Comments on: Chess strategy tutorial software?

Question: Chess strategy tutorial software?

LittleMissCranky — Fri, 14 May 2004 22:51:57 -0800

I want to learn to play chess. Anybody know of a good computer program to help me learn? More inside.

I'm not looking for basic instructions, but a sort of strategy tutorial program. I used to play occasionally, and I was okay, but now I can't really play at all.

By: BlueTrain

BlueTrain — Fri, 14 May 2004 23:03:45 -0800

Chessmaster is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to get your feet wet. If you find the price too steep, Chessmaster 8000 and 7000 are quite good as well.

By: dagny

dagny — Sat, 15 May 2004 05:45:42 -0800

Here's an inspirational story:

Magnificent Magnus, the world's youngest grandmaster (13 years old!)

By: Gyan

Gyan — Sat, 15 May 2004 07:48:34 -0800

I second Chessmaster.

By: Gyan

Gyan — Sat, 15 May 2004 07:58:14 -0800

That kid's amazing.

By: gyc

gyc — Sat, 15 May 2004 12:25:05 -0800

I agree Chessmaster is good (at least back when I used it a few years ago) but another option you might consider is Fritz which is pretty much the same program used in the Man v. Machine matches with Kasparov. It includes a good amount of stuff for training beginners and can grow with you as you improve.

By: bingo

bingo — Sat, 15 May 2004 21:08:16 -0800

I recommend the book "Chess Fundamentals" by Capablanca.

By: LittleMissCranky

LittleMissCranky — Sun, 16 May 2004 18:21:05 -0800

I picked up a copy of Chessmaster, and it is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the recommendation, everyone.

I might also take a look at the Capablanca book, bingo, thanks.

By: scarabic

scarabic — Sun, 16 May 2004 18:43:42 -0800

Oooh. Now I'm tempted too. I've never been able to learn from a book. I always feel like if I could figure out those static diagrams and see what I'm supposed to see from them, I'd already be great at chess.

By: LittleMissCranky

LittleMissCranky — Sun, 16 May 2004 21:38:26 -0800

Scarabic, it's pretty great. My favorite thing is that it has a "classroom" with literally tens of thousands of practice setups and drills. I don't like the static diagrams much myself, and this is a vast improvement.

By: vvv

vvv — Tue, 18 May 2004 14:24:42 -0800

LMC: theory is good, but practice is better. www.instantchess.com has a java board and you can play for free. I've subscribed, and found that going over my previous games has really helped. Best Lessons of a Chess Coach is a really good book.