Chessmaster

by UBI Soft

Product Features

• This new version of the old PC classic will introduce beginners to the rules of chess, and help experienced players improve their game
• Learn strategy and tactics that develop your skills at the game, with the advanced tutorial and helpful advice feature
• Challenge 26 virtual opponents to see how far your abilities have progressed
• You can also play through famous historical games, or challenge a friend using GameLink
• Great graphics and a player-frinedly interface make this the ideal chess game for players of any age or skill level

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000640A6
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: August 27, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,268 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Chessmaster is a good introduction to the rules of chess, as well as a useful tool for experienced players looking to improve their games. As players continue, they'll learn more advanced strategies and tactics while their skill levels increase. The game also features a tutorial mode to acclimate new chess players to the basics of the game; 150 famous recorded games; six opponents; 10 chess sets; scalable gameplay for chess players of all skill levels; and a two-player mode via the Game Boy Advance link cable.

Product Description

Chessmaster introduces you to a new world of startegy and deep thought, when you engage in the classic game of chess!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The GBA chess game for serious enthusiasts., October 23, 2002

By 

Big Time Gamer (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chessmaster (Video Game)

Chessmaster for the GBA is a better choice for real enthusiasts
than Virtual Kasparov. It was released several months later, and its obvious than Kasparov and its obvious that this game fixed some of the shortcomings.

Some very important features this game includes:
A true save feature instead of Kasparov's antiquated password system.
Ability to undo moves. Helpful for when you want to experiment strategies or simply make a silly mistake.
150 classic matches from real masters. its takes a few seconds to load, but gives a fantastic lesson in strategy as a game actually unfolds.
Ability to choose different pieces. A bunch of them are useless (like dog theme pieces) but several are excellent to play with and give nice options.
Tutorials on moves, strategies and notation. I find the notation tutorial to be especailly helpful for players who want to learn more detailed strategies from books and other sources. Great job including this!

I do agree with some of the other comments ofr this game..the difficulty is a bit high for novice players or children who aren't the next Bobby Fischer, but for enthusiasts who want a chess challenge at thier fingertips this is great. There isalso a comment that selecting pieces takes several clicks to register. I never encountered this problem, the game plays just fine.

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A strong Chess program for the GBA, September 27, 2002

By 

Eric - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chessmaster (Video Game)

I have both Virtual Kasparov (VK) and ChessMaster (CM). I wish I could combine the best features of both.

First off, CM plays at a much higher level. Whereas most of the VK personalities make occasional blunders, very few of those in CM do. This means that you really have to earn your wins against CM. Youngsters and novices (below say 1300 ELO) are likely to get walloped by most of the CM characters.
Also on the plus side: CM reports the moves in standard algebraic notation (VK does not) and allows infinite undo and redo. CM also contains a large library of famous games for review.
On the minus side, as the previous reviewer comments, I find I frequently have to press the arrow keys several times before CM acknowledges my move (and then frequently shoots past the piece I'm trying to pick up). This is quite annoying.
Also, CM does not automatically record the board position (VK does, which is useful when your batteries suddenly run out). CM also expects only a single user (VK records board positions and preferences for up to three different users).
Choose CM if you're a strong chessplayer or are looking for a real challenge. Choose VK for youngsters or novices.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for what it is., May 19, 2005

By 

S. vaneck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Chessmaster (Video Game)

Cons: the menus could be a bit more intuitive, and it does play at a high level for someone who isn't a pretty serious chess player (even the weakest players on the weakest setting).

Pros: challenging to good players and people trying to improve their game. I'm not beating it very often, but I am getting rid of bad playing habits. Once you get used to the menus, there really is a lot to this program: different AI opponents with various playing styles, tutorial stuff, and a few hundred classic games to review along with some chess history, and it saves your game if you need to put it down.

I also like playing chess on my GBA and can get in a couple of games a day just by carrying it in my pocket and taking it out when I'm not doing anything (waiting in line). Also nice to have a chess computer that I know isn't going to break.