Don't be too intimidated by the winner of the 2003 World Computer Chess Championship. Shredder Classic can vary both its strength and playing style to appeal to rookies and masters alike. Beginners can have the program search the current game for mistakes and analyze their positions. Experts will appreciate being able to compare and load multiple chess engines. The program strictly separates the playing engine and the interface. The interface lets you customize colors, fonts, and panel positions, even saving your favorite layouts. You can plug in third-party UCI and WinBoard engines. You won't have to play in isolation, since the program lets you load games in PGN and CBF formats. Through the Auto232 interface, you can play over the Internet with people who use other chess programs. Even at its highest strength, the program didn't slow down our computer. The game lets you choose from several different chess sets, but the demo won't save your game. Still, the trial version of Shredder Classic should impress most chess players.
What’s new in version 3
Version 3 features new analysis feature which allows a much quicker evaluation of alternative moves; new opening advisor allows Shredder to play much better without opening book.
It adjusts it's own rating up/down to be a match to the human opponent, and it gives the human an ELO rating of it's estimate of their capability.. It seems to vary it's playing style.
Cons
Don't expect free or cheap upgrades, as you may be disappointed.
Summary
If you only buy bone chess program for the PC, I would recommend Shredder Classic version 4.
I love this chess program
pedalmasher
Pros
The interface is outstanding, and I love the fact that as soon as I copy the PGN file of my game from chess.com, one click on it brings up Shredder ready and able to perform great analysis of my game.
Cons
I have found no cons.
Summary
Try the free 30 day demo of Shredder Classic 4 and you will ultimately buy this program.
It plays chess like a kamikaze pilot.
AnthonyStarfield
Pros
Shredder plays a fine game of chess, until it's huge flaw appears. It has a hint button and you can save games.
Cons
Shredder always gives away pieces. No moderately good human player would do that.
And the sound of it's pieces moving is way too loud compared to listening to the BBC or playing a song. There's no way to turn down its volume.
Summary
I've played 7 games with Shredder. I lost the first 4 and won the last 3. But the only reason I won was because Shredder always moved a queen, a rook or a knight so I could capture it without losing any of my own pieces.
That certainly drains all the challenge out of a chess game and it makes for a hollow, echoy victory.
i am chess club advisor at Jr High, way good for advanced studentss
bananadanna
Pros
Easy to yous and lose
Cons
Summary
beats ubisofts chessmaster - hands down.
hmazuji
Pros
easy to use, easy to set up. intuitive. excellent program. you don't need a cd in the cd tray to play it, and if you think software manufacturers have quit this archaic practice, you haven't tried ubisofts pos excuse for a game.
Cons
Summary
Cleancut Interface, humanlike play for beginners and up!
jasonkent
Pros
1. Options for different styles of play. Play against any style from an all out attacker or stout defender.
<p>2. Ability to set the program to play whatever level you want with handicaps.
<p>3. Very stable interface.
<p>4. Excellent interface trying freely availible UCI and WB chess engines.
<p>5. 30 day trial to check it out before you buy. :)
Cons
1. Not the best choice for young kids.
<p>2. It could have more tutorial features.
Summary
Something is wrong with this program
MysticDeity
Pros
Cons
Play it a long time, this software kept on crashing!
Summary
Pros
Cons
Summary
excellent product, but...
Pros
Cons
Summary
this game is excellent. But on the free version, please add at least a choice of three openings. I always started my game with P4K and the computer ALWAYS retuned the sicillian defense. Which is good but I got tired after a few games.
great program
Pros
Cons
Summary
fun to play with, good chess teacher, nice graphics, you should really try this one!