Author: David Dahlem
Date: 12:16:08 12/08/04
Go up one level in this thread
On December 08, 2004 at 13:37:39, Jeff White wrote:
>On December 08, 2004 at 02:38:20, David Dahlem wrote:
>
>>On December 08, 2004 at 00:32:48, Jeff White wrote:
>>
>>>Does anyone remember this program? I cannot remember where I heard the name of
>>>this program. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>Jeff
>>
>>If my memory is correct, there was a program by this name included in a chess
>>tutorial that was available for the Commodore 64.
>>
>>Regards
>>Dave
>
>Yup!! It was Paul Whitehead Teaches Chess. The program within that was called
>The Coffee House Chess Monster. Thanks for the reminder
I found this review with Google at
http://www.textfiles.com/apple/REVIEWS/pwteacheschess.txt
Paul Whitehead Teaches Chess including Coffeehouse Chess Monster (Chess
Tutorial/Player)
Compatibility: 64K Apple II series
Requirements: One disk drive; printer optional
Before computers, would-be wood pushers used to learn how to play chess via
instruction at the hands of a chess player and/or by studying 'how to' books.
Hence the proliferation of such titles as "Learn Chess Fast", "They Laughed When
I Sat Down to Play", etc. The advantages of the guru-plus-books approach are
obvious, since learning the game involves both learning how the pieces move and
a chance to maneuver them against an active opponent. Fortunately for those long
on desire but short on gurus, Paul Whitehead and his pal, the Coffeehouse Chess
Monster, are ready to lead you into the wonderful world of forks, pins, and open
files.
Paul Whitehead Teaches Chess (PWTC) is a collection of discussions
accompanied by examples and pictorial illustrations. Where an example involves a
move sequence, you are able to step through the moves, obtaining additional
commentary where warranted. A key feature of the experience is the ready
accessibility of a chess playing program (actually a pretty good one) named the
"Chess Monster". Here you may experiment the tutorial position from either side
and then return to the tutorial.
Each tutorial unit is an instructional jewel; but much of this effort would
be for nought were it not for careful organization. PWTC makes sure the units
and sub-units are arranged so that, as you move through the program, everything
makes sense.
Beginning with "Main Topics" ("Rules", "Tactics for Each Piece", "Opening
Principals", and "The Endgame") all you need do is select topics and sub-topics
according to your own interests. You may or may not choose to immerse yourself
in, for example, knight tactics. If you do, you won't suddenly encounter a
discussion on "bishop pins"; nor are you likely to miss something important
concerning knight tactics. To help you plan your quest PWTC includes a large,
detailed map of the package's topics 'tree'.
Evidently, the program is virtually 'fool proof', at least as regards
getting lost. At one point, after several switches to and from the "Monster", I
took a wrong turn and wound up 'elsewhere'. Since all branches eventually return
to the "Main Topics" menu, I was soon unlost and ready to go on. (Actually, it's
fun to wander around the program just to see what's there.)
Hardcopy documentation, except for the map, is a weakness; but otherwise,
the package is first rate. Offering a very flexible, interesting learning
environment, Paul Whitehead and the "Coffee House Chess Monster" have teamed up
to produce an in-depth, action-packed route to chess mastery.
Available from Enlightenment: 1240 Sanchez, San Francisco, CA 94114. (415)
641-9131. $49.95
GRFX S.M. PLAY DIFF INTR GAME/ED
-------------------------------------
07 06 07 05 07 06/08
Regards
Dave
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