The Ipad app version of chess.com allows different positions to be setup when playing the computer, but I have never been able to figure out how to do this on the website. Not sure it can be done. An alternative would be to download scid and play against the engines provided.
Playing computer with custom setup?
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When you say "the board" and "the computer," it's not cleat what "board" and "computer" you are referring to.
Yes, most all chess GUIs have a setup mode that allows the user to setup any board position. And then yes, you can then play either side of that position against any chess engine of your choice. There are literaly hundreds of different chess engines you can dowload and play against.
Using WinBoard, for example, choose EDIT and then EDIT POSITION. Right-click to put the pieces where you want them.
Is there a way to setup the board however i want and then play it against the computer?