Author: Melvin S. Schwartz
Date: 11:25:11 12/15/99
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On December 14, 1999 at 18:37:25, Derek Bays wrote: >I was thinking about getting the Comprehensive Chess Program offered here >at ICD for $64.95 as I was taking lessons from a master and the lessons were >just thrown at me haphazardly. Can I hear recommendations from actual masters >who have evaluated the program and/or other Chess Mentor users' impressions of >the software? Has it improved your play? Have you experienced a significant >increase in your OTB rating as a result of learning from this software? > >Thanks in advance for your help. > >-Derek. Hello Derek, I have read the posts below about the Tasc Chess Tutor and believe there is something left out you should know: The Tasc system with Chessica always shows the board with White on the bottom - even when it's Black's turn to move! In other words, the tutor program does not flip the board when it's Black's turn to move. Also, you can score only 70% and still progress to the next series of tests. To me that means you really didn't answer the questions and, in my opinion, you haven't learned well what you were tested on. With Chess Mentor, you are drilled on problems until you get it right 100% of the time. This means that if you fail to perfectly solve the problem, regardless of how many moves it takes, you will be given those examples again from time to time until you get it absolutely 100% correct! Another nice thing about Chess Mentor is the modules available to further increase your learning process. This is an ongoing project from Chess Mentor which is quite a nice feature. My opinion is Tasc does present a good program for learning; however, I personally find playing Black with the White pieces on the bottom a real annoyance. I also found it sometimes hinders what I would have seen had the board been positioned correctly. Well, that is my opinion on these two programs that can help you. One other thing about Chess Mentor, I believe you are better "coached" with Chess Mentor. On the plus side for Tasc, it is well-structured and presents a good teaching process for seeing certain things and repeats the process well in different ideas. However, I think that the fact it lets you "pass" with just a 70% score is wrong. As previously mentioned, playing Black from White's viewpoint is also wrong in my opinion. You can always do what I did - get them both! :-) Good luck in whatever you decide. Regards, Mel
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