Most engaging/interactive chess experience via computer?

[S.Taylor]

I would be interested in opinions regarding this.
I used to think that a computer program could give more satisfaction the stronger it is, as it would play out positional ideas, and might even not miss out on a positional manuevre, just like it doesn't miss out on tactics, and this would be very very interesting.
But we may still have a long way to go!
Also, if there was an intelligent and interesting chatter, saying very sensible commentary on the moves as they are being played.

Or perhaps there is some other software or lessons or other things? Or features, or ways of showing you your own progress and level, in a very reliable way.

What is the best feeling of interaction available through computer regarding chess as of now?
And what are the best ideas what can be done?

[Mike S.]

The reminds me of the old program "Power Chess" which had natural language audio(!) commentary. After a game the user played, a chess queen would describe what happened, in spoken words, while the game was of course replayed on the board automatically. It was very well done, with opening names, better move alternatives etc. Of course it was a bit schematic, but much better than a comparable feature in Chessmaster which was, or is text-only.

I think this was the best "synthetic" chess audio commentary, so far. Or actually the only one; other similar approaches I know are only on-screen text, and spoken audio is only for announcing the moves.

It had a Wchess engine. The version I had worked in Win 3.11 and 95, but not in 98, unfortunately.

[S.Taylor]

The reminds me of the old program "Power Chess" which had natural language audio(!) commentary. After a game the user played, a chess queen would describe what happened, in spoken words, while the game was of course replayed on the board automatically. It was very well done, with opening names, better move alternatives etc. Of course it was a bit schematic, but much better than a comparable feature in Chessmaster which was, or is text-only.

I think this was the best "synthetic" chess audio commentary, so far. Or actually the only one; other similar approaches I know are only on-screen text, and spoken audio is only for announcing the moves.

It had a Wchess engine. The version I had worked in Win 3.11 and 95, but not in 98, unfortunately.

This should be interesting today. It's a shame this hasn't been worked on. And you seem to be saying, the original is not compatable for modern computers.

[james uselton]

Does anyone ever use the "explain all moves" section? I have Shredder 11 and very seldom do I get intelligent, interesting and sensible explanations. If they are going to include this as part of the program, why not make it sensible and intelligent.
Regards,James

[Nimzovik]

SWEET ROSIE O"GRADY!!!! I have been the voice in the wilderness on this issue for a long time!! Yes Power Chess was a lot of FUN!!!!!!! The explain all moves feature of most programs is ---d-u-l-l. Come ON! Give us a VISUAL oppnonent that speaks! That is lively-Not the TURK or that other idiot roboot! The vocabulary could relatively easily keyed to the eval functions..,with a variety of verbal offerings. Play a GM or a mastr from the past with own book. Or some chess park hustler from N.Y. etc.

[Mike S.]

And you seem to be saying, the original is not compatable for modern computers.

I think so, but I never tried it in XP or Vista. Maybe a compatibility mode works, but I doubt it. Google finds problem reports referring to GDI.dll.

Also, there was a follow-up version "Power Chess 98" which seems not to run in Windows 98, unfortunately:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187320/en-us

[Kempelen]

Well, I have been using comments gerented by programs like Fritz or Shreeder, even without verbal explanation. I think they are very "dangerous". Now I have an IM with give me classes, and going over my computer commented games I see how confusing they are. If you trust these comments, they are usually very "mechanized", difficult to understand by people. The only correct way is personal analysis and hard work.
Of course, all these featured are always wellcame as they are very funny and interesting.

[S.Taylor]

Well, I have been using comments gerented by programs like Fritz or Shreeder, even without verbal explanation. I think they are very "dangerous". Now I have an IM with give me classes, and going over my computer commented games I see how confusing they are. If you trust these comments, they are usually very "mechanized", difficult to understand by people. The only correct way is personal analysis and hard work.
Of course, all these featured are always wellcame as they are very funny and interesting.

But doesn't it help, to give you something to think about which you might not have thought of? And when you discard it, are you left with a thought that he was right and you were wrong, and damaged by it? Perhaps on the contrary, it is a stimulation to think. (Or maybe I'm wrong, or maybe it depends on ones personality)

[Kempelen]

But doesn't it help, to give you something to think about which you might not have thought of? And when you discard it, are you left with a thought that he was right and you were wrong, and damaged by it? Perhaps on the contrary, it is a stimulation to think. (Or maybe I'm wrong, or maybe it depends on ones personality)

What I claim is not if computer analysis is valuable or not.... it always is valuable. But what I say is 95% of people always "trust" what computer says without further analysis. As a rule, a coment by a computer in typical middle game position would need between 1/4 and 1/2 hours to probe it is true. Also take into account that computer only give main variation, and to learn, you need analyse main and subvariations.

[rightrook]

Yes, POWER CHESS was by far the best....

Besides the Queen had such a nice voice to listen to..I did not mind being "corrected by a lady"...

The King often played such "weak moves"...and the Lady Queen even knew how to correct him...of all things...!

Female superiorty, of course...


"It's a woman's world" out there, you know...
Robert