Author: Albert Silver
Date: 17:26:35 12/26/04
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On December 26, 2004 at 16:03:46, Elizabeth McGillicuddy wrote:
>I'm a beginner (late in life), and I'm not in a position to join a club or get
>any kind of personal instruction right now. I picked up a copy of Chess Mentor
>Comprehensive on ebay, and I'm working through it. I like the program, and I'm
>thinking of getting some of the add-on modules, but from the descriptions, it's
>difficult to tell which ones would be best to start with. There are 15
>supplementary courses now, and many seem aimed at more advanced players. Since
>the cost adds up, I thought it would be better to get a few to start with and
>more if and when I'm ready for them. I toyed with the idea of getting the deluxe
>version with all the supplementary courses at once, although that's a chunk of
>money. There are some specials and sales on right now, but however I work it, it
>would cost around $330 to get all 15 supplementary courses and either a full
>version 3.0 or the upgrade to the version 2.0 I have now.
>
>Does anyone have any advice? Should I bite the bullet and get the full deluxe
>version (which for the month of December includes all 15 courses)? If I get just
>a few supplementary courses (say 3) to start with, which should they be? Is
>there a better program out now that I should try instead?
Do *NOT* buy the full Chess Mentor courses. It is a complete _rip-off_ by
today's market's standards. There are MANY excellent and far less expensive
options available.
It is difficult for me to properly guide you, not really knowing how much of a
beginner you are. By that I mean whether you are still mastering the way the
pieces moves, whether you have been playing for a few months, doing the courses
you have, and already have some further basic understanding of the game such as
developing your pieces, concepts of the center, etc.
I'm going to presume you know little for the sake of simplicity, and give you my
sincerest suggestion. I believe that there can be no real progress without a
basis in tactics. So that's really where I'd start. The best program for
beginners in this department IMHO is "Chess Tactics for Beginners" made by
Convekta (http://www.convekta.com). Convekta is a Russian company that makes the
best instructive software around for beginner to intermediate players (1900 Elo
or so) in my opinion.
This program is very well structured with mates in 1, in 2, tactics with
different pieces, and all well structured by level, and works with various types
of hints to help you when you are stumped. It has hundreds of exercises and can
be had for very little. The drills aren't very hard, are fun, and if you do them
regularly, you can be sure your ability will take off. Really. You can probably
get it at the host of this forum: http://www.chessusa.com
Another program that has more complete instruction on the game, and also frm
Convekta, is Advanced Chess School. Frankly, the name is the strangest thing, as
it is designed for beginners who want to reach intermediate level, and covers
pretty much all the essential knowledge you would need. I have it, and have
taught with it, so in both cases I am speaking from first-hand knowledge. This
second program is well-organized with many well-chosen examples, and exercises
to help reinforce what was learned.
In terms of sheer chess instruction, that's what I'd do. Still, don't forget
that you can study all you want, but must play to put it to use.
Albert
>
>I realize that I should finish the main course before I worry about
>supplementary courses, but (i) I'm eager and (ii) I would like to take advantage
>of the sales that are on till the end of the month.
>
>I did a search on Chess Mentor, and all the messages that turned up are very
>old, so sorry if this question has been asked before.
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