Rating: Summary: Not a program for Tournament Players Review: As a player over 2000 USCF for many years, I value ease of playing conditions. The game is hard enough. (Even Alekhine said that "Chess will be the master of us all.") The graphics are unsympathetic for ease of play. The desert 2D is probably the most viewable. Beware of seeing black pieces on black squares. There is a long, noisy start-up that KIDS will like. And the effects showing blown-up pieces will thrill them. The engine is strong even on the beginner level. If you can find this expensively used-which is likely due to mass-production and overstock-it could interest a young player that does not have a defined interest in chess. If your son or daughter becomes more interested in "The Royal Game", you can upgrade with one of the many very economical members of the Chessmaster series.
Rating: Summary: This game [stinks] Review: This game has it all: amateur graphics that cause eye strain, no detectable difference in skill levels (you will always lose--even in beginner mode-- unless you're a chess master), and a long boring intro that you can't avoid every time the game loads. If you want to waste [money], get eye strain, and get frustrated at always losing then this is the chess program for you!