Customer Reviews

MAJESTIC CHESS

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I have taught children to play chess for about 12 years now and used several different programs in the past to give them a fun way to practice and learn the skills. My favorite program in the past was Chessmates, but it isn't compatible with my new xp machines so I started looking again. I tried Fritz and Chester and it was ok but a bit clumsy in the interface. Then on a whim I picked this up, and I love it! It will still give you the basics for learning chess, though it isn't geared to younger children as well as Chessmates. But my 7 year old son and I are having a lot of fun with the adventures on this game. It's a great way to build your skills and yet it provides some interesting variety too. If my boy hadn't already begun chess with me earlier I think I would have him wait a little to start this. (A lot of the instruction is reading with some basic animation). But we both love the graphics and the fun.

This is the greatest chess program! The chess adventure is like nothing else out there. My 5 year old, 7 year old and husband love it! My 5 year old can pass the first 2 levels by himself, and the 7 year old can pass the first 3 levels. They seem pretty satisfied by that. Last summer my husband and father spent our whole week at the beach passing the entire adventure. So it's fun for all ages!

I think the biggest selling point of this game is the "adventure" that makes learning chess fun for kids, and yet still be very good at teaching tricks and rules as well. The story line is very campy, but still amusing. There are a number of challenges throughout the adventure that, for example, hone your skills in checkmating with only a few pieces, or recognize specific patterns on the board. This is a chess game I'd recommend to anyone looking to play chess for fun but wanting to improve your skills at the same time.

Ok to start off with the adventure mode is really fun. for those who are new at chess, it teaches not only the basics, but also some tips and tricks that will help with your game. The story is a bit lame, but who buys a chess program for a good storyline?

The main chess program itself is strong, but not even close to being the strongest. among computer programs it gets trashed even by the free crafty chess engine; though admittedly not much of a concern unless you're rated over 2000.

I found the interface a bit clumsy, and it forces full screen mode even if you just want to play a game of chess. Users of unsupported graphics cards could be in for a headache; anything post year 2000 from nvidia or ati should be clear sailing though.

Overall it's a good program for those who want to get their feet wet in chess, but for experienced players who want to improve their game this would not be my first recommendation. My favorite is Fritz Grandmaster Challenge II; for the same price you get the powerful Fritz 7 engine, and the very useful chessbase game database software, though that program has a severe problem with the Fritz 7 engine where it won't let you change back to it without a very technical workaround. Of course the venerable Chessmaster series will also provide an excellent alternative. Another advantage of both is that you can use literally hundreds of different engines for them; Chessbase supports UCI and chessbase engines while Chessmaster supports Winboard engines.

The adventure mode is a unique way to teach the game of chess to newcomers. But one has to consider for the club player, Majestic Chess does not offer any kind of games database, game analysis and annotations, which both of the alternatives offer (though fritz owns in this regard). That said if you do buy Majestic Chess for the fun adventure mode, scid+winboard+engines or arena+engines are free, and offers all those more advanced features except pre-installed weaker personalities that give you a better chance of winning, which is where Majestic Chess comes in.

The adventure mode in this game teachers even a non-player the basics and in a new and exciting way that will keep people addicted. After finishing a few levels one is well above an amatuer player and the game is really FUN! It's hard to say that about chess unless one is really into it, and playing computers at chess is not great. This also has online playing and the levels get progressively harder. I highly reccomend this for $10 to anyone who wants a challenge that keeps you coming back for more.

This program has the potential to be a great tool for improvement at chess, but I haven't been able to use it because it keeps blinking at me every two seconds or so, which prevents me from reading its advice. When I explained the problem to Support, a member of their team got right back to me, telling me that solving the problem I described was his area of expertise. The screen then asked me how much I'd be willing to pay for the answer. When I didn't reply, it then assigned its own price for solving the problem, which was more than four times what I had paid for the product two weeks before.
Does my experience help you decide whether to buy Majestic Chess? I hope so.

There have been people who have reviewed this for kids. First it is a computer program therefore it will do the same thing over and over and doesn't learn like people do. When you do a move on one level you can move to a higher level to see how somebody rated higher will move.

The true beauty for adults or kids alike is for those who play on-line. When you lose you can setup the board and then switch to Grandmaster mode and see how he/she would move. Then flip sides and see how the Grandmaster would handle how to do it etc.

If anybody can read Ne5 or Qh1 they should be easily able to learn (with some help) how to setup a board and switch sides and switch levels.

No matter which game you buy make sure it has these options and Use Them!!!
After you have learn the basics go online and play against a computer(first) and when you lose come back to this game and learn how a Grandmaster would do it.

I can't say it enough. If you want to learn and I mean Learn how to play chess...do this!

I had an earlier version of this game which worked fine until I scratched the CD.

This copy is a great bother. First, it locked up Windows XP, repeatedly.

Now the first time I start it daily, the Install & promo blip comes up. Have to shut it down and start over.

Should have sent the #$%&@ back, whether or not I got a refund.

The game itself, the tutorials, etc. are most enjoyable.

JB
West Linn, Oregon

I played my first game of chess at the age of 14 while at a summer camp. Never really tried to sharpen my game. Now I am much more mature and must say this game and the idea of adventures along the way make it a very fun experience.

The technology used in the game is a bit dated and a bit stale. What I mean is that the game is conveyed on a CD not DVD and the graphics (while very good in its day) are now in late 2008 a bit dated and as I said a bit stale. This is in comparison to current on line gaming pizzazz graphics and emersion that I have enjoyed in other venues.

The idea of the adventure is great. If current technology and features were used, it could be show stopper great as a chess tutoring tool.

If they every decide to execute modern tech to do this, I would buy this game AGAIN at that time.

Love the game and the idea behind the gradual learning experience ... great concept but now is the time for a tech upgrade otherwise it would earn 5 stars.

Before owning this game I had a nominal interest in chess. After buying it I now want to play chess all the time. I know all the chess terminology, I can read chess notation and I win most people at chess who are average chess players, like my family and friends for example.

I couldn't put this game down for almost a week after I bought it. I'm 29, male, white and I like role playing games. This game definitely appealed to me and is one of the most fun games I've played in recent memory.