Think Like a King Chess Workout Family Package

by ChessCentral

Product Features

• One CD contains a complete chess library for everyone to share - get all six Chess Workouts© with First Lessons in Chess©
• First Lessons© is our basic tutorial for novices, whether young or old. Covering all the basic rules and moves, chess notation, opening strategy, tactics and common endgame scenarios
• Think Like A King® series is the perfect starting point for those new to chess, from grade 3 to adult.
• Dozens of animations, challenges and 165 interactive chess puzzles make learning a snap.
• Chess tutorials are completely engaging and interactive.

Product Details

• ASIN: 1886846774
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.5 x 5.2 inches ; 8 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,685 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

First Lessons in Chess - a perfect way for reading-aged children grade 3 and up (or their parents!) to get started in chess. First Lessons is for players new to chess, whether young or old. Covering all the basic rules and moves, including chess notation, opening strategy, tactics and common endgame scenarios, this introduction to the Think Like A King learning series contains dozens of animations, challenges and 165 interactive chess puzzles that make learning a snap. Tactical Thinking-Master basic tactical concepts with an interactive tutorial designed to help players recognize strategic and tactical opportunities. From Pins to Forks and Skewers, Undermining to Overworking, basic tactical thinking is clearly defined and demonstrated via interactive puzzles. Simple text explanations and minimal reliance on chess notation make this a perfect teaching tool for beginning students. Checkmate Thinking -apply the tactical lessons learned above and add the next level of thinking (pattern recognition and combination attacks) to pursue the ultimate goal of Checkmate. Over 300 interactive checkmate problems that transform beginners into real chess thinkers! Endgame Thinking - Everything may come down to the Endgame, and here's where beginners have the most trouble. A course on the science of the end of the game, endings where clear thinking and careful play are critical. Learn the tactics of Pawn Promotion and the rules that let you create a winning position - or prevent your opponent from gaining one! Opening Thinking - a truly unique learning tool that explores the why and not just the how of opening play. Covering the common openings and variants, with Traps, Zaps and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars All the other reviews on this product are FRAUDULENT!!!!!!, March 20, 2009

By 

Andre L. Wilson (Bettendorf, Iowa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Think Like a King Chess Workout Family Package (CD-ROM)

Hello, a hoax has just been pulled either by AMAZON.COM on us or by CHESS CENTRAL on AMAZON.COM.

First, none of the reviews relate to the actual product "Think Like a King Chess Workout Family Package". All of these reviews are reviews on another chess product- Convetka's "CT ART 3.0".
CT-ART 3.0

I recognize this because I own both pcs of software. Actually, the review by the "GAMESMAN" is an absolute schill. This fellow actually describes the "CT ART 3.0" product using the "Think Like a King" verbage like 'workouts' etc. That's a real shame.

Now I will discuss the product "Think Like a King". It is strictly a scholastic teaching pc of software. It is basically an interactive E-book reader. The graphical interface opens 1 of 7 E-books, the 'workouts'. The graphical interface shows a board and a chess position; the text is on the right describing the subject, such as 'en prise' and the problem on the board. The user follows the directions of the text and often gets to make a move on the board.

This is not a Michael Dela Maza style tactics drill software like CT ART 3.0 is. It is a beginners introducutory course on chess which focuses on tactical elements. There are series of 10-20 chess problems for the user to answer at the end of each chapter (or lesson) in the books. It's a fine pc of software for a child. Please go to [...] to find out about the product.

I don't want to tear the product down, but AMAZON and/or Chess Central is engaing in false advertising here. It's a shame because myself and many others use these reviews as a guide for purchasing products.

AMAZON.COM please fix this!!!! Chess Central has made a mistake (or a deceptive calculation) AMAZON Pull the previous reviews from this product now.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic training tool and a true bargain!, December 14, 2004

By 

Igor Khmelnitsky (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Think Like a King Chess Workout Family Package (CD-ROM)

This is an excellent training tool for players of over 1300 USCF. Additionally, it offers exceptional value for your money providing 100s of hour of valuable training for a very modest price.

General comment on Tactical Training:
Mastering the Tactical training consists of fast and accurate recognition of standard tactical ideas (motifs) and ability to calculate. Your training should be split in two parts - learning the motifs and then improving you ability to calculate. In the early positions you will have to go through simple 1-2 moves tactics involving double attack, deflection, attraction, and other basic tactical motifs. As you progress - you will have to deal with multiple tactical ideas, longer variations and more resourceful defense.
The rating you get is more generous than it should have been, but nevertheless a good indicator of your progress.

This tool is ideal for practicing! I use this software regularly so do most of my students. In my new book "Chess Exam and Training Guide: Rate Yourself and Learn How to Improve", I provide more information on how to use this tool as well as how to identify other suitable products for your training.

Good luck!
Copyrighted by me!

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this now!, December 31, 2005

By 

Martin Gill - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Think Like a King Chess Workout Family Package (CD-ROM)

If you want to improve your chess playing, buy this program. In short, it will make you a better player.

Under a master standard level (2000 ELO) tactics is the name of the game, and this teaches them. There are over 1200 examples which are beautifully laid out, and there are friendly hints to guide you in the right direction should you not initially find the right solution.

In my opinion, this is one of the best purchases you can make if you want to improve your chess. Although after reading Michael De La Mazza's Rapid Chess Improvement I was already a convert.