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Psi Chess features the sort of 3-D Chess graphics that previously have only been seen by Sinclair owners on QL Chess from Psion. Not content with depicting the usual Staunton pieces, programmer Steven Watson has also cinluded a set of 3D Lewis chess pieces. These are medieval pieces depicting the King, Queen and other pieces as real figures. When seen on the Spectrum, they look like refugees from an adventure game and add an extra element of novelty to the program.

Both 3-D sets are well defined with little confusion between pieces, even in crowded areas of the board. Psi Chess benefits from a full screen board display with only the time clocks and the present mode display as added detail.

Psi Chess is undeniably the most attractive looking chess program available for the Spectrum but... can it play? The answer is yes and, although there are more powerful chess programs around, it wll certainly provide a stern test for even accomplished players.

The Operating System takes a little getting used to as it's based around three pivotal modes "Scoresheet, Position and Game". It can be a bit fiddly finding your way around and some basic commands take time to set up. For instance, there is no instant restart to the game - if you want revenge, you must press I for change mode, P and 1 together and the board resets. But to restart you must press I once more and then M and 1. If you are using a joystick, this must also be selected again before a new game.

Joystick control can be a bit sensitive too. Unless you hit the piece that you want to move dead centre, it can fail to "pick up" and you have to try again.

Psi Chess has a wide selection of levels and the lowest of these (also the quickest) is instant response. This is so fast that it can take you several seconds scanning the board. I did manage to take a game off Psi Chess on Level 2 (with no take backs, honest!) but such is the seemingly omnipotent nature of computer games that I didn't quite believe it. A very smooth replay facility allowed me to wallow in the glory of victory by reshowing the game from start to finish.

This is a very accomplished package that comes complete with an informative 15-page manual. The emphasis on the graphic side can be seen from The Edge's intention to produce alternative 3D chess sets that will be sold separately from Psi-Chess but can be incorporated by replacing the Lewis figures in the program's memory.

As exasperating as any good chess program should be, Psi Chess also allows you to savour the view as you slide towards ignominious defeat. A must for any Spectrum chess fanatic.

A Monster Hit.