Author: Richard A. Fowell (fowell@netcom.com)
Date: 12:23:06 12/11/99
Go up one level in this thread
(some more thoughts)
I received my copy of Chessmaster 6000 for Mac on Thursday.
Definitely an improvement in features over Chessmaster 4000 Mac -
addresses many of the things in Chessmaster 4000 that irritated me - now
includes a decent (actually, excellent) 2D "diagram" set, PGN import/export
vastly improved (that is, present), and it shows the last 4 PVs during
analysis.
Given that Chessmaster 6000 PC outperformed all other PC programs on
200 MHz Pentiums in the SSDF computer-computer trials (albeit not by
a statistically significant margin) the engine should be top-notch strength.
The featured (ie. - front of the package) improvements are:
- Rated Play against life-like opponents ( very fun for competitive
types like me, and the ability to spar against varying levels and
styles is very useful. I was able to dispatch a "1600" personality
in blitz play, but it didn't play ridiculously, like the "290" personality.
- Illustrated Audio Analysis
This feature is used heavily by the (extensive) included tutorials from
GM Seirawan, Pandolfini and IM Waitzkin. It is even available for
the computer-generated analysis, although (alas) not for the user.
In this mode, the side branch variations are animated on the board,
with digitized voice commentary (even for engine-generated analysis)
and highlighting of various types - ghosted pieces, highlighted squares,
and lines and arcs marked on the chess board. Pretty much like having
a chess video on your computer. Note that Chessmaster installs Quicktime
4.0 on your computer to support this for those (like me) that had not
got around to it. I found this a very memorable way to convey information,
especially with the 3D sets.
- "The most powerful commercial chess program for your Macintosh"
I wouldn't be so sure about that - I'd say there is at least a 50/50 chance
that HIARCS 7.0 deserves that title. The HIARCS code ported very nicely to
the Mac (56% better nodes per second on the G3 vs. the Pentium II), and the
SSDF lead of Chessmaster 6000 over HIARCS 7.0 was only 12 Elo. But
if the post was done correctly, and the G3 architecture was friendly to the
Chessmaster 6000 code, Chessmaster 6000 should be very close in
strength to HIARCS 7.0, and I could see it being stronger in truth.
To first order, I'd say that any Macintosh owner interested in chess should
consider buying Chessmaster 6000 Mac. Possible reasons for not doing so:
- You find it unacceptable that the program must be played with the CD-ROM
in your computer's drive
- Your Mac doesn't meet the hardware requirements
( PowerPC with 90+ MHz, OS 7.5.3 or higher, 4x CD-ROM, 50 MB HD space,
800x600 display, thousands of colors)
- $40 is too much money for this (hint: put it on your Christmas list.
If that doesn't work, the freeware Sigma Chess 4.02 Lite is very nice:
http://users.cybercity.dk/~bst10651/
Here are some more links:
- the manufacturer's description and order page:
(it seems that Mattel owns The Learning Company which owns MindScape)
http://www.shopmattel.com/Product.asp?OID=4141762&SC=8358080
- A press release for Chessmaster 6000 Mac
http://www.maccentral.com/news/9912/09.chessmaster.shtml
- A couple of screenshots, including the nice diagram set:
http://www.gamedb.com/game_info.php?id=00460
- The Chessmaster Mac page at Mindscape ( pretty barebones: no pictures,
no update to reflect the release, and the online store doesn't offer
ChessMaster 6000 Mac yet)
http://www.chessmaster.com/cm-mac6000.htm
For those weighing whether they'd rather spend $55 on HIARCS 7.0 instead
( which offers some better analysis features (next best move, show best
three variations, batch position analysis) and supports multiple-game
PGN files, but lacks the Chessmaster varied opponents, 3D sets, massive
tutorial features) here's an online review I wrote:
http://www.gambitsoft.com/chess/games/hiar6me.htm
Richard A. Fowell (fowell@netcom.com)
http://dmoz.org/Games/Board_Games/Chess/Software/Macintosh/
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