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infinice · 04-20-2009, 08:19 PM

"Hi- I'm a shut-in, limited to software, which i find either crude or complex, plus almost always ugly and clumsy.
The best freeware, Bringer plays like a machine :-). It always reacts the same in same positions, because it doesn't learn, is rigid. Also, its queen is so agressive that it's often trappable. (Nice interface tho.)
The best 'payware' [in my too-limited experience] is Chessmaster because it's cheap and certainly not much worse than its pricier peers. But it hogs cpu, which is unacceptable [for environment and productivity]. Fritz resembles a house of cards [shaky old code] and has a nerdy homely interface too; so i'll pass on it.
But all the others i haven't tried are demo'less [doh!] so they'd take mucho dinero to try out. So here i am, begging you for advice: what's the best [excepting Chessmaster and Fritz]?
My needs are:
1] attractive [i.e. uncluttered, simple] interface [or has #5]
2] defeatable time limits [and of course, Undo Move]. a kibbutz mode
3] up to 50% average cpu use [on 2.66 Ghz computer].
4] adapts to opponents style, so it doesn't get boring playing program.
5] true full ["clean"] screen mode. [and all elements color adjustable]
6] playing level *easily* switchable mid-game. [i love to go back to see what a stronger opponent would play in a given situation]
7] realistic play [makes different openings, exhibits range of responses]
8] state-of-the-art Coach/Hint function. [I guess this isn't vital as one can always switch sides & force program to play ones move.]
9] under $75 price, state of the art 3D boards and a great tutoring section would all be sweet, but i could live without them.
Can you recommend any program[s] filling the above bill? And, if you don't know, can you steer me to another forum i could try??
Thanks for your help!
infinice
PS: I'm a dull average player [1500 > 1750 ELO?], so bone-crushing +2000 ELO power is irrelevant to me.

04-20-2009, 08:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
infinice Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	software recommendations? "Hi- I'm a shut-in, limited to software, which i find either crude or complex, plus almost always ugly and clumsy. The best freeware, Bringer plays like a machine :-). It always reacts the same in same positions, because it doesn't learn, is rigid. Also, its queen is so agressive that it's often trappable. (Nice interface tho.) The best 'payware' [in my too-limited experience] is Chessmaster because it's cheap and certainly not much worse than its pricier peers. But it hogs cpu, which is unacceptable [for environment and productivity]. Fritz resembles a house of cards [shaky old code] and has a nerdy homely interface too; so i'll pass on it. But all the others i haven't tried are demo'less [doh!] so they'd take mucho dinero to try out. So here i am, begging you for advice: what's the best [excepting Chessmaster and Fritz]? My needs are: 1] attractive [i.e. uncluttered, simple] interface [or has #5] 2] defeatable time limits [and of course, Undo Move]. a kibbutz mode 3] up to 50% average cpu use [on 2.66 Ghz computer]. 4] adapts to opponents style, so it doesn't get boring playing program. 5] true full ["clean"] screen mode. [and all elements color adjustable] 6] playing level easily switchable mid-game. [i love to go back to see what a stronger opponent would play in a given situation] 7] realistic play [makes different openings, exhibits range of responses] 8] state-of-the-art Coach/Hint function. [I guess this isn't vital as one can always switch sides & force program to play ones move.] 9] under $75 price, state of the art 3D boards and a great tutoring section would all be sweet, but i could live without them. Can you recommend any program[s] filling the above bill? And, if you don't know, can you steer me to another forum i could try?? Thanks for your help! infinice PS: I'm a dull average player [1500 > 1750 ELO?], so bone-crushing +2000 ELO power is irrelevant to me.