| 
| From: Viva Media
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $19.99
as of 11/21/2009 10:13 CST details
You Save: $10.00 (33%)
New (4) Used (3) from $19.99
Seller: turbodeals
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 310
Format: CD-ROM
Platforms: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 95
Genre: Childrens Board Games Software Games
ESRB: Everyone
Media: Video Game
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Windows 2000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 1.3
MPN: 838639001682
Model: 00168
UPC: 838639001682
EAN: 0838639001682
ASIN: B00068M52W
Release Date: November 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 11-15 of 27
Exceptional educational software that is fun! January 7, 2007
Patrick D. Goonan (Pleasanton, CA)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I'm not going to cover the technical drawbacks of this software except to briefly mention that you should look over other reviews before you buy. However, despite annoying design features, this is quite an amazing piece of software! I would certainly rate it a 5+ if there weren't some design shortcomings and undocumented features ;)
For starters, the educational intent of this software was well thought out. Young people will certainly learn a lot about chess through using this program and they will have tremendous fun doing it! The game teaches fairly advanced concepts in very clever and engaging ways for children of all ages and even adults.
The graphics and characters are great. The explanations of principles are sound and they are reinforced through fun chess exercises. The program encourages young chess players and at the same time challenges them to improve.
The product description above covers the scope of the concepts covered in detail and I found this description to be accurate so I won't repeat it. I spent about 2 hours with a 9 year old playing the game and I had a lot of fun!
I didn't find that this program was especially difficult to use and my young friend was able to figure it out intuitively. He also found it difficult to pull himself away and so did I. This definitely an activity you can enjoy along with your children.
The overall concept for this teaching tool is interesting because it involves three layers of play. There is the overall game of rescuing the king who is trapped in the castle which is used as a tool to motivate the player to learn new chess skills that allow them to progress in this higher order game. Embedded within this larger framework are a number of clever chess teaching games where you can record high scores and learn various skills. These can be selected from within an animated room, which gives the player some freedom of choice. Additionally, there are other fun games that are not necessarily related to chess, but that allow the player to relax their chess concentration and refresh themselves for tackling more difficult chess skills challenges.
I also think it's good that kids could join [...] for a year and play against others as part of the purchase price. This gives them an arena to apply their chess knowledge and is a good community that is always available. There are other online chess communities that are free, but I still think this is a nice added bonus.
I don't think any parent could go wrong purchasing this software for their child. It's good for hundreds or even thousands of hours of entertainment and its powered by an excellent chess engine. However, you can't play a game of chess against the computer with it. It is ONLY a teaching tool. However, you can buy Fritz Grandmaster Software for about [...] which does have this capability at a very low price point compared to other products of comparable playing ability. I've heard criticisms of Fritz 9 and my understanding is the extra cost does not add a lot of value. In fact, at this point there seems to be some bugs with Fritz 9.
If you purchase this product, you won't be disappointed. I wish they had it when I was learning to play chess!
 Fun way to learn basic chess tactics and strategies December 3, 2006
Laura De Giorgio (Canada)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 2, continues where the first CD left off. Like the first CD, this program may take some guessing regarding what exactly is one supposed to do, and clicking on the crown in the upper right corner helps to navigate through the game.
This program is really good for grasping the basic tactics and strategies because your progress is measured and you have to develop certain skill proficiency before moving to higher level and learning more tactics and strategies.
The CD covers some popular opening moves, middle game tactics like pins, forks, skewers and deflection, and mating strategies in end game. With practice on this CD, you can begin to win some games, and then move on to Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 3, which is out in German, and is supposed to be out soon in English.
Excellent product for kids August 9, 2006
A. Kalaimannan (Fairfax, US)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is an excellent product for kids. My kid loves to learn with this software. I had issues installing this product. Other than installation issues, it has been excellent. We are having fun now!
I will recommend this title for kids starting on chess!
Powerful training games July 7, 2006
S. Nay (Providence, RI)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Although this game maybe aimed for kids, it can still offer powerful training games in an entertaining way. Each assorted machines is like an arcade that trains each tactical aspects individually. Such as blind Chess, eye-training, memory training of chess positions are most notable that separates it from the other beginner chess training programs.
The only thing I hate bout this game is the lack of options. You can't log off to a different username without having to shutdown the program first then relog nor can you delete usernames. No BGMs (backgroundmusic)during chess matches.
Other than that, its an awesome tactical training tool. Kids really do love to play this game and is one of the best games out there that can get them into playing Chess. I think Chess can be a beneficial contribution to school learning and thinking process.
Happy Mom January 15, 2006
Happy Mom (PA, USA)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
My children absolutely love this version. They wake at 5 a.m. to play before school. My son says "it's great--I've learned lots of tips, and now I'm a much better chess player."
Why a 4-star and not 5? The down-side--the game doesn't allow the player to "save" at a certain level--totally frustrates the kids when they want to return, they have to start at the beginning again.
Showing reviews 11-15 of 27
|
|
|
