Chess Software Sourcebook

Rating:
Summary: Must Buy for Chess Lovers
Review: I bought this book a little while ago and was really surprised at how good it was. I already owned some of the programs Dr. Pawlak reviews in the book, but really wasn't using them as well as I could. The book really helped me understand what my programs could do. I have been analyzing some of my games using his approach, and it works.

Rating:
Summary: Could be better
Review: I bought this book because of glowing reviews. I have found this book to be useful and indeed I have bought software based on what I've read. At the same time I have to confess I think the book could be much better. What the author refrains from doing is critical and comparative analysis. To give one example, ChessBase7 and Chess Assistant 5.0 could be critically compared. To give another example, some of the shortcomings of Bookup 1.6.2 could be described. An author such as John Nunn would have combined both technical virtuosity and chess erudition to give a revealing analysis of the strengths and shortcomings of the chess software currently available.

Rating:
Summary: Good Overview
Review: The author of this book gives a good overview of the major chess programs. Not owning any chess software, I was a little confused as with some of his discriptions of the catagories of chess software. I did find that his summaries were otherwise clear and help significantly in choosing programs for myself (novice chess player). None of the descriptions were overly lengthy or technical and the tables were moderately helpful. As of this date, I believe this is your only choice for a comprehensive critical summary of chess software, so if this is what you are looking for, this book will start you in the right direction.