Chessmaster: The Art of Learning
by Ubisoft
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Video Game Reviews of Chessmaster: The Art of Learning
Customer Review: An incredible amount of Chess fun and learning for under $20
Summary: 5 Stars
The reviewer right below has stated it very well, so I won't bore anyone with too many details. This version of Chessmaster contains a true library of things to learn from various Masters of the game and is targeted at the Novice & Intermediate. The tutorials are done in a way that you don't have to be a strong Chess player to follow along. The puzzles, drills and game analysis are excellent ways to better understand the strategy & tactics behind winning Chess. My young daughter is finally wanting to learn Chess and I really appreciate how many areas of Chessmaster have been modified to apeal to children, while still not changing the other areas for us adult learners of this great game!
It's really amazing just how much quality content you get for under $20. If you like or love Chess or if you are just interested in learning how to play the game better, I'll bet you will have hours upon hours of fun with this program.
Customer Review: The Art of Learning
Summary: 5 Stars
I've only played one game against this computer software; computer opponents don't really interest me. Of course it's capable of beating most players, but it also has some colorful "personalities" to choose from: who have inherent weaknesses so you can win sometimes.
I am giving the full five stars due entirely to the tutorials by Josh Waitzkin that are included. These are worth much more than the cost of the software. Josh explains all the basic tactics, etc., and then takes you through some grand-master games explaining the subtleties and allowing you to try your hand ocassionaly. With audio accompanying the animated chessboard, some deep concepts are learned painlessly.
I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of material covered; I expected a brief introduction: instead it is a full course (and I haven't even looked at his end-game course yet).
I learned more (and enjoyed it more) than I have from many chess books costing far more.
Customer Review: Great value
Summary: 4 Stars
I've elected to start to play chess, and, since everyone here in Central Europe seems to have begun playing before they left the cradle, I needed something that could take me from the very basics to more advanced techniques. While I find it astounding that something as tried and true as chess doesn't have more free, online tutorials available, I have to say that the Chessmaster Grandmaster software has been thoroughly useful. There are actually three "academy" programs, all of which begin at the most basic level (i.e. this is the board, these are the pieces, the king is usually recognized by being the tallest piece, pawns move like this) and proceed to more advanced levels. The software also has extensive tutorials on learning to "see the whole board", something I was delighted to see and training I very much needed. After each tutorial, there's a useful quiz covering the info, which also builds on info from previous tutorials. Once you've gotten a few tutorials under your belt, the game then shifts to actual play, where you challenge computer generated players of gradually increasing rank. While playing, there are several tools made available to you, including clear indications of moves available to you (and your opponent) and a "blunder alert" setting that warns you of potentially foolish mistakes and suggests alternatives (the PC acting out the moves of consequence in both cases in addition to providing them in algebraic notation). All said, I'm immensely pleased with this purchase, and am already proving a challenge to some of my more experienced opponents here.
As the software has about ? of its design as primarily educational, and is geared more to adults, its "fun factor" is a bit low, hence the moderate fun rating given. Regardless, it's a great way to learn the game, and teens to adults who wish to learn will find it immensely useful in their endeavours.
Customer Review: I like it. Works on Windows Vista 64-bit
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought this in August 2008. Works fine on Windows Vista 64-bit. I've taken up an interest in chess lately. Aside from knowing both how the pieces move and that everyone on Yahoo Games can beat me, I didn't have any clue how to play the game. Slowly but surely this is changing. The lessons are extraordinarily helpful and they do not throw too many concepts at me at once. I sure can't speak for advanced players, but for beginners, this software is wonderful. For $20 (and less for used), it is an excellent buy.Customer Review: Great Teaching Tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoy this chess application. I am not a great chess player but the teaching tools contained in Chessmaster are excellent and I can see steady advancement in understanding the game.
I have had none of the problems mentioned in other reviews when running this program on my laptop.