V2.2.2 enables you to switch from the device's microphone to bluetooth and back. (Note: the switch happens on the next screen page transition so you might have to make one transition manually but after that it will pick up the new microphone.) In V2.2, the explanation text has been greatly improved for playing against the computer, blindfold and on Lichess.

In V2.2, the explanation text has been greatly improved for playing against the computer, blindfold and on Lichess.

For V2.1, I'm starting to change the way the "explanation" pages appear. For this release, an initial explanation screen has been added. Also, I fixed a bug in the move "take back" code. And to reiterate the features added to Verbal Chess V2.0: 1. Select the "Voices" you want for both the player and opponent moves 2. Change the chess board background colors to the two dark modes found in "Chessvis" 3. The "take back" operation has changed. It is no longer "times out". Clicking the button or saying "command takeback", will remove the pair of last moves - the engine's and your's. 4. Hate having to keep saying "play" before each move? Now, for both "engine" and "Lichess" games, you can optionally either: remove the need to say "play" or a middle ground of having to say the piece name (including the word 'pawn'). Why the middle ground? Don't forget, the speech recognizer is always listening and trying to make sense of what it hears. If you're willing to say: "pawn e 4" then that eliminates the more easily and possibly accidentally overheard "e 4". 5. A new keyword "describe" can be used to get verbal feedback describing where pieces are on the board. (This works against the engines and on lichess. describe rank number -- describe rank 3 describe file letter -- describe file echo describe square letter # -- describe square b 2 describe location color piece -- describe location white bishop 6. I've added the FIDE recommended words for file letters: Anna, Bella, Cesar, David, Eva, Felix, Gustav, Hector

I'm very excited about Verbal Chess V2.0. Here are the new features: 1. Select the "Voices" you want for both the player and opponent moves 2. Change the chess board background colors to the two dark modes found in "Chessvis" 3. The "take back" operation has changed. It is no longer "times out". Clicking the button or saying "command takeback", will remove the pair of last moves - the engine's and your's. 4. Hate having to keep saying "play" before each move? Now, for both "engine" and "Lichess" games, you can optionally either: remove the need to say "play" or a middle ground of having to say the piece name (including the word 'pawn'). Why the middle ground? Don't forget, the speech recognizer is always listening and trying to make sense of what it hears. If you're willing to say: "pawn e 4" then that eliminates the more easily and possibly accidentally overheard "e 4". 5. A new keyword "describe" can be used to get verbal feedback describing where pieces are on the board. (This works against the engines and on lichess. describe rank number -- describe rank 3 describe file letter -- describe file echo describe square letter # -- describe square b 2 describe location color piece -- describe location white bishop 6. I've added the FIDE recommended words for file letters: Anna, Bella, Cesar, David, Eva, Felix, Gustav, Hector 7. Oh, I found a bug in the existing code that interferred with specifying moves with only single letter file names. It's still hard to differentiate letters but obviously, it is better without a bug.

V1.18 adds a piece name filter to the "command speak moves" option on play computer/blindfold. For example, to hear the bishop moves, it would be: "command speak moves bishop". This makes the spoken list more focused. As a reminder, the 'My Account' menu enables you to force the speaking of the words for the letters. As in, 'Bishop Golf Four'.

V1.17 adds 'Reveal' to blindfold play and 'Replay' for computer/blindfold play so you can 'get back into the game' after stepping away. If you find the 'file letters' hard to understand, the 'My Account' menu has an option that enables you to force the speaking of the words for the letters. As in, 'Bishop Golf Four'. The problem with "Connect to Lichess" seems fixed.

V1.16.1 fixes a problem with "Connect to Lichess". Also, the board coordinate location can be set by everyone.

V1.15 adds support for "enhanced voices". For the "Player's Voice", the American female voices: Ava, Allison, Nicky, Samantha, Susan will be checked to see if the "enhanced" versions are available. The first one alphabetically will be used. For the "Opponent's Voice", the British male voices: Daniel and Oliver will be checked to see if the "enhanced" versions are available. The first one alphabetically will be used. (Note: you have to install the voices manually in the "Accessibility" section of the "Settings". (V1.15.1 fixes a "connect to Lichess" issue)

V1.15 adds support for "enhanced voices". For the "Player's Voice", the American female voices: Ava, Allison, Nicky, Samantha, Susan will be checked to see if the "enhanced" versions are available. The first one alphabetically will be used. For the "Opponent's Voice", the British male voices: Daniel and Oliver will be checked to see if the "enhanced" versions are available. The first one alphabetically will be used. (Note: you have to install the voices manually in the "Accessibility" section of the "Settings".

The internals of how play on Lichess.org is managed has been changed. It should be faster and more reliable. Note: IOS V15 is now required. (V1.14.2 fixes a problem with 5+5 Lichess games.)

The internals of how play on Lichess.org is managed has been changed. It should be faster and more reliable. Note: IOS V15 is now required.

In V1.13, you can get a list of your available moves while playing the computer or on Lichess. Just say "command list moves" or "command speak moves" to see and/or hear the list of moves you can make.

You can now say the "from & to" squares to make moves. For example, in addition to saying "play Nf3" you can say : "play g1 f3". (You can also say the piece name but that's not necessary.) Also fixed the problem: if the opponent wins their last move is verbalized and played.

Sync version number across devices.

Saying 'command repeat' while playing a game will say the engine's move again. (Also applies to Lichess play.) This is the #1 requested new feature!! (Also, for Lichess a change was needed to get your 'Friends List'. Please 'Disconnect' and 'Connect' to get that working.)

V1.8 enables users to "continue" an open game against the engines. With this update, you don't have to play the entire game in one sitting.

V1.6.1 routes sound through the big speaker instead of the small "ear speaker". Also, wireless bluetooth headphones are supported.

V1.6.0 adds control over "board coordinates" as a subscriber benefit. You can set an option so the file & rank coordinate labels appear just outside the board area or remove them. For everyone, the "inside" coordinates are placed better. (This option is in the "my account" menu.) Also, moves that you say and are invalid are now displayed and spoken so you know what the parser is hearing.