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Best of the series

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 66 / 66
Date: July 13, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've played Chessmaster since the 3000 version, which was DOS based and actually my favorite before Chessmaster 9000. I've also played the latest Chessmaster 10 but didn't like it. I prefer to play computer chess in 2D, and I didn't see a selection of boards to choose from the way I can in Chessmaster 9000. Also, I consider 9000's interface to be superior to Chessmaster 10, and featurewise you've got everything you need in 9000, including tutorials and a readily accessible openning book library to reference as you play. There's also a database of thousands of games you can easily query if you enjoy studying the games of the great masters. You can also create custom opponents, but you really shouldn't need to because there are dozens of pre-made ones to choose from, from total patzers to the mighty Chessmaster, himself. Also, the game isn't a hog that requires a powerhouse computer to play on. I play it on a Pentium 3, 700MHZ, with 256MB RAM no problem. Last but not least, there's the price. You can't go wrong at 10 bucks for this great game that's the best of it's series.

first class

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 21 / 22
Date: July 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The finally got their act together. I originally used version 5500 with good results. Then I tried a version between 5500 and 9000 and it was dismal. They subscribed to the software philosophy of switching features instead of adding features. This version 9000 has all of the features with none left out. They finally got their act together.

There is one problem. On my XP SP2 computer every 50 times I shut down the program the computer hangs up and I have to hold the power button down until the computer shuts down. Then I restart the computer. It is best to run this program when no other programs are running.

Challenging and Exciting Chess

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 17
Date: February 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Chessmaster 9000 is a nice improvement on Chessmaster 7000, the version I previously owned. The graphics are better, there are a few more nice features. Overall it is an excellent product.

Good purchase

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: March 26, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am happy with this purchase. I am an amatuer player. I was looking for a replacement for the playstation game I was using. This one made sense for the price; it actually exceded my expectations. It taught me basic principals of the game that I was ignorant of. A couple of the features I like are 1) the "historical games" feature which plays out games from hundreds of years ago to modern matches and 2) the "tutor mode" which recommends moves during a game.

Good for amatuers and to pass time. I probably will never be able to speak for advanced players.

For the price, AMAZING!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: March 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Chessmaster 9000 is no longer the "latest and greatest" version of CM. Therefore, the price is reduced to an amazing value (currently $10). The mentoring tools are excellent (quick hints, blunder alerts, analysis of games to point out where you made a mistake or missed a mate). The lessons by Josh Waitzkin are very interesting and the audio is excellent. I like the daily problem before you log-in. The ability to save games is really nice. The various "virtual players" is great to change the competition level to your mood (dominate, equal matched, or be dominated). There is also good and accurate descriptions of their styles (e.g., "exchanges queens").

A few downsides. The "True 3D" constantly crashes my fairly new high-end PC. So I've learned not to use it. There are plenty of attractive 2-D versions that are enjoyable to play.

The database of 800 games is good. A little hard to manuver. The viewable screen is a little too small. I would have likes more notes and commentary from a GM on the games.

After buying this a few months ago I play an average of a game or two a day. If my game continues to improve in the next year or so, I might consider purchasing Fritz, but for now, I'm very thrilled. I have yet to be bored of it. If you are a casual player, and don't want to waste a lot of money, this is an EXCELLENT product to have fun and to improve your game.

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: June 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am a total novice at chess at the age of 60. I am having so much fun learning this game that had always intimidated me. To top it off I even win on occasion.
Chessmaster 9000 helps build your skill levels and provides a variety of opponents - all in an attractive interface. Because Chessmaster 10 is now out the prices on this version are so reasonable it would be foolish to pass it up

AWESOME LEARNING TOOL AND FUN, FUN, FUN!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 21, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This software is GREAT! It has very informative tutorials, plus you can set up games against players at any level. Even my five year old likes to play chess in the "Kid's Room".

Best in the Series!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: June 06, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Wow! There are so many features, tutorials, help, classes, games etc... The skill levels vary widely so that anyone can use this tool to get better. I am very impressed with how detailed and helpful the tutorials are. There are literally hundreds of hours of play time here!

The only con is that when I first installed the game there were several bugs, including one that only let me play the Chessmaster no matter who I wanted to play. As soon as you get the game installed, be sure to update to the newest patch.

I relied on Amazon

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is the only Chessmaster game I have owned.I did not buy the latest version based on Amazon reviews. The bottom line is I like it. My chess ability being what it is, I will never even come close to beating it. I recomend it.

Chessmaster

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 60 / 63
Date: November 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I recently bought the Chessmaster 9000. The last program I had before it was the Chessmaster 2100. Let me say that I'm impressed. I'm a Class A player (1800-1999) and I enjoy this program. The Chessmaster is an extremely tough opponents. It even beat US Champion Larry Christiansen in a 6 game match. It's divided up into several sections.....

Tournament Room:
You play "rated" games or hold mock tournaments. There at least 50-100 different "personalities" that you can play against... different "people" that prefer different openings or style of play. This can be interesting to play against different styles and different levels. The downside to this is that the poorer moves they make is not typical of how a poorer human would play. Typically, you might push a pawn to attack a piece and the computer progam of "1400 rating" may leave it hanging. A real player rated 1400 does not make such dumb obvious misses. The tournament is nice but after you play your game, you have to sit and watch all the other games. Boring. You can play in 2D or 3D. However, even after a patch installed, it still crashes when I switch to 2D mode, though the 3D is much better than in CM 2100.

Game Room:
Allow you to play unofficial games against any personality or yourself. You can see what the Chessmaster is thinking the best line should be and what the "score" of the game is. Two of the better features are the "find the best move" and "analyze game." The "find the best move" will sit an analyze for a specified time, then play out the best sequence of moves, with audio, showing what the best line is. The "analyze game" spends a specified amount of time analyze a game and it will tell you what moves it agreed with, what moves you missed, if you missed a mate, etc. I use it to evaluate real games I have played in tournaments. It's almost like having a master go over your games with you. This is a very good tool.

Classroom:
This is a great feature. You have many tutorials and drills for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. These include annotated games, chess puzzles, finding mate, checking mating with given pieces and annotated games. Whatever level you are at, you can learn something from it. Then you have session called "Josh." Josh Waitzkin is a International Master and subject of the move "Searching for Bobby Fischer." Josh has audio sections of annotated games, endgame examples, and psychological aspect of competition. This is a nice section, because you can sit back, watch and learn. The pieces move, a human talks, and I've learned a bunch from it. It is more geared to intermediate-advanced players. I can sit back at watch instead of having a board and book and having to mull through variations... instead its played out for me.

Library and Database:
The library and the database has a bunch of stored games and opening book for reference. I haven't spent much time here.

This is 5 star program that almost gets a star knocked off for a couple bugs (It also crashes if you switch profiles.). With the program, the database, and the learning tools, all for $30, you can't go wrong.

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