"bluecub22" wrote in message
...

I personally like Fritz 9. It has good features in so many different
respects. Visual, beginners, internet play, analysis, database, etc. I
think Fritz 9 is a good starter program. yes, Chessmaster is well
known, but for any serious chess player Fritz is more robust. I own at
least 15 different playing programs including Chess Tiger, Fritz,
Hiarcs, Junior, etc.

Stuart


--
bluecub22

I like Fritz also, it is great for analysis and playing against a GM
level. I am still using 7, thinking about upgrading to 9. I think
ChessMaster is good for adjustable strength gameplay (good when you want
to be able to win sometimes) and it has a nice training cdrom. I think
that both programs complement each other.

I too have way more chess programs than I have time to play: Shredder,
Hiarcs, Junior, CM3/6/7/8/9, Rebel, Deep-Sjeng, Gandalf,
Tiger/TigerGambit, Arena/Ruffian/Crafty, and about 60 engines in
Shredder, collectables: Kasparov's Gambit, PowerChess98, Sargon4,
RebelCentury4, GNU-chess4, PerfectChessmate, KasparovChessmate; CB9,
CA6. Still, variety is fun.

The one thing about most of the top level programs is that they don't
adjust to lower strength game play by much - so you have to be very
strong to win - but CM is the exception because you can dial in any
strength level and playing style. My thoughts for: actual gameplay with
varied strengths/styles: CM, Analysis: Fritz, Training: CM Training
cdrom (included with CM). Both CM and Fritz together offer much. -matt