Lucas Chess: An easy way to play and train chess on your PC

I've found this program a few months ago when I was looking for non-web free chess software for windows. There are surprisingly few options, mostly outdated and with unpleasant interface. Lucas chess is an exception. Interface looks nice, although it takes some time to get used to it, and there are many interesting options to analyse your games, play with many different engines an study (various problems, endings, openings). The source is open (python!) and there are quite frequent updates. I am a happy user and I recommend it to all chess enthusiasts, it's worth to try it.

It might have been better to link to the project’s website rather the GitHub repo : https://lucaschess.pythonanywhere.com/

I’ve known Lucas Chess for a long time but the UI is still confusing to me. Many functions seem similar/duplicate and AFAK the interface doesn’t provide any instant help. Sure, there is a online help but reading through pages long instruction to use a program is honestly too much to ask from today users. IMO, it’s much better to provide an instant help through hint and status line, which is a common practice in desktop apps. Perhaps it’d be better if the author restructure the app into 3 main areas: - tactics exercises and play for young players, beginners - play and exploring the plethora of chess engines included in the bundle, and - improve skills through: tactical exercises, learning opening, end games and building a personal chess database

Such structure will make the menu much clearer for (new) users and therefore I believe it’ll significantly improve its impact.

Lucas chess? Is it anything like Dejarik?[1]

[1] https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Br8b63TE6jXv6mUb7m7gJn-192...

Leaving a comment here for someone more experienced to respond. How do chess engines like this which learn how you play over time better/worse than traditional coach