Chess Advantage 3

Rating:
Summary: Great value and variety
Review: Even though not all the programs would load properly, the cheap price and variety on offer make this exceptional value.

1. Chessmaster 7000 is obviously the main attraction as it has a very popwerful engine, great graphics, and suitable for all age groups, elo levels, and has good teaching tools.

2 Combatchess is great entertainment. The fantasy movie and sound graphics keep my kids coming back for more. They now ask to play a game of "combatchess" with the real pieces. (The engine is not nearly as powerful as chessmaster but is fine for kids and players up to intermediate level.)

3. Ultimate Checkers is useful as a bare bones dos style 2D checkers program. I wouldn't pay good money for a checkers program on its own even though it would have more bells and whistles. But since it is thrown in for free it is not bad as an opponent when you want a game of checkers but don't have another player.

On the other hand Ultimate Chess is crap. It is an old program with very basic dos like 2D graphics and a weak engine. I'm no grandmaster but I can easily beat this toad even when set to highest level. It also has no fancy graphics, no teaching mode and nothing for children. It has nothing and is worth nothing.

4. LegoChess is good entertainment for kids. (but not as exciting as Combatchess). The pirate themes etc will keep kids interested and the movie and sound graphics are cool. The teaching tutorials for kids are also far better than those in Combatchess. This is the best teaching tool for young children in the package.

5. Cyberchess is a real dog. First it wouldn't load on a very old PC (7 years win 95). Then it froze on a less old win 98 PIII computer. From what I could see it looked like a pretty poor 3d graphic program with just a board and no other information. Apparently it is a rip off of combatchess using a sci-fi fantasy theme but is not considered nearly as good.

In sum getting chessmaster, combatchess, legochess, and a basic checkers program for such a low price is excellent value. Even if you throw out cyber chess and forget about ulticrap chess.

This is also by far the best and latest of the 3 chess advantage multi packs. You will probably need to buy it as a remainder as it is no longer in the shops but it is well worth the trouble. You won't get any better variety for such a low price.

Rating:
Summary: Chess Advantage 3=Chessmaster 7000
Review: I seen this in a store and bought it without checking out the reviews. I dont like Lego Chess, Combat Chess, Ultimate Chess, or Cyber Chess. They are just filler. But Chessmaster 7000 is very good. It has alot of good training drills and many different strength players to play against. So I feel it was a good buy. But I was unaware at the time that there were newer Chessmaster's out. So this is alitte high considering that Chessmaster 7000 is the only good game. I would recommend buying just Chessmaster 7000 by itself or a newer version if you can get it cheaper than this bundle.

Rating:
Summary: A good set of games but needs a few updates.
Review: If chess is considered the game of kings, then Chess Advantage III would model. Encore Software has put together 5 different and unique versions of chess that will give everyone a challenge and create fun at the same time.

Each version installed without any real problems. The is no install setup that list all so you have some work in order to get the different games to load. Get past that and you can begin playing in no time flat.

There is a game for all skill levels and I found ChessMaster 7000 to be a real challenge. I enjoyed the Combat chess and the graphics associated with each version, although the Lego Chess could use some work.

Speaking of Lego Chess, here's a game that has you enter the child's age and it seems to tailor the skill level to that setting. It also has great animation which should entertain the child while playing.

I did find the instruction guide a little in the light side, but a PDF help file was included with the CDs. Overall this would make a great gift for any occasion. A few minor changes and updates and this is package has great potential.