What is the best software for a beginner plus?

[stwils]

I am a solid beginner I think. Not high ratings, but moving hopefully toward early intermediate. What are the best softwares to get for all phases of the game: openings, tactics, strategy, endings, - all of it?

I have Chessmaster 9000. What would you get for openings? I do not have a book on all the openings, and because I am entering a tournament soon (online) I need help there. I am worried that I might make a terrible opening blunder trying to play Ruy Lopez, or as black, Sicilian. I am not sure of either one.

Thanks.
S.

[Nimzovik]

It seems to me if u are as much as a beginner as u describe the the opening books in CM9000 is a good start for basic ideas. U could always go to chessbase .com and order away all u want for opening cds. Or u could go to Convetka (keyword search) and get the Aquarium / rybka 3 bundle and download it immediately and learn from the database.

[Ovyron]

Aquarium is for advanced fluid UI users, or users that are willing to spend time learning the GUI instead of chess. I'd suggest the Rybka+FritzUI bundle and the free opening book from Harry Schnapp: HS-Masterbook.ctg at http://americanfoot.free.fr/echecs/hsbook.htm

[swami]

I am a solid beginner I think. Not high ratings, but moving hopefully toward early intermediate. What are the best softwares to get for all phases of the game: openings, tactics, strategy, endings, - all of it?

I have Chessmaster 9000. What would you get for openings? I do not have a book on all the openings, and because I am entering a tournament soon (online) I need help there. I am worried that I might make a terrible opening blunder trying to play Ruy Lopez, or as black, Sicilian. I am not sure of either one.

Thanks.
S.

For Tactics: Get a decent tactical chess book such as Fred Reinfeld 1001 Chess combinations .

Strategy: I think you can get the Jeremy Silman's Chess book How to reassess your chess and Seirawan's Winning Chess Strategies
Also, Going through commented games would help.

Endings: Rueben Fine's endgame book, I forgot the title.

Openings: You can learn it from a chess softwares like ChessMaster, Chessbase or you could get a small pocket opening book. For beginners, opening is not really important compared to tactics and strategy.

Importantly, Play as more games as possible and correct your mistakes and while learning tactics everyday . That way, You can quickly make progress.

[geots]

I am a solid beginner I think. Not high ratings, but moving hopefully toward early intermediate. What are the best softwares to get for all phases of the game: openings, tactics, strategy, endings, - all of it?

I have Chessmaster 9000. What would you get for openings? I do not have a book on all the openings, and because I am entering a tournament soon (online) I need help there. I am worried that I might make a terrible opening blunder trying to play Ruy Lopez, or as black, Sicilian. I am not sure of either one.

Thanks.
S.

If i were you, for openings i would get the lastest MCO book (Modern Chess Openings) I have the 12th Edition by Walter Korn and the 14th Edition by Nick de Firmian. It has been called by many the Chess 'Bible'- tho there are other good opening books out there. And the tutorials in CM9000 are exactly what you need for your all- around game. Hope this was of some help to you.

Best,

[Geolm]

For tactics, I found this site very helpful :

http://chess.emrald.net/
http://chesstempo.com/

You can improvise your tactic vision everyday and it's free and fun.

Cheers,
Guillaume

[stwils]

Thanks to all of you for your help.

I just downloaded Chess Tempo and the one on emrald.net. I believe I will get a good workout on tactics with those. Thanks.

Also, I am ordering Winning Chess Strategies.

Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

S.

[michiguel]

I am a solid beginner I think. Not high ratings, but moving hopefully toward early intermediate. What are the best softwares to get for all phases of the game: openings, tactics, strategy, endings, - all of it?

I have Chessmaster 9000. What would you get for openings? I do not have a book on all the openings, and because I am entering a tournament soon (online) I need help there. I am worried that I might make a terrible opening blunder trying to play Ruy Lopez, or as black, Sicilian. I am not sure of either one.

Thanks.
S.

For Tactics: Get a decent tactical chess book such as Fred Reinfeld 1001 Chess combinations .

Strategy: I think you can get the Jeremy Silman's Chess book How to reassess your chess and Seirawan's Winning Chess Strategies
Also, Going through commented games would help.

Endings: Rueben Fine's endgame book, I forgot the title.

"Basic chess endgames"
This is the bible of chess endgames but it migth be way too much for a beginner.

I suggest this outstanding book (for both, beginners and beyond):
http://www.jeremysilman.com/book_review ... dings.html
very easy read.

Miguel

Openings: You can learn it from a chess softwares like ChessMaster, Chessbase or you could get a small pocket opening book. For beginners, opening is not really important compared to tactics and strategy.

Importantly, Play as more games as possible and correct your mistakes and while learning tactics everyday . That way, You can quickly make progress.

[swami]

For tactics, I found this site very helpful :

http://chess.emrald.net/
http://chesstempo.com/

You can improvise your tactic vision everyday and it's free and fun.

Cheers,
Guillaume

Thanks, these are the cool tactics website.

[swami]

"Basic chess endgames"

Ofcourse, I had that book, but I lost it somewhere.