#ChessMaster 2000
This message turned up in search, but its forum couldn’t be identified from the original transcript, so it may not be linked into its thread.
Well I just couldn't wait to get my rear "thrashed", and believe me this prog
didn't disappoint me. From an ex-USCF rated player, who hated Chess programs as
being too SLOOooooowwww, I've got one comment:
WOW!!!
1) Disk is copy protected (Booo)
2) But games can be saved to a seperate disc (Yeh!). I hated writting to my
master disc.
3) Contains something on the order of eighty historic games, that can be
perused for learning. Heck, stop the game half way through and "try" to
beat the Russian horde.
4) Graphicly this thing is amazing. 2D or 3D option. Very nice detailing
and shading of the pieces. You can even change the colors of the pieces or
the board (uses sliders like preferences). The pointer becomes a hand which
"GRABS" the pieces when you're moving them.
5) Appears to be quite strong in the endgame, this is usually the foible of
most Chess programs. You beat them by swapping down to the King and pawns,
but not this dude. Keep it complex and hope for a mistake.
6) Twelve levels of play, Chess clock as an option, and an interesting
feature called "Best Move". Chose "random" for crazy games, "Best" for the
computer to play his best, or "Coffeeshop" where it will mix-up random and
best.
7) There is an "analysis" function, which will "analyze" a saved game.
Don't really know what this means, haven't tried it. Even the instr-
uctions say this is lengthy.
8) My only real bitch, it uses Algebraic notation. (ie. e2-e4 means P-K4)
tough for inputing already played games.
9) Chess problems (ie. mate in two) are done graphicly.
10) If you enjoy a "good" game of Chess and have a hard time finding
someone to give you a hard fought game, this ones for you. Beginners can
use the "teach" function to help them "thump" their friends. All the
functions are menu driven (yeh for Amiga) and it supports all the rules (he
said "en passant).
11) Documentation is fair (How much do you need to "play" Chess?), the
manual contains some history of Chess and Chess programming, seperate sheet
for the functions, and a coupon to join the United States Chess Federation
(USCF). Oh, I forgot to mention, (features, features) it allows you against
the "Master", two player, or the computer against itself.
12) All-in-all, a very nicely done program. It gets my recommendation.
Sid Tinsley (getting off the soapbox and going to look for my dusty Chess
books, mumbling "I'll wax this sucker yet…grumble…mumble)