|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
3/5 |
engrossing but unreal
(June 18, 2005) |
|
This game has great features - I particularly like the one where you enter a position and it produces a recommendation, with the whys and wherefores and what could happen next and how to reply. But only 3 stars cos the AI is not good. I find it unbeatably good when u set it to a high rating - nothing new there for me - I'd be disappointed if couldn't crush me. But on a middling rating it is not realistic of a human at my level (about 1500 rating in this thing, more like 1250 on freechess.org). It plays badly in the opening, and you often get a piece ahead. It often lets you swap off pieces, even queens. Normally, if I am a piece up against a player of similar ability and the queens are gone, and there is no obvious threat, then I will win 99% of the time. But not here. It suddenly ups its ability and builds amazing attacks using 4 or 5 pieces, often ending in a midboard mate after 5-10 forced moves. Real 1500 strength players cannot do this. This is not great preparation for real world games. |
|
|
5/5 |
A fantastic way to learn
(March 26, 2004) |
|
I'm reviewing this software from the perspective of the novice. I've just started to explore and learn the game, and I don't think I could have done better than to buy this pc cd. First off, this is crammed with stuff that you could spend a lifetime exploring. There are teaching programmes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, annotated championship games, a training course on the psychology of chess, a library and database on all aspects of the game including opening move books. As far as playing the game, you can choose from playing a single game against a myriad of differently rated computer opponents, each with their own different backgrounds and quirks (and you can access a potted biography of each character) from children and beginners to grandmasters, to playing a rated game under tournament conditions. The boards and pieces are splendidly portrayed and you can choose from a generous range of different boards and pieces, in 3D or 2D, and you can 'tweak' most aspects of the presentation to suit you (eg board size, angle, rotation etc). You can play live over the internet on 'CM live' to test out your newly honed skills on real human beings.... I've also bought a number of books to help me with my new hobby but this is far and away the most helpful, entertaining tool I've come across. Fantastic value. |
|
|
3/5 |
Same old same old
(May 19, 2003) |
|
Being into chess and chess related software for some 10 years now I am familiar with the chessmaster programs. For beginners the software is very good...but don't be fooled into thinking you are getting anywhere playing the personalitys...they are grossly over-rated compared to real human players...a 1800 player on CM9000 plays nothing like a 1800 human. A 1800 human has positional depth and excellent opening knowledge...the characters on here are laughable when it comes to book knowledge and definently have positional problems that no 1800 would ever have...also they blunder pieces for absoloutly no reason whatsoever...perhaps to give it that 'human' feel but its very artificial and looks ridiculous. Even the weaker characters in the game play like idiots and then pull off an amazing 'computery' combination out of the blue...this feels stupid. The engine CM9000 use's 'The king' is not considered especially good in positional play by experienced engine users and gets by with its sharp tactical and endgame play usually. As you get to 2200 rated players and above it will usually bust open the position trying to create complications rather than win by a positional game. Very anti-human style. There are some positional characters you can choose...including all the great players from history like Capablanca (a very positional player) but they don't really have a clue, as its an engine, and engines are not good in pure positional play so its a bit of a joke. As far as analyzing your games against real human's is concerned the engine is very useful, especially in the endgame as 3,4 and some 5man tablebases are supplied (tablebases are completely solved material balances the engine can refer too in its analysis with an instant score)...but all I am saying is don't think a 1600 human is going to play like the 1600's in this program!
The teaching in this program is excellent...There is no other program with such an extensive range of classes and tests into all facets of chess play. The opening's can be studyed move for move...there are middlegame studys and tests....there is an excellent endgame test prepared. There is lots of great things to do and learn in this program for beginners and I am envious that when I first started out i did'nt have this program!
IM Josh waitzkin supplys a number of audio annotated games to listen too and these are excellent, showing the psychology and tension of the game in real life games he has played around the world.
There is also a fully searchable database of 500,000 games if you want to seriously study a particular move order in the opening....or perhaps study an individual player and his style.
One thing new in this edition is the excellent 3D pieces which really look great. Unlike the previous versions, which were static representations of a 3D board, these are proper fully resizable and rotational 3D pieces...and their are quite a few to choose from to suit all tastes...with shadows and bump mapping to give it that realistic look.
The only trouble with this program is that there is nothing new or impressive enough in it from previous versions to really make you feel satisfied at buying it after spending your cash on CM8000 or 7000.Hence the 3 stars.... If you do not have previous versions, and are just learning the game, then this is excellent for you. If this was CM1000 than it would get 5 stars. |
|
|
4/5 |
Hours of fun for chess enthusiasts
(April 11, 2003) |
|
This is an excellent chess program for all enthusiasts and beginners alike. There is plenty of tuition and many puzzles to tax even the cleverest chess brain. As you gradually improve Chessmaster allows you to challenge better opponents. I would recommend this program to anyone with an interest in chess. |
|
|
5/5 |
Interested in chess ? BUY THIS NOW
(February 09, 2003) |
|
Out of the blue I decided to take up chess, Starting at amazon I found chessmaster 9000 appeared to be the only one worth buying - and it is !! The lessons are great from the very basics into infinity (and beyond) I have completed the basic lessons and am now onto the intermediate - my chess reting (or grading) is now at a fairly respectable 1430, aftr only a few weeks. Grandmaster kasparov need not worry as he is 2800+.
If you or you kids have any hankering to play - dont hesitate.
play against 100's of different computer rated players, online against fellow humans or just run through one of the classic games of the past.
ITS ALL GOOD. |
|
|
|