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When all is said and done, this chess sim makes a good choice for both novices and seasoned players alike. Graphically, Chessmaster Challenge is more impressive than you might expect, though the demo disables the music option. If you don't already know how to play chess, you'll appreciate the in-depth tutorial, but proficient players can go straight to either the various chess-related brainteasers or a head-to-head match. You can choose from a number of different cartoon headshots to represent you, and you can also handpick one of many opponents who are ranked by skill level. Customization options include the ability to adjust the volume of the sound effects, change chess sets, and play in windowed mode. If we had a complaint about Chessmaster Challenge, it would be with the one-hour trial period, which seems a bit short to us. If you enjoy chess or want to learn the ropes, there's no reason not to check out this game.Publisher's Description
From PlayFirst:
Based on the award-winning Chessmaster series, Chessmaster Challenge is your teacher, mentor, and ultimate opponent. Whether you are learning chess, improving your strategy, or competing against world-class chess players such as Josh Waitzkin, this game will make you a better player while offering hours of mind-twisting fun.
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All versions:
3.3 starsout of 13 votes
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Current version:
3.3 starsout of 13 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-10 of 10
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"Very Hard!"
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
The game never last very long.
Cons
The ponds only move one space at a time. The little boy kicks my butt everytime and I graduated the third grade! My ma learns me now.
Summary
if your 40 and still live at home try and get your mom to buy you an easier game. I prefer pong.
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"Very disappointing for the price"
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
Has similar game play to the Chessmaster series.
Cons
Is based on the Chessmaster 9000, which can be purchased for shipping cost on used software sites. Features only 25 tutorials which most players who have played the game for any period of time are well beyond. You expect to be able to save games, to get games analysed for your mistakes. For $20 you expect much more from this software than what is provided considering how cheaply the older versions of the game are going for.
Summary
Not at all worth the $20. Sadly, ubisoft has taken the downloading option down for its 11th version of the game in favor of this half price but vastly inferior version. If you want to play chess and get better at it by learning your vulnerabilities and working to compensate for them, this is not the game for you. Just buy Chessmaster 9000 on a used software site and you'll get much more than you get with this.
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Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
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Cons
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Summary
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"Written by the most anal programmer in the universe."
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
It plays chess well. There are several virtual players to choose from. It gives hints in training mode.
Cons
There is no way to save a game.
Games are timed, which is beyond anal and ridiculous.Summary
I hate this game, black, icky, seething, oily hate. The next step is to delete it.
Update: I was doing a lot of writing today, so I decided to try this chess game again during my breaks.
There are two ways to play: training mode or play for points, also called rank.
In my first game for rank, my timer hit zero and the wretched game refused to play anymore. It's designed to do that.
This is the most retarded chess game I've ever seen. I'd rather shovel snow than play this special needs chess game one more time. If this game went to school, it would ride the short bus and go to class with all the other slow games.
I had a great move too. I was going to take the opponent's rook. Then move a pawn forward and again until I got a queen. And then I was going to name him Freddie Mercury.
I expect the guy who wrote this lousy game is fat, has a beard and ends up sitting by himself at parties because of his sad inability understand jokes, respond to subtle social nuances or to be any fun at all.
Updated on Mar 30, 2011
Out of 3 games: With 2 of them, the virtual opponent just stopped making ANY move! Even when his timer reached zero, he still did not make a move. There was no way to continue the game.
With the 3rd game, my king was in check. I could have moved my king out of check, but the game decided there was no way to get the king out of check. It declared the game over and it threw up a message, something like - The board will be locked until you start a new game.
Why would someone write a chess game like that? That is beyond anal. It's just a game. It's not like this program is guarding a nuclear missile silo.
I deleted Chessmaster with Revo Uninstaller. There were 12 leftover files that Revo could not delete, but they are marked to be deleted the next time I start the computer. -
"an interesting software"
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
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"awesome challenger !!!!!"
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
the graphic features provided and the puzzles
Cons
since its just for an hour i feel disappointed but i do accept your conditions
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"A great program, let down by poor boards"
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
Great fun challenges, loads of opponents with differing styles and ratings. Very simple user interface so easy to get up and running. Opportunity to improve rating is fun
Cons
I found the 3D boards very difficult to see pieces. often pawns hide behind major pieces. A selection of 2D boards is offered, but where's the fun in that? Other programs provide better boards where the view is more from above, avoiding this issue.
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"I can't pan it, but I don't much care for it."
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
Solid, basic tutorials for the beginner. The interface is clean. Hints, blunder alerts, undos are nice for the beginning player - as is the "chess coach" that highlights legal moves, danger zones, and so forth.
Cons
Time controls are extremly limited, and expect to play very slow games against the stronger computer opponents. It doesn't remember preferences or who you last played (so if you are playing a particular opponent, you have to scroll through a list to find them over and over). Not much fun for the intermediate to advanced player.
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"A nice game. (but i'm a chess fan)"
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
There are alot of extra functions, there is a undo button, but for the better players it can be a little easy. It's a good game for beginners.
Cons
It doesn't save you're changes, and ther is a time limit of 60 minuts, a good game of chess can take longer than that.
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"Great training tool for beginning player"
Version: Chessmaster Challenge 1
Pros
Lots of good training features, like an "undo" button, hints (best move, capture moves, safe moves, etc) that can be turned on and off as desired. It even lets you keep playing after time has expired if you so desire. It offers various skill levels of computer oponant. Also offers "ranked" play, where you can play without the hints and undo button. Plus, there are chess puzzles. Also, it has "coaching" tools if you're REALLY just getting started. Decent graphics, with several different chess sets to choose from.
Cons
The trial period is only 60 minutes. Also, even after you buy the game, it doesn't remember your preferences from one game to the next, which is minor, but slightly annoying.
Also, my husband, a former state chess champion, says that, even at the highest level, the computer is too predictable, uses a lot of "book" positions, so it probably isn't a great game for an experience player looking for a good challenge.
Results 1-10 of 10
