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yabanci
07-31-2006, 02:26 AM
Can anybody recommend a good computer chess program to play against and learn from?

I haven't played the game in a dozen years or so and would be little more than a beginner at this point. I don't need anything too advanced, but I don't want a silly game either.

Chessmaster (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023XXMM/sr=1-1/qid=1154329300/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4830980-0315360?ie=UTF8&s=videogames) seems popular, but the copy protection scheme described in the Amazon reviews scares me away.

Deep Fritz (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BTLYAU/ref=dp_return_2/102-4830980-0315360?ie=UTF8&n=468642&s=videogames") looks like another possibility.

There are so many out there it's hard to make sense of them. I thought somebody here might have some advice. Basically looking for a good user interface, decent graphics, tutorials/advice, good AI, etc. Thanks.
Airhog
07-31-2006, 06:59 AM
Fritz is probably hands down the best game on the market.
MJ4H
07-31-2006, 08:36 AM
While I agree Fritz is probably near enough the best to be called that, it does not have many learning aids. Chess Master is more than good enough for 99.99% of chess players and has outstanding learning aids. Therefore, I heartily recommend the latest Chess Master over Fritz.
Bad-example
07-31-2006, 12:11 PM
While I agree Fritz is probably near enough the best to be called that, it does not have many learning aids. Chess Master is more than good enough for 99.99% of chess players and has outstanding learning aids. Therefore, I heartily recommend the latest Chess Master over Fritz.

Yep. Fritz is somewhat stronger but Chessmaster has more bells and whistles. Both are plenty strong enough for almost any player.
JAG
07-31-2006, 12:43 PM
While I agree Fritz is probably near enough the best to be called that, it does not have many learning aids. Chess Master is more than good enough for 99.99% of chess players and has outstanding learning aids. Therefore, I heartily recommend the latest Chess Master over Fritz.

What MJ4H said. Also, if you want to be frugal and avoid whatever copy protection you're talking about, see if you can find an older version of ChessMaster on EBay.
MikeVic
07-31-2006, 12:53 PM
... I thought you guys were playing to Fritz's plea awhile ago about not using his name in posts so that he can search for threads properly. Had no idea there was a chess program called Deep Fritz.
yabanci
07-31-2006, 09:05 PM
It looks like I can get a jewel case version of Chessmaster 9000 (previous version) at CompUSA for $9.99. It sounds like that might be the best option with which to begin. I can always move up later if it sustains my interest. Thanks for the tips.
Godzilla Blitz
08-01-2006, 05:05 PM
Good discussion on the same topic here (http://www.octopusoverlords.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=36235&sid=62bb40c1e559dbef4802d92ea6e12df4).

Also, Circuit City is having a Buy One/Get One Free deal on PC games this week. Chessmaster 10 is $19.99, so you could grab that and another $19.99 game for $20 total.
jbmagic
08-01-2006, 09:15 PM
http://www.freechess.org/
MJ4H
08-01-2006, 09:46 PM
freechess.org is an online chess server, not a computer chess program (I used to be on staff there)