App reviews: Really Bad Chess, C25K 5K Trainer Free

Really Bad Chess

Really Bad Chess is an engaging and wacky version of the classic game, which assigns players a random set of chess pieces. The pieces move in the same way as in regular chess, but players could end up with three bishops, a couple of queens, five knights - you never know what you're going to get. The result is a controlled version of chaos on the chessboard, and it provides an interesting challenge for new and old chess players. The free version of the game pits players against the game's artificial intelligence in a few game modes that let you improve your rank among all of the game's players. You can also pay $3 to unlock a pass-and-play mode, which has an ad-free mode.

Players have the opportunity to exercise the critical thinking and planning skills that are so fundamental to the traditional game. Overall, it's a fun version of an old game that, wonderfully, doesn't take itself too seriously. Free, for iOS devices.

C25K 5K Trainer Free

Are those big, warm, winter meals straining your belts? Has your doctor gently suggested you should move around more? If you're feeling sedentary - but can't quite bring yourself to go for a jog on your own - you may want to try a couch-to-5K program like C25K 5K Trainer Free. This program is designed to ease you back into your running shoes, or even encourage you to give them some good use for the first time. The app starts gently and, over time, ramps up the amount that you run with the ultimate goal of a 5K. Just pop in your headphones, and the app will give you instructions on when to walk and when to run. (That way, you don't have to count while wheezing.) The app suggests running three times a week; it also syncs with many music apps if you need tunes for motivation.

The app promises to take you through the program in eight weeks. It goes beyond the basics and can keep you motivated without nagging. Free, for iOS and Android devices.