Chess Software (Part 02)

Playing software

For beginners playing often (as in daily) is the best way of improving. Willing and able opponents are usually not readily available in any household and the computer (as an opponent) could be a reasonable substitute. For a number of years now some excellent playing software programs have been entering the market. 

The most popular in SA is perhaps the Fritz and the ChessMaster programs. Fritz is a more professional package aimed at the serious player and ChessMaster is aimed at the more social player who likes a good quality game on his computer. The chess playing programs all have “chess engines”, the part that calculates the moves, and some claim to be more “positional” and others more “tactically” programmed. Set on their strongest level, these programs can play close to GM strength on modern PCs.

Recently a few companies have been packaging multiple chess CD’s in one package. These might include a few chess teaching programs with older versions of the playing program.

The underachieving player may want to spar against a computer playing program, rather than lose face against stronger opponents in a classroom situation. When the coach wants to use the playing programs for maximum benefit he (and his students) will have to learn how to change the settings and choose the desired options from the drop down menus. Parents may be able to afford expensive software, but it is (like good chess books) of no use if not applied to improve the player’s chess skill.

While the coach can introduce a playing program and the correct settings for optimal training for an individual, it must be remembered that the program is just an aid to training. Children soon learn how they can ‘cheat’ the machine like limiting the thinking time or even play second best moves to trap the computer in a slow positional game where it plays weaker. The machine doesn’t mind, but this may also lead to an attitude of disrespect for his opponent or unwillingness to really think hard on a position. Playing human opponents helps a player to deal with side issues such as human behavior and reactions to his own behavior, forces the player to practice good chess etiquette and respect written and unwritten accepted social behavior. One of the coach’s biggest challenges is to get a six year old player to sit still and not talk while making the moves.