Released in the early 2000s (circa 2002-2004) by Interplay and often distributed by eGames or various budget software labels, Battle Chess: Game of Kings was a spiritual successor and technical overhaul of the original DOS classic. While the original Battle Chess used EGA/VGA 2D sprites, Game of Kings introduced a fully 3D-rendered board with 2D pre-rendered animated sprites (or early 3D models depending on the graphics toggle).
Version 1.1.1.18720 is the third official patch/update of the software. The build number breaks down as follows:
This specific version addresses several critical bugs found in the original 1.0 release, including:
Beyond the visuals, v1.1.1.18720 functions as a fully featured chess client. Battle Chess Game of Kings v1.1.1.18720
In the pantheon of classic PC strategy games, few titles have bridged the gap between intellectual rigor and visceral entertainment as seamlessly as Battle Chess. Originally released by Interplay Entertainment in 1988, the game took the 1,500-year-old game of royalty and injected it with a dose of Monty Python-esque slapstick violence. Fast forward to the early 2000s, and the franchise saw a refined, modernized re-release: Battle Chess Game of Kings v1.1.1.18720.
This particular version number—v1.1.1.18720—represents more than just a patch; it is the gold standard of the Game of Kings era. For collectors, retro-gaming enthusiasts, and chess aficionados, this build signifies stability, full compatibility, and the pinnacle of 2D/3D hybrid chess animation. This article dissects every aspect of this specific version, from its installation quirks to its deep strategy engine.
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Battle Chess\savegame.dat
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Earlier versions suffered from stretched textures on LCD monitors. This build introduces proper 800x600 and 1024x768 support with a “Keep Aspect Ratio” toggle hidden in the config.ini file. The 3D board is rendered in flat-shaded polygons, while the characters are 2D sprites—a hybrid technique that aged surprisingly well.
The AI in v1.1.1.18720 is based on an early derivative of the GNU Chess engine. It offers 10 difficulty levels:
This version polished the timing of the following iconic battles: This specific version addresses several critical bugs found
Version 1.1.1.18720 fixed a notorious bug where the “King vs. Pawn” animation would loop indefinitely. In this build, the animation plays exactly once, resulting in the pawn being beheaded cleanly.
| Feature | Battle Chess v1.1.1.18720 | Chess.com (Modern) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Presentation | Animated death scenes | Static 2D/3D pieces | | AI Strength | ~1600 Elo (Level 10) | 3200+ Elo (Stockfish) | | File Size | ~250 MB | N/A (Cloud) | | Offline Play | Yes | No (requires internet) | | Fun Factor | Extremely High | Moderate |
While modern engines are objectively stronger, none have replicated the tactile, humorous joy of watching a rook turn into a dragon to incinerate a bishop. Battle Chess Game of Kings v1.1.1.18720 holds a unique niche: a competent chess tutor disguised as a cartoon brawler.