PhpChess is chess server software program which allows webmasters to offer chess via their own website. Its name (phpChess) was derived from the programming language it was written in (PHP). Unlike chess servers or game sites, phpChess is designed to be installed in a similar principle to phpbb and allows clubs, websites, universities schools and other organisations to set up their own chess server. phpChess supports different modes of play and adheres to the chess rules set down by FIDE.
phpChess is used by clubs, online sites, schools, Universities and other communities to enable either open or closed community chess playing via the phpChess server.
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phpChess was first written by Christian Blumhoff in 1999 under the name of r3dchess using the Revolution3D graphics engine.[1] It was extended by chess4me to a server based chess program extension before finally incorporated under phpChess Limited in 2005. phpChess is based in the United Kingdom. phpChess is currently the only fully developed chess server for download and has over 2000 installations worldwide, most of which are community edition installations (free to use).
phpChess come previously in three distinct releases, but is now free (donation ware) according to phpchess.com.
phpChess brings the following capabilities to its customers: Realtime chess gameplay, correspondence chess games, Game chat, Life chatroom, messaging framework, move validation (professional version only), Gadget support for Microsoft Vista, Yahoo Widget support, Java mobile phone client support, PC Software support, web messaging (XML based), Tournament management and others. phpChess can be skinned or themed (see Theme (computing)).
It is noteworthy that phpChess operates at html level and is browser neutral.