Board Game Arena

Why is there not an option to test out moves on a separate board to see what it will look like once you move there? Can we have that?

There's no shortage of other sites with usable boards that would let you do that. Just open their page.

But it goes against the spirit of Chess and "touch move". You're supposed to test the moves in your mind.

Strode wrote: ↑21 February 2026, 20:45 There's no shortage of other sites with usable boards that would let you do that. Just open their page.

Agree with this.

Strode wrote: ↑21 February 2026, 20:45 But it goes against the spirit of Chess and "touch move". You're supposed to test the moves in your mind.

This only applies to what BGA calls "real-time." "Touch move" obviously doesn't apply to correspondence chess, which is effectively what turn-based games are. So to reconcile the two BGA would have to enable an analysis board for turn-based games, but disable it for real-time. All this for what? For games that aren't even rated because cheating is so easy?

I agree with Meeplelowda, this option is useful in corresponence (= turn-based) games. In former times correspondence players had at least one real chess board (with wooden pieces!) and kept the current position(s) on it - this is still possible and I recommend it, as it´s not a matter of money.
Additionally a piece of paper beside the board with some notes if you have found a decent sequence of the following planned moves or options. This takes more time than testing the moves on a virtual board, but be assured that you will be rewarded by a huge improvement for your chess-play.

Ok thanks a lot!! Much appreciated!