Hi all,

I'm ashamed to say that I absolutely don't understand chess - so I can't
teach my seven-yr-old who is desperate to learn.

Can anyone recommend a chess programme for Playstation 2 which could both
teach him, and act as his opponent?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Driel

On Thu, 20 May 2004 22:15:29 +0100, "Driel" wrote:

Can anyone recommend a chess programme for Playstation 2 which could both
teach him, and act as his opponent?

It's second time I've mentioned it the past few days, but I think
Chessmaster is definitely the way to go. In fact, I'm not entirely sure
that there is anything else available for the PS2 on the chess front,
but that doesn't detract from the fact that chessmaster's interactive
tutorials seem to be widely touted by people who know far more about the
subject than me as being a very, very good way of learning to play
chess.

Maybe you could run through the tutorials yourself and learn to play
chess with your son. After all, there's probably a reason that it has
been one of the most popular two-player games for several centuries, so
maybe you're missing out!

I have nothing to do with Chessmaster other than being a satisfied user
of the Windows version of it, by the way. I've only been playing
"seriously" for a few weeks, but a combination of chessmaster, lots of
practice, and a couple of good chess books has seen me progress faster
than I could have hoped.

Kind regards,
Chris.
--
Chris Cowley

On Sat, 22 May 2004 00:11:52 +0100, Chris Cowley
wrote:

In fact, I'm not entirely sure
that there is anything else available for the PS2 on the chess front,
[...]

In the interests of fairness, I've just discovered a game called "Chess
Challenger" for the PS2 which I know absolutely zilch about other than
it seems to claim to have the strongest chess engine of any console
game. This may well be true but I don't think that is a relevant factor
-- if your son reaches the level where he can outplay *any* of the
current state-of-the-art consumer chess software, then I'm sure you'll
have no problem finding someone willing to sponsor him to buy whatever
replacement software he needs!
--
Chris Cowley

Chris,

A comprehensive reply! Thank you. I'll check it out.

Driel


"Chris Cowley" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 22 May 2004 00:11:52 +0100, Chris Cowley
wrote:

In fact, I'm not entirely sure
that there is anything else available for the PS2 on the chess front,
[...]

In the interests of fairness, I've just discovered a game called "Chess
Challenger" for the PS2 which I know absolutely zilch about other than
it seems to claim to have the strongest chess engine of any console
game. This may well be true but I don't think that is a relevant factor
-- if your son reaches the level where he can outplay *any* of the
current state-of-the-art consumer chess software, then I'm sure you'll
have no problem finding someone willing to sponsor him to buy whatever
replacement software he needs!
--
Chris Cowley

"Driel" wrote in message ...
Hi all,

I'm ashamed to say that I absolutely don't understand chess - so I can't
teach my seven-yr-old who is desperate to learn.

Can anyone recommend a chess programme for Playstation 2 which could both
teach him, and act as his opponent?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Driel



If you would consider a PC version, then I would have to recommend ChessMaster 9000. I have this and it has an excellent 2nd CD
included that has the best collection of training tools that I have ever seen. Everything from openings, effective piece play, pawn
structures, tactics. You get instructional examples on the chess board with audio that instructs and you have training drills where
you can practice what you have learned immediately. And to make all that even better the 1st CD has the ChessMaster Program that
you install to your PC. You can choose to play computer opponents from 45 Elo up to GM levels. They play different styles also
which is good. I guess there must be a PS2 version from other posts, but I don't know if it would be as good as a PC version. I
know the PC version is outstanding. There is a wealth of Chess knowledge that can be gained from the ChessMaster training program
and it plays at a level that is easy for lower level players to play against. It can be turned up to Kaparov level if you want, so
it is capable of strong play as well. There are many, many computer oppnents to choose from and you can even create your own with
many settings for playing style and strength.

HTH's, -matt