Author: Mike Byrne
Date: 17:50:35 09/12/03
The deficeinces in Majestic Chess can be categorize in two ways: 1. Critical features/functions that should be in any Pocket PC program today. 2. A Gross Programing error that makes one function worthless or not realiable. Missing Featues/Functions 1. No ability to turn ponder off - thus making the machine virtually unresponsive if you try to do something else 2. Analyze mode is not a an option. 3. Inadequate board choices - very dark even when illuminated. 4. No ability to load "fen" positons from a PGN file. (at least I was unable to) Gross Programming error. [d]R5Nk/7p/4pbpP/n1p4n/2p1b3/K1p3pq/8/8 w - - 0 1 bm Rb8 mate-in-6 It does find the mate in a reasonable amount of time - a minute or so. But when it plays out the moves - it never indicates checkmate - it just lets you keep playing even if you are already mated - kind of strange and casts a doubt on the overall programming integrity. Does have a modified random chess variant (no RFC castleing) and blinfold chess. Summary: Only the Micrsoft Pocket PC Chess program is worse than this one in my opinion that I hav experienced. PPC Chess Rankings Recommended: 1. Pocket Grandmaster (includes 3 engines (Ruffian. SOS. Gromit), DGT support, move announcement) (Best Program Overall, Best Buy and Best Value) - Ruffian is very strong (just behind PF 2 in my view and has a nice pickup in speed under PPC 2003 and X-Scale processor). Sees in excess of 20K nps on 400 Mhz Axim w/PPC 2003. Option loaded and handle lines in PGN files. If you have a DGT board, this is the FIRST one you want to get. 2. Genius (Best Simple Clear Graphics - best meets the ideal PDA functionality with intuitive GUI design without overloading the user with options. Ideal for the strong, but casual chess player looking for a mean opponent on the road and who not really care about playing his PDA in a 40/10/20/5/SD/5 time control game.. /Strong Engine) - biggest drawback IMO - does not support multiple lines in PGN files. 3. Fritz 2 - Excellent Program (may be the strongest engine, just ahead of Ruffian - only downgraded because of high price). 4. Fritz 1 - A tad buggy - overall - very good program for PPC 2000 - Does not work under PPC 2003 - not sure about PPC 2002. PF2 has more options than PF1 5. Chess Partner - Excellent GUI, mutlipple line support in PGN file. An excellent choice for U1700 players as it can actually be beat by me (1600) quite frequently. Which is nice after getting beatup by the other programs. All of these programs have the standard options - of positions set up, analyse mode, pondering off/on, wide variety of time controls and very good to excellent GUI's.
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