Battle vs. Chess

{{Infobox video game

| title = Battle vs. Chess

| image = Battle vs Chess.jpg

| developer = Targem Games

| publisher = TopWare Interactive
SouthPeak Games^(US)

| released = {{vgrelease|EU|May 17, 2011|NA|August 16, 2012 {{small|(computers)}}}}

| engine = Dagor Engine 3.0

| genre = Board game

| modes = Single-player, two player

| platforms = Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii

}}

Battle vs. Chess ({{langx|ru|Battle vs Chess: Королевские битвы}}) is a computer simulation game of chess developed by Targem Games and published by TopWare Interactive. It is intended to target all major seventh-generation platforms as well as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, the console and computer versions were released in Europe on May 17, 2011, while the handheld versions were cancelled.{{cite web |title=Battle vs. Chess (Nintendo DS) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-vs-chess/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |website=Metacritic |access-date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=Battle vs. Chess (PlayStation Portable) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-vs-chess/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |website=Metacritic |access-date=30 June 2021}}

Lawsuit with Interplay

The game was not initially released in the United States due to a lawsuit by Interplay Entertainment for trademark infringement due to its similarity to their title Battle Chess.{{Cite web|title=Battle Vs. Chess Killed Off by Trademark Lawsuit – Brian.Carnell.Com|url=https://brian.carnell.com/articles/2011/battle-vs-chess-killed-off-by-trademark-lawsuit/|access-date=2020-10-28|website=brian.carnell.com}} The case went to trial by jury in the summer of 2012.{{cite web |url=http://news.bigdownload.com/2010/12/25/interplay-wins-injunction-against-topwares-battle-vs-chess-game/ |title=Interplay wins injunction against Topware's Battle vs Chess game |last=Callaham |first=John |date=2010-12-05 |publisher=BigDownload |accessdate=2012-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307172757/http://news.bigdownload.com/2010/12/25/interplay-wins-injunction-against-topwares-battle-vs-chess-game/ |archive-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20101102_0004919.CCA.htm/qx |title=Interplay Entertainment Corp. v. Topware Interactive |date=2010-11-02 |publisher=FindACase |accessdate=2012-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182352/http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20101102_0004919.CCA.htm/qx |archive-date=2014-07-14 |url-status=live}} That year, the United States District Court for the Central District of California granted a default judgment in Interplay's favor after TopWare fired its attorney and was unable to locate new counsel.{{cite web |author=Theo Valich |url=http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2012/2/13/interplay-wins-over-topware-in-battle-vs-chess-affair.aspx |title=Interplay Wins over TopWare in "Battle vs. Chess" Affair - VR World |website=Brightsideofnews.com |date=2012-02-13 |accessdate=2016-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403135718/http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2012/2/13/interplay-wins-over-topware-in-battle-vs-chess-affair.aspx |archive-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=live}} On November 15, the parties settled with TopWare agreeing to pay Interplay approximately $200,000, plus interest.{{cite web |author=Matt Pooled |url=http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2013/2/11/interplay-wins-in-the-battle-chess-saga-against-topware-and-southpeak.aspx |title=Interplay Wins in the Battle Chess Saga against Topware and SouthPeak - VR World |website=Brightsideofnews.com |date=2013-02-11 |accessdate=2016-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403184219/http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2013/2/11/interplay-wins-in-the-battle-chess-saga-against-topware-and-southpeak.aspx |archive-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=live}} After the lawsuit, the game was released in North America as Check vs. Mate to avoid the Interplay trademark on planned remake of Battle Chess, through digital distribution networks including Steam.{{Cite web|title=Check vs Mate on Steam|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/211070/Check_vs_Mate/|access-date=2020-10-28|website=store.steampowered.com|language=en}}

Gameplay

Players move with the animated fantasy figurines in one of the six available environments. The white pieces are from heaven and the black pieces are from hell. The game has tutorial, multiplayer (on one device, over LAN or Internet), two campaign modes with 30 missions, the Battleground mode and various mini-games. Battle vs. Chess uses chess engine Fritz 10 to make its moves.{{Cite web|title=Battle vs Chess|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-vs-chess/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|access-date=2020-10-28|website=Metacritic|language=en}} The disadvantage is, that it has no setting of time limit, so at higher level than 6, the computer thinking tends to be long; at level 7 it can take about 15 minutes to think, and at level 9 (ELO 3750) it can take few hours.

Reception

GamingBoulevard.com rated the game 80%,{{cite news |title=Review: Battle VS Chess |url=https://gamingboulevard.com/2013/12/review-battle-vs-chess/ |work=GamingBoulevard |date=2 December 2013}} Eurogamer.de 90%,{{cite news |title=Battle Vs. Chess |url=https://www.eurogamer.de/battle-vs-chess-test |work=Eurogamer |date=3 June 2011}} Gameover.gr 90%,{{cite news |title=Battle Vs. Chess |url=https://www.gameover.gr/2011/05/31/battle-vs-chess/ |work=GameOver |date=31 May 2011}} and on Metacritic.com it has rating 69%.{{cite news |title=Check vs Mate |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-vs-chess/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |work=Metacritic |language=en}}