What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Discussion of anything and everything relating to chess playing software and machines.

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BubbaTough
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by BubbaTough »

michiguel wrote: "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.
That is funny, because my favorite endgame book is the one by Jeremy Silman, not the one you quote which is reviewed by Jeremy Silman :).

-Sam
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michiguel
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by michiguel »

BubbaTough wrote:
michiguel wrote: "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.
That is funny, because my favorite endgame book is the one by Jeremy Silman, not the one you quote which is reviewed by Jeremy Silman :).

-Sam
Silman is a great writer, so I bet that book you are referring too must be good.

When you want to get serious, Dvoretsky's books are the way to go.

Fine's book is too dry, but is an outstanding reference.

Miguel
BubbaTough
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by BubbaTough »

michiguel wrote:
BubbaTough wrote:
michiguel wrote: "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.
That is funny, because my favorite endgame book is the one by Jeremy Silman, not the one you quote which is reviewed by Jeremy Silman :).

-Sam
Silman is a great writer, so I bet that book you are referring too must be good.

When you want to get serious, Dvoretsky's books are the way to go.

Fine's book is too dry, but is an outstanding reference.

Miguel
Completely agree with everything you said. Below is a link to what I consider the best endgame book. It is what I bought my dad, and what I wish existed when I was learning chess (I read Fine instead). Chess programmers are also recommended to use this book to make sure their engine at least knows the basics :).



It is a good warm up for:



which is what I would recommend to good chess players who aspire to become masters.

-Sam
stwils
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by stwils »

Back to software, what do you think of Shredder Classic? I have the demo and played it a little bit. Seems nice. But now the demo has run out and I can't use it anymore. And it costs about 30$

I have Chessmaster 9000 and Chess Mentor Basic edition. Would having Shredder help me?

One thing I liked about the demo is that you could set Shredder's strength. so at my level I set it to weak so I wouldn't get shredded! And I like the interface and all the extras that as yet I did not use because of being a beginner.

Please give me your opinion of Shredder Classic. Do any of you use it and like it? What would be a better choice for me? I've heard of Rubya and Acquarium but know nothing about them. I don't need "powerful engines" and "huge databases." Just a good program that will be move from beginner to intermediate.

Your thoughts?

S.
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Ovyron
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by Ovyron »

I use Shredder Classic as my main GUI and I'm very happy about it, it's very simple and easy to use and I can realize my analysis for postmortem games and correspondence games very fast and efficiently. I haven't had any problems with it about installing new engines and it's a very solid GUI. I highly recommend it!

Another software that helped me with my opening preparation was Bookup, it's excellent for storing all your pet lines for quick reference and to quickly catch what was the first novelty on your games and plan for what will you play on these new positions in a later game (I don't know if Bookup is still for sale as I heard it was replaced by Chess Opening Wizard or something.)

Aquarium is a really complex GUI and should only be get if you are going to spend time learning how to use it, but for power it wins in the end with its trees and IDEA.

And Fritz GUI it's the only GUI that supports Fritz and old versions of programs like Junior and many people like it better than Shredder Classic.

Please note that buying and using these software doesn't mean your chess skills will magically improve, I've been training with chess engines for years and still could be considered a beginner, if you really want to improve I suggest joining some chess club and searching for a coach.
stwils
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by stwils »

Please don't laugh. But what is GUI?

S.
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Ovyron
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by Ovyron »

Graphical User Interface.

Chess engines from the box come as command prompt programs (a black box pop ups in where you have to enter commands) so they need a GUI (such as Shredder Classic or Aquarium) for easier usage.
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meschle
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by meschle »

I would suggest using arena and playing against some of the lower elo engines available - they are much better opponents than a weakened strong engine.

I have arena setup with 25 (free) engines elo 1000 - 1800 that can even run from a memory stick. I have tested most engines so that they give a bug free game and i have run a tournament so i can see their relative strength.

I can upload it somewhere if your interested (or anybody else)
Regards Mark

Quad Q6600 3.0 Ghz, Vista 64bit, 4gb Ram
swami
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by swami »

meschle wrote:I would suggest using arena and playing against some of the lower elo engines available - they are much better opponents than a weakened strong engine.
Agreed.
swami
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Re: What is the best software for a beginner plus?

Post by swami »

Ovyron wrote:I use Shredder Classic as my main GUI and I'm very happy about it
Shredder has a cool GUI, and it's a very strong engine useful for analysis. She might as well get it if she's interested in that.