AdamApr 24, 2023
Deep Green

🚀 Deep Green has re-launched! ✨

Seven short years after the previous update, version 2 marks a new era of Deep Green. This is a full rewrite on a modern architecture that can be built upon with even more exciting features in the months and years ahead.

Deep Green is now free. Still with no ads, no tracking, no analytics.

I hope you like it. Enjoy, #chess: https://deepgreen.app

Apr 24, 2023 at 3:36pmWeb
Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023

Some of the highlights in version 2 are:

- Refreshed UI and graphics updated to latest iOS look and feel
- Third generation Deep Green chess piece design in both 2D and 3D
- High-resolution 3D game rendering based on SceneKit
- Fluid animations and subtle touches during gameplay
- System sharing, copy/paste, import/export of games in PGN format

Show threadMatt BonneyApr 24, 2023
@deepgreen Immediately duped by this not button!
Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023
@bonney Yes, I wanted you to hunt for it in the navigation bar ;-)
Show threadAldereteApr 28, 2023
@bonney @deepgreen Likewise!
Show threadDeep GreenApr 28, 2023
@Alderete @bonney My “inspiration” was Apple’s screens, like this one in Freeform. I just want to make sure people are aware of the + button. Maybe I’ll simply remove the green, making it look disabled…
Show threadAldereteApr 28, 2023
@deepgreen @bonney It’s the plus icon that fooled me. If you changed it to a chess piece, or a board, it would do the trick. Changing the color of the plus, probably not.
Show threadDean WreckerApr 24, 2023

@deepgreen Congrats on the release! Was so happy to see this update pop up on my app list!

Unfortunately when I started it up the last game I played (pre update) was there and I was still losing.

It could be user error but probably a bug, right?!

Show threadAvielApr 24, 2023
@deepgreen congrats on the relaunch!!
I have to admit I LOVED the old icon and theme of the app, and I can’t say this about the new version 🫣 is there any plan to provide an option for the old icon and the classic-green theme in the app?
Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023
@aviel I don’t have any concrete plans, to be honest. But I definitely do want to improve on the current appearance.
Show threadAvielApr 24, 2023
@deepgreen Thank you! Looking forward to it :)
Show threadOwlSaysMay 20, 2023

@deepgreen First of all, congratulations and thank you for the new release. Been a paid user since your first launch way back and it’s the first app I install on any new iOS device.

Secondly, could we please have the earlier version’s theme and pieces - at least as an option if not as default? Those pieces were one of the primary reasons I love Deep Green to pieces! Thanks in advance!

Show threadDeep GreenMay 21, 2023

Hi @owlsays, thanks for your support.

As you may have heard, I was suddenly under tremendous time pressure to get v2 out. I’m not content with the current look either. It will definitely improve.

And as you may also have noticed, it’s no longer just pixels. Deep Green is now modelled in 3D, even in the 2D perspective. The pieces have been designed over a period of two years. At this point, it’s basically a matter of reworking lighting and material.

That’s an ongoing process. Hang on…

Show threadOwlSaysMay 25, 2023

@deepgreen Thanks a lot. Appreciate your candid response. Look forward to the upcoming changes.

Also, thank you for creating something beautiful for iOS.

Show threadSteve Troughton-SmithApr 24, 2023
@deepgreen @bondo is that some SceneKit I see? Preparing yourself for a new platform, perhaps? 😇
Show threadJoachim BondoApr 24, 2023
@stroughtonsmith @deepgreen No comments.
Show threadMarcus BureliusApr 24, 2023
@deepgreen Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
Show threadJoachim BondoApr 24, 2023
@markb Must be on its way …
Show threadMarcus BureliusApr 24, 2023
@bondo It actually updated through the AppStore update mechanism. Playing now… it looks amazing Joachim. My only question is how are we supposed to support your work?
Show threadJoachim BondoApr 24, 2023
@markb Nice of you to ask, thank you. I should have thought of that. I may add an option later. (And I've planned Pro features going forward.)
Show threadMarcus BureliusApr 24, 2023
@bondo I look forward to clicking the “buy” button soon
Show threadJoachim BondoApr 24, 2023
@markb Will be called “Get” ;-)
Show threadMarcus BureliusApr 24, 2023
@bondo I hope one of the pro features will be sounds, I miss my old Deep Green sounds already, well maybe not the checkmate sound… this new steampunk guy plays some mean chess
Show threadJoachim BondoApr 24, 2023
@markb Sounds will make it back in for the Steampunk engine. The Pro pack will include Stockfish which will have a different sound. Thanks for the feedback!
Show threadMarcus BureliusApr 24, 2023
@bondo Great news, I will be watching for that “Get” button!
Show threadJoachim BondoApr 24, 2023
@markb Ah, maybe I misunderstood. When you said “buy”, I thought you meany on the App Store now, because DG wasn't available for you. But maybe you meant in the app when Pro's available? In that case you're right.
Show threadMarcus BureliusApr 24, 2023
@bondo Yes that’s what I meant… Just make sure you pick a really good checkmate sound for the stockfish sounds because I’m going to be hearing that one a lot! 😂
Show threadMiguel ArrozApr 24, 2023

@deepgreen I took Steampunk's queen, the game seems stuck. Opponent doesn't play, neither can I. (Don't judge, I don't play chess well 😄)

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.04.24"]
[Round "?"]
[White "You"]
[Black "Steampunk"]
[Result "*"]
[WhiteType "human"]
[BlackType "program"]
[Time "10:28:47"]
[BlackEngineConfiguration "Engine: Steampunk, Version: 4.0, Depth: 3, Concentration: 100"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. f3 Nc6 3. d3 d6 4. c4 Bd7 5. g4 Nd4 6. b4 c5 7. bxc5 Qa5+ 8.
Nc3 Qxc3+ 9. Bd2 Qxa1 10. Qxa1 *

Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023
@arroz Yes, you hit a bug where the pawn promotion puts the king in check, will be fixed in next release. Thanks for reporting!
Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023
@arroz And you found the copy function! :-)
Show threadMiguel ArrozApr 24, 2023
@deepgreen I have no idea what I'm doing, I haven't played chess in ages. 😄 Pawn promotion happens when the pawn gets to the last row, right? Can that happen on my current board?
Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023

@arroz You're right, it requires the pawn to reach the opponent rank. It can't take place on your current board. I just saw your last move and assumed the queen was the result of a promotion. Try to copy paste this into a new game (from Wikipedia):

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. e3? Bb4+ 5. Bd2 dxe3! 6. Bxb4?? exf2+! 7. Ke2 fxg1=N+!

Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023
@arroz Oh, not promotion (but same underlying error, I think). I'll make sure to fix in any case. Looks like you lay better than me ;-)
Show threadSajid Nawaz Khan Apr 24, 2023
@deepgreen Thank you, and loving the update — but did expect the "+" above the “No Games” label to allow me to add a game. It feels like it should :)
Show threadDeep GreenApr 24, 2023
@snkhan I can’t say I disagree. The idea was to make users familiar with the plus button in the navigation bar.
Show threadKeith ShawApr 25, 2023

@deepgreen I think I broke it. Sorry I’m not very good at chess. Nice app! [Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.04.24"]
[Round "?"]
[White "You"]
[Black "Steampunk"]
[Result "*"]
[WhiteType "human"]
[BlackType "program"]
[Time "19:26:30"]
[BlackEngineConfiguration "Engine: Steampunk, Version: 4.0, Depth: 2, Concentration: 75"]

1. d4 Nc6 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bc4 d5 4. b3 dxc4 5. bxc4 Bf5 6. Qf3 Be4 7. Qxf6 exf6
8. Nc3 Bxg2 9. Nf3 Bxh1 10. Ne4 *
Now, I cannot move.

Show threadDeep GreenApr 25, 2023
@keithws Thanks for reporting, Keith, will be fixed in the next release.
Show threadDeep GreenJan 8, 2025
@keithws Fixed in the update that came out yesterday.
Show threadKeith ShawJan 11, 2025
@deepgreen Confirmed fix! My existing game even became playable! Nice work. Thank you!
Show threadDeep GreenJan 11, 2025
@keithws I'm glad to hear, thanks for the patience!
Show threadMikkel Selsøe SørensenApr 25, 2023
@deepgreen Congratulations on the launch! 🔥 Great to see Deep Green cogs are turning once again and all your hard work finally come to life on the App Store. I have to admit I miss the felt and wood feel though. I look forward to follow the development. 💪
Show threadDeep GreenApr 25, 2023
@selsoe I know some users are disappointed, but the current look is not final. It’s what I had time and skills to do. It will improve over time. I can *finally* take it step by step.
Show threadOlivier MartinApr 25, 2023
@deepgreen I’m a bit sad the `+` button does not do anything on an iPhone 8 / 16.4.1 (well it responds to the touch and then the UI is frozen). Anything I could do ? Or an update with a fix ?
Show threadDeep GreenApr 25, 2023
@oliviermartin The + button in the navigation bar? That’s supposed to work, and on all devices. I’ll try on a simulator, since I don’t have that model. Only thing I can suggest if the problem persists is to delete the app and reinstall (you’ll lose your games, though, but it sounds like you can’t create them anyway).
Show threadOlivier MartinApr 25, 2023
@deepgreen Re-install doesn’t help unfortunately, maybe you can reproduce on a simulator. I unlogged from Game Center just in case but no.
Show threadDeep GreenApr 25, 2023

@oliviermartin I don’t use Game Center so that shouldn’t make a difference. I’ll try on the simulator first, and I think we have an iPhone 8 at the office (my day job) that I can try tomorrow.

Another long shot in the meantime: copy just a single word to the clipboard and try again (the system checks the clipboard which could, but probably doesn’t, cause an error).

Show threadOlivier MartinApr 25, 2023
@deepgreen Same, but thanks for the suggestion anyway :)
Show threadDeep GreenApr 27, 2023
@oliviermartin Hi, Oliver, I have not had success finding an iPhone 8. But haven’t given up on it; let me know if the situation changes. What version of iOS are you running?
Show threadOlivier MartinApr 27, 2023
@deepgreen Thanks, I’m sure you’ll find out :)
Still the same, I’m running on iOS 16.4.1
Show threadOlivier MartinApr 27, 2023

@deepgreen Not sure if it’s relevant but here is the trace when tapping the button, it halts at the last line :

https://gist.github.com/omartin/80b95c0d7a5dca1459275d0fdb88a231

Deep Green trace

Deep Green trace. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

Gist
Show threadDeep GreenApr 28, 2023
@oliviermartin That could be helpful, yes. I checked earlier to see if there were any crash reports in App Store Connect, but there wasn't any. I have downloaded your file, so you can delete it if you want. I’ll investigate…
Show threadDaniel MatarazzoApr 28, 2023
@oliviermartin @deepgreen I have the same issue, tried the same recommended solutions without luck. iPhone 11/16.4.1
Show threadDeep GreenApr 28, 2023
@dmatarazzo @oliviermartin Thanks for voicing this. I’m sorry. This is puzzling. I’ll be looking into it over the next few days. Olivier’s log has given me a clue at least…
Show threadDaniel MatarazzoApr 28, 2023
@deepgreen @oliviermartin No problem, thanks for looking into it!
Show threadplumpeadMay 2, 2023
@deepgreen the app crashes when you play with the engine
Show threadDeep GreenMay 2, 2023

@plumpead There is a bug which shows itself under certain circumstances. It will be fixed for the next release.

If you want to be sure, you can copy or share the game by holding down on the game preview (in the list) and select Copy or Share and send it over to me. Thanks.