Yafi - Internet Chess
Yafi is a chess application (called interface or client) which uses Free Internet Chess Server (aka FICS, freechess.org) as a connection point for thousands of chess players all over the world.
If you just want to play a quick game while going to school or work, or you want to meet new people online with the same passion to chess
- this application is for you.
It allows you to seek games and accept games sought by other users, match them or accept their challenges, observe and examine games, chat with other users, see a list of server news items and offline messages sent to you and (obviously) play chess and many chess variants like: suicide, atomic, losers, fisher random (chess 960), upside down...
Timeseal and premove, the most important things for fast (lightning and blitz) games, are implemented.Yafi allows you to chat with other players by using Unicode characters. Keep in mind this is not directly supported by server and not all players will see non-latin characters correctly.
You may login as a guest to play unrated games if you don't provide any credentials.Application is supported by ads.Version of Yafi which doesn't contain ads is now available.You may buy it to support development.
Yafi is in early development stages, so expect frequent updates.
This application doesn't have any built-in chess engine, so you can only play online against other human beings, but also against computer players, which also connect to FICS.It works very well on both phones and tablets.Thanks to everybody who reports problems with the application or gives any kind of feedback and especially to Sam D., GS and LeO.
Recent changes:--
- 0.6.27 ---
- menu option on login screen to send feedback or bug report e-mail to developer, please use this when sending crash reports for a quicker fix
- fixed interaction with puzzlebot and endgamebot via console (Robert)
- examine button after game end (LeO)
- not showing rematch when opponent forfeits by disconnection
- fixed switching to newly created game when already on board screen
- sorting games on board screen: newest first--
- 0.6.26 ---
- fixed crash when having 'Help improve Yafi' on and license was cashed in Yafi+ (Robert)
- client-side board flip menu option
- board close button disabled during the game (LeO)
- fixed refresh command when observing more than one game
- fixed not showing messages and news when message box is full
- observing crazyhouse/bughouse games (no play/examine support yet)--
- 0.6.25 ---
- new icon (Y with knight)
- rematch dialog after game end
- possibility to close the boards (automatically stops observing and examining)
- this is not fully tested, so please report any crash
- fixed game not showing for adjourned games
- fixed game not showing when using "follow "
- fixed list of players not showing when 1 player is in channel
- disabled buggy check which caused observed games not to refresh sometimes (to be fixed later)--
- 0.6.24 ---
- added game type, opponent and time filters on sought screen (default filter is to show only chess)
- added messages and news screen
- added support for clicking links in conversations, informations screen, messages and news
- added banner to FICS on login screen
- screens are visible on phone landscape orientation when there is keyboard
- board is disabled before first game is played, observed or examined
- other things I don't remember
- probably added some bugs
Category : Puzzle
Reviews (29)
Simple, user friendly design which functions well. Online play offers a substantial variety of different skill levels, especially on weekends. Practical, bug free and without any significant issues. Pure, enjoyable chess with mostly sportsmanlike players as it was meant to be! I've enjoyed this app for many years and it still ranks as my favorite free online chess app.
Works. But you need to interact with the console to offer a draw, resign, or undo. And I can't figure out how to analyze (examine) a game. I type the command in the console and no board pops up and my board screen doesn't change (and I can't navigate moves on it).
"Examine" after game doesn't work. This is such a great app! I'm so glad it exists. The board color choices are great.
Nice app with great players. You just have to improve your promotion so I can get more opponents.
Best chess app I've seen so far but still needs a few tweaks.
Great app to play chess. •Save the match system should add.
Great app. Incredible for FICS... easy to use... aesthetically beautiful. Best FICS app
Superb! Intuitive and easy to use.
Very nice app. Have been using this for years
best android chess client for FICS users
I like this Chess app
The interface is confusing and hard to use. There is no way I can find to even see my rating or record. There are glitches where the game wont end when opponent runs out of time. Hard to use, I cany find descriptions or rules of the different variants, and no instructions on how to use the confusing menu system. I am unable to figure out how to review games. The only redeaming factor is that you can control the time. A faq page, or instructions on how to use the features would help a lot. Not easy to use.
This app is very nice. It offers nice features like observe high rated games which is very convenient when you are waiting somewhere but don't have time to play. A draw button or chat interface would be nice. When your opponent msg you, you have to get out of the board and get into the console which makes it awckward for blitz games.
Very good app for FICS, really fast in getting games, no disconnections, just login and start playing. Abort and resign buttons are at the top left of the console unfortunately, they should have been placed on the board screen. I am quite satisfied with it.
There is no way to chat while playing with an opponent; through my smartphone App. You need to abandon the board totally; in order to send a message to the other player.
But there is some rough edges still. Ex: you have to resign a game from console. Everything I need to play FICS is there and it keeps a stable connection. I'm very satiesfied and have deleted all my other chess-apps.
Love this interface! Reducing to four stars. On a Samsung Galaxy S 21 the interface will randomly exit and take you back to login screen.
I wish that their was an option for crazyhouse or bughouse that would definitely be worth 5 stars if it comes to pass...
After upgrading to android 6 yafi controls are missing. To draw, abort resign and everything I have to go to the console and type.
I can not find a Draw or Resign button. I like this app. Keep working on this app
I can neither offer or accept draw or resign... In fact I couldn't even find that buttons... Otherwise good app... Also sometimes I forfeit for less of time but the opponent has extra time.. So annoying!!
Reduce eye strain bord color ( more theme needed) Please simplyfy app Allow rich graphics .because this is 2017 Your app look like 2010-2011 android apps After you will get 5 star
I use it exclusively on FICS and it works exactly as intended. I have been using it for a few years and have never experienced any glitches.
Its loss after disconnection. App should give a chance to reconnect.
But I wanted an app to play bughouse Chess but it can do everything other than that. 😐
I've used other apps for fics but this app is by far more complete and user friendly. The chat system is awesome and all the functionality is there for handing any FICS task. great job!
Very good for what I expect from quick phone play. For anything fancier, I use from computer.
Great app. Always have challenges. Competitive
Unintrusive, no ads, very easy on storage and system memory. A no frills enjoyable app that causes no eye strain. Plus, many loyal users who play in a nice, sportsmanlike manner. The app is simple and straightforward although the controls may be awkward at first for some until you become familiar with their use. Overall, an OUTSTANDING VALUE for a free app!