Chessmaster 9000

 

 

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With a database of over 800 classic games including games from 2001 and 2002 this game is an excellent educational package.

It has enough features to improve anyones game, from beginner to master. The chess sets/pieces available are the best yet.

It comes with the normal online options and you can play against over 150 cpu players(varying strengths) offline.
The Chessmaster himself should be left to Kasparov to tackle!

If you own the previous game (chessmaster 8000) then I don't think there's enough here to warrant purchase, if you didn't buy that release then get this game, it is quite simply the best chess package available on any platform ever.

Chessmaster 9000 appears to be the complete package in Chess software. The tutorial feature is second to none with animated examples illustrating the various strategies required to become a Grand Master. From novice upwards, if you take on board the lessons taught you will beat your friends 'who can play chess' within days!

The computer can play games of a similar strength to the human player to keep up interest levels and can cater for all but the strongest of players.

If your a computer programmer and you believe you can do a better job than the 'King' - Chessmasters 'Thinking' engine - then you can temporarily replace it with yours and give it a whirl!

Either way I don't know how they make money at this price!

Being into chess and chess related software for some 10 years now I am familiar with the chessmaster programs. For beginners the software is very good...but don't be fooled into thinking you are getting anywhere playing the personalitys...they are grossly over-rated compared to real human players...a 1800 player on CM9000 plays nothing like a 1800 human. A 1800 human has positional depth and excellent opening knowledge...the characters on here are laughable when it comes to book knowledge and definently have positional problems that no 1800 would ever have...also they blunder pieces for absoloutly no reason whatsoever...perhaps to give it that 'human' feel but its very artificial and looks ridiculous. Even the weaker characters in the game play like idiots and then pull off an amazing 'computery' combination out of the blue...this feels stupid. The engine CM9000 use's 'The king' is not considered especially good in positional play by experienced engine users and gets by with its sharp tactical and endgame play usually. As you get to 2200 rated players and above it will usually bust open the position trying to create complications rather than win by a positional game. Very anti-human style. There are some positional characters you can choose...including all the great players from history like Capablanca (a very positional player) but they don't really have a clue, as its an engine, and engines are not good in pure positional play so its a bit of a joke. As far as analyzing your games against real human's is concerned the engine is very useful, especially in the endgame as 3,4 and some 5man tablebases are supplied (tablebases are completely solved material balances the engine can refer too in its analysis with an instant score)...but all I am saying is don't think a 1600 human is going to play like the 1600's in this program!
The teaching in this program is excellent...There is no other program with such an extensive range of classes and tests into all facets of chess play. The opening's can be studyed move for move...there are middlegame studys and tests....there is an excellent endgame test prepared. There is lots of great things to do and learn in this program for beginners and I am envious that when I first started out i did'nt have this program!
IM Josh waitzkin supplys a number of audio annotated games to listen too and these are excellent, showing the psychology and tension of the game in real life games he has played around the world.
There is also a fully searchable database of 500,000 games if you want to seriously study a particular move order in the opening....or perhaps study an individual player and his style.
One thing new in this edition is the excellent 3D pieces which really look great. Unlike the previous versions, which were static representations of a 3D board, these are proper fully resizable and rotational 3D pieces...and their are quite a few to choose from to suit all tastes...with shadows and bump mapping to give it that realistic look.
The only trouble with this program is that there is nothing new or impressive enough in it from previous versions to really make you feel satisfied at buying it after spending your cash on CM8000 or 7000.Hence the 3 stars.... If you do not have previous versions, and are just learning the game, then this is excellent for you. If this was CM1000 than it would get 5 stars.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Computer Chess for beginner to advanced.
Although I have played chess for many years, I started the course on this CD and am already delighted with what I have learnt. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Elizabeth S. Wells

3.0 out of 5 stars engrossing but unreal
This game has great features - I particularly like the one where you enter a position and it produces a recommendation, with the whys and wherefores and what could happen next and... Read more

Published on 18 Jun 2005 by tofuburger

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic way to learn
I'm reviewing this software from the perspective of the novice. I've just started to explore and learn the game, and I don't think I could have done better than to buy this pc... Read more

Published on 26 Mar 2004 by Adam Brooks

4.0 out of 5 stars Hours of fun for chess enthusiasts
This is an excellent chess program for all enthusiasts and beginners alike. There is plenty of tuition and many puzzles to tax even the cleverest chess brain. Read more

Published on 11 April 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Interested in chess ? BUY THIS NOW
Out of the blue I decided to take up chess, Starting at amazon I found chessmaster 9000 appeared to be the only one worth buying - and it is !! Read more

Published on 9 Feb 2003 by jonnywildboar

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