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Full user review
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5 stars
Version: Kasparov Chessmate
"Best Chess Software Out There!"
Pros: It's the smartest, quickest, and most pleasing computer I've ever played!!!! It's a great chess partner AND learning tool for all level of players. The tips, help, and training features are well implemented. There are over 50 difficulty levels!
Cons: No online play option... I guess I'll have to stick with Free Internet Chess Server to play real people.
Summary: You can use a sliding scale to choose from well over 50 different difficulty levels.
The trial is only 1hr and the cost is $19.99. However, there's nothing better out there... so I'm buying it.
The computer is snappy in choosing its moves, even at high difficulty levels.
The (optional) tips are implemented well, saying things like "watch out for his queen" and "wow, good move".
You can ask for help when needed and get told what your best move is.
The training section is impressively huge. Tutorials cover dozens of classical openings, middle games, end games, allowing you to see how the games progress. There's also a whole bunch of "mate in X moves" puzzles (with solutions available for when you get frustrated).
You can save your games in .pgn format and review them later. You can also review real games played by Kasparov.
Last, I haven't really tried this out, but it seems that you can play against different types of computer opponents in the "Kasparov Chess Club". You can play against Lorrie who is "more concerned about the opening than the win" or against tom "who also belongs to a bridge club".
It ELIMINATES the hassles of playing a live opponent:
a) waiting for your (live) opponent to make his move or
b) stressing out and/or losing because of time limits
c) making stupid mistakes and not being able to take them back
I played this software on an airplane once and thought "wow, if this software is so good, think of what I could find online".
THE ALTERNATIVES SUCK: CHESSMASTER is slow and awkward. CHESSRALLY only has three levels of difficulty... Chess NX only has 5 levels. "100% Free Chess" also has few difficulty levels and is super slow.
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