Best Chess Software Programs for PC Windows
We are evaluating PC Windows chess applications to rate the best chess software programs for the PC. Here are our ratings.#1 HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro
Overall: 4.75/5 stars (full breakdown to come)
HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro for PC was released in early 2022 after 10 years development by the developers of HIARCS Chess Explorer. The Pro version is aimed at the full range of chess players from beginner to Grandmasters and chess professionals. HCE Pro is already comfortably the most powerful chess program for PC Windows and the choice for all aspiring chess players who want the most powerful chess tools to study and improve their chess.
Many ChessBase customers are now switching to HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro and we recommend HCE Pro to all PC Windows users who want the best chess software program on their Windows computer.
#2 HIARCS Chess Explorer
Overall: 3.75/5 stars (full breakdown to come)
The classic HIARCS Chess Explorer for PC contains most of the features a beginner or club player would want to be able to manage databases, learning openings and play chess against a variety of chess opponents as the Elo strength can be set and the cool feature of matching your strength is available in HIARCS Chess Explorer.
We plan to add detal and other chess software applications to our list on this page. Below you will find a very detailed table of product comparisons to help you make your choice.
| Features | HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro | HIARCS Chess Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | from $79.95 | from $54.95 |
| PC Windows | ✓ Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 | ✓ Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 |
| Displays | Up to 4k | Up to 4k |
| 64 Bit Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| 64 Bit Optimised | ✓ | ✗ |
| Engine | ||
| Engines Included | HIARCS 15, 15.1, 15.2 | HIARCS 14 |
| Single Core Rating | 1 core, 4GB, 3300 Elo | 1 core, 2GB, 3050 Elo |
| Deep Edition | up to 16 cores, 16GB, 3400+ Elo | ✗ |
| Premium Edition | up to 32 cores, 32GB, 3450+ Elo | ✗ |
| Supports add-on UCI Engines | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine matches | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ |
| Endgame tablebase support | Nalimov and Syzygy | Nalimov only |
| Gameplay | ||
| Play against computer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rates your play in Elo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Play Elo rated opponents | 750-3300 | 750-3050 |
| In-game coaching | ✓ | ✓ |
| Play using Millennium boards | ✓ from v1.2 | ✓ |
| Databases | ||
| Database games included | 575k+ games | 35k games |
| Max database size | 30 million games | 2 million games |
| Annotated | 1400 games | 800 games |
| Tactical test databases | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ |
| PGN Database Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chessbase CBH, CBV Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| HCE Advanced Databases | ✓ | ✗ |
| Books | ||
| Online Book Access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extra Book Downloads | Add-On Option | Add-On Option |
| Online Endgame Navigation | ✓ (Deep/Premium) | ✗ |
| CTG Book Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data Views | ||
| Game Explorer | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ |
| Player Explorer | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ |
| Opening Explorer | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ |
| Analysis Explorer | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ |
| Tree Explorer | ✓ | ✗ |
| Evaluation Explorer | ✓ | ✗ |
| Database Statistics | ✓ | ✗ |
| Database Search | ||
| Filtering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quick Search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Header Search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Position Search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Material Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pawn Structure Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Opening Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Advanced Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Game Analysis | ||
| Game Analysis | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ |
| Batch Game Analysis | ✓ | ✗ |
| Comments and Variation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complex Nested Variations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Advanced Features | ||
| Reference Databases | ✓ | ✗ |
| WorkBase autosave | ✓ | ✗ |
| Find Duplicates | ✓ | ✗ |
| Compare Duplicates | ✓ | ✗ |
| Compact Database | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tournament Tables | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pop Up Variation Boards | ✓ | ✗ |
| Advanced Graphics | ✓ | ✗ |
| Layout Management | ✓ | ✗ |