Fritz

Originally posted by murrow
fritz is best for analysing games.
if you just want a program to play against, though, chessmaster is just as good.
apparently the engine is not as strong, but at our level that really isn't an issue.
the advantage of chessmaster (if you get the latest edition, the 10th) is that it comes with some GREAT chess lectures.
well worth the money for these alone IMO.

I have Chessmaster X, which I bought when the price came down to $20. More than that would be more than it is worth. It is a fun program, but far inferior in all respects to Fritz, except that it is more friendly for computer illiterates, children, and rank beginners at chess. Chessmaster's online play is a joke, and its analysis features are poor. As a database program, Chessmaster is ten years behind the industry standard. Nevertheless, its personalities are fun sparring partners.

Chessmaster is designed and marketed by gamers; Fritz is designed and marketed by chess professionals. They are not in the same league.

When I bought Chessmaster 2100 for DOS in 1989, it was state of the art chess software. When I bought Chessmaster 7000 in the late 1990s, I was a loyal customer that was unaware of my own needs. When I bought Chessmaster X, I had money to burn or I would have left it on the shelf at Best Buy.

Originally posted by Wulebgr
I have Chessmaster X. It is a fun program, but far inferior in all respects to Fritz...

i don't agree
it is far superior to fritz in terms of the teaching lectures that come with it.

the new fritz was advertised as coming with amazing new teaching lectures... but they're complete crap.

chessmaster academy on the other hand is excellent ... for someone at my level anyway ... and easily worth the purchase price

edit: why is this all bold?!
edit2: ah i found the culprit.