Chessmaster Challenge takes the mystique away from chess – especially when you are just starting to learn. The look of the game is nice and clean, and you can choose from a number of different board and piece styles, some of which have 3-D views. First you make your profile to save your settings (and goofy picture), there are 3 options in the beginning – dive right in and play a game against a computer opponent, solve some fun chess puzzles, or go through the extensive tutorial.
For new chess players, this game is really thorough in its tutorial. There is even a pleasant voiceover to help guide you every step of the way. Even those who think they know how to play will learn something new, unless of course you are a chess fanatic. The first set of lessons will take you through the basics of chess, discussing legal moves for each piece, and some more complex moves like castling and en passant. The second and third set of tutorials require an additional 10 MB download, which is fairly trivial these days, and is automatically installed after downloading. These tutorials really go into strategy in making smart moves against your opponent.
Each lesson has exercises where you can learn by actually moving the pieces, and having the program prompt when you make a mistake or a move that is not as desirable. Don’t worry if you get things wrong – there are plenty of exercises per lesson to cram the concepts into your head.
When you are finally ready to play a game of chess, you choose your color, game time, and opponent. There is a long list of opponents, most with random photos (makes me wonder who all these people are), and a ranking. The higher the ranking, the smarter the AI. There is also a short description of the opponent’s playing style.
The fun puzzles are not just pure fun, but good ways to learn correct moves and strategies. There are a set number of puzzle types, but each puzzle has a random configuration so it’s almost never the same pieces in the same places.
While the game itself is player vs. computer only, the tutorial has a chapter that tells you how to find tournaments, and describes the types of game play during tournaments. But if you would rather stick with the computer, this makes a fine companion on a long plane trip as a game to play on your laptop.
Special thanks to Kirem Weers at Alta PR and PlayFirst for providing the full version of the game.
System Requirements:
- Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP.
- Processor: Pentium III 700 MHz minimum.
- RAM: 128 MB.
- Video Card: 3D Video Card with at least 4 MB Video RAM.
- Minimum Screen Resolution: 800×600.
- Sound Card: optional but recommended.
- DirectX Version: DirectX 7.0.
- Hard Drive Space: 40 MB.
- Internet connection required for downloading supplemental audio content.