Author: Albert Silver
Date: 05:18:41 03/11/99
Go up one level in this thread
On March 11, 1999 at 00:30:01, Richard VonMau wrote:
>Hi, I'm looking to buy my first (professional) chess program. I established a
>1493 rating 8 years ago and have not concentrated on playing until 6 months ago.
>I'm studying some books like "How to Reassess Your Chess", "Endgame Lab",
>"Comprehesive Chess Course" and "My Best Games 1908-1937 Alekhine" and using
>some shareware programs to play.
> I'll be joining a chess club next month because my night shift changes to
>dayshift (after 17 years I finally have enough seniority!) and I'll be able to
>attend the meetings.
> Anyway, my budget is no more than $100 (single income with 3 small children).
>I want the most helpful program for the buck.
> -Rebel 10 sounds good. Within budget, $60
> -Hiarsc 7.0 sounds good too, at $100 limit. Is it twice as good as others?
> -Nimzo 99 is another nice one and within budget, $50.
> -Fritz 5.32 sounds great, right price at $50, could this be the one?
>There are others but ... well dont know if they're worth the cost.
>Which leads to another question:
> -ChessBase 7.0 looks good, really good but is well out of budget, $220.
> Should I save my money until I can afford CB7 basic (or even CB7 Mega $400+)
>and continue with the CB light, Rebel Decade, Arasan shareware/freeware's?
> Or get one of the above programs that is within budget now?
> Can someone with experience with chess programs give me some guidance?
>Thanks for the help, in advance. Richard
Apart from the book on Alekhine's games, I don't know the others. As you
mentioned them, I'll add a couple of titles to your reading list:
- Winning Chess Tactics by Seirawan (tactics when climbing the ELO ladder will
produce the biggest effects I assure you at your level)
- Practical Chess Endings by Keres (I don't know Endgame Lab so am recommending
this classic by Keres that covers all the basics of endings)
Programs. Hmmm.... If the program is for you, I'd go for Fritz, though
Chessmaster is superb as well (from what I understand). Fritz is definitely the
more spartan of the two, but it has MANY functions that could be of use to you:
training mode, where it sets up tactics for you to find (and then tells you to
stop and see if you can find it), multiple levels of hints (in case you
blunder), etc... plus it has excellent DB functions, and other things.
In principle, a club is great, and I have had great experiences with them in
general. I started playing in Paris, and belonged to a large club that provided
classes once a week. The classes were good, and the atmosphere of the club
extremely friendly. I learned so much playing there, discussing positions or
games with others, not to mention the friends I made, that I find it hard to
understand someone not recommending joining a club. Still, I also remember my 3
year hiatus from chess when I was studying in Madison, WI, because the only club
there met once a week for two hours. Really sad, and I quickly gave up on it.
Albert Silver
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