Chess on the Net
Allows Players To Chat!
http://www.chessmaster.com/us/
By R.R.Vasudevan
Teacher, mentor and ultimate opponent - that is how the website describes itself. Consistency of performance is what players expect, and that is what that has delivered by CHESSMASTER's chess playing programs in its last several editions. Chess software has been ruling the roost the past decade, as more and more tournament players start depending on such programs.
Into their tenth edition, presently CHESSMASTER offers new features hitherto not experienced. Describing itself as the most comprehensive chess software available, it calls upon its old friends to keep up with its updates in both graphics and content. The revised elements include, easy navigation user interface. Add it up with a full featured online chess module, that allows players to communicate, chat with one other.
It also contains the Chessmaster Academy, and here IM Josh Waitzkin introduces players to chess and Grandmaster Larry Christiansen reviews the attacking concepts of the game.
The homepage contains the game info link that includes news archive, game features, what's new with the chessmaster's new in 10th edition, FAQ (frequently asked questions) and system requirements. The explanations are lucid and the browser can navigate without any challenges. It also contains notice that this game contains technology intended to prevent copying that may conflict with some disc and virtual drives.
The FAQ link provides the chess lover simple options as how to go about using the chessmaster's latest version. The questions deal with features, design, multiplayer and customise options among others. The game features link goes into details of it's revised interface, online chess module and announces that it provides more fun for the whole family. The comprehensive chess engine has adequate ware to tackle with rank beginner to an advanced player to an strong Grandmaster. It calls for to experience the all-new edition of the King engine.
For fun loving chess kids the site has the Gallery section, which carries links to the screenshots, videos and puzzle of the week. The answers to the puzzle are provided in the roll over of the link below the puzzle and it alos carries a link to the puzzle archives. The puzzles from the past are more than 50 in number and dates back to more than three years.
The downloads section contains Demos, wallpapers that contains interesting pictures and chess sets, extras. Downloads for the links in the section are provided and the DEMO v1.02offers 8 hours of free play.
The support link provides for details, as to how handle, interface bugs, online bugs, database bugs and game bugs. An external link is provided for the troubleshooting FAQs, where the questions range from all and the sundry about chess. Some samples include - what does an ELO mean ? How to update drivers ? How do I run the game without music ? - which are quite elaborate and of explanationary nature.
The links to the community includes Forum, Links and Rankings. The forum contains varied chess topics of interest, from controversy to humour and the rankings link categories the players under bullet, blitz and standard chess.
The Buy now link take the viewer to the e-store where online purchase of the products available can be made. A very useful site, that can become a handsome tool for the upcoming player.