go through the moves. Except for the (usually expensive) chessbase courses, I've not seen ebooks presented this way for computer.

- to add to kponds, tactics trainer (free) and forward chess (ebooks) and eplus books (ebooks). Chessimo is excellent.

All of those apps are also available on android though, so they're not a deciding factor in which tablet to buy.  

I'm an Android user, and I really wish I had Chessimo and Gambit app books.

And on the other hand, android apparently has a PDF reader with a chessboard so you can follow moves while reading. I wish there was something like that for iPad.

So far I have been looking at an iPad mini. The portability would be extremely convenient for me. I have also heard of lots of great apps, including "Chess Pro - With Coach", which is only available on apple products, and some others such as Tactics Trainer and some ebook readers. My main reasoning for considering a tablet is because it would be easier to carrying it around instead of bringing a laptop, a chess book, and a chess board. I'm just hoping for some good opinions before I make a desicion!

I love the iPad and most things digital but for me the best way to study chess is to use Chessbase/Fritz to help with some analysis and research but study with an open book and a chess board. That way I can keep notes in the book, highlight, underline, cross-reference to my heart's content. I find it difficult to do that with ebooks, never mind trying to reference two or three at the same time or stopping to charge when the battery runs low. I would sink the extra money into Fritz, upgrade the chess engine using one of the free versions of Houdini or Stockfish and use my existing computer. A lot of classic books have still not been translated into algebraic notation so it is nice to be able to find the game in the computer, print out the scoresheet and then read the commentary with the current notation. Then buy a nice set and board that you want to spend a lot of time working with -- because you will have it out a lot!

OP - iPad will do everything you want, just remember that raw computing power is not its strength, so you won't be able to do deep analysis of positions or games.

You also can't do complex searches of large databases, unless you use chessbase online - which is buggy and has not as many features as the desktop version.

But for tactics training, ebooks, portable chess - perfect imho. I just did a quick count, I've got 26 chess apps and 15 ebooks. Works for me.

Like GeorgeNC, I like to use PC and a board for deep study of games. I use the chessbase trainers quite often too, I like the video/game board setup and the quick access to similar games and positions.

If you want portability then iPad is fine - but portability comes with compromises.

I guess you cannot get the best of everything! Every different method has perks and drawbacks

I use a Nexus 10, and I am pretty satisfied. It hold a large library of books, a couple of analysis engines, and a decent database. Great for on the road or post match analysis. That said, if I want in depth analysis, I fire up Fritz on the home PC.

For what it is worth, computers are great but they are only as good as the data put in them. I have been studying QGD using Chernev and Chessbase/Fritz (the latest and greatest) to add to the information in the book. So far I have found two games that were incomplete in the database but complete in the book.

That said, 500 Master Games of Chess is a great reference but it is in the old notation so I love have Chessbase here to print it out in algebraic. So using only one method or only another is limiting and opens up the possibility of error. Multiple sources are always best

Thanks for all your input everybody! This is a hard desicion but I think I will get a tablet due to all of the available apps and e-reader capabilities. I just need to decide what type of tablet now, which is a bit difficult to decide! Any input would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has any apps that they would like to mention there is another forum for apps here: http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/chess-apps3 

I will jump in regarding the iPad Mini. I have both a Mini and iPad 4 and the mini is by far the tablet I use the most. It is just so light, and the ideal size for almost everything I do with it. The new Air is getting closer, but unless I am using it to touch-type directly on the ipad in which case the larger one fits my hands better, the mini is the way to go.

I know this is an old thread, but recently, many professionals are in favor with Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 as the best Android gaming tablet you can get.

The AMOLED screen of the Tab S4 packs even more pixels and includes support for HDR, which is a feature that is absent in most of its competitors. Quad stereo speakers will help get you into the action and can output Dolby Atmos surround sound for an audio experience that belies the tablet's small size.

In addition, this Android tablet has so many best cases to look for in case you want to make it stylish.

So you bumped an old thread to extol the benefits of buying an overpriced gaming system for someone who is going to use it to play and study chess?