Which are the most entertaining programs to date?

[S.Taylor]

I would like to know which are the most entertainig programs at the momment. Entertainment in chess is surely a brain stimulator too, especially as it is combined with chess thinking. Also helps educationally-wise, I think.
Is Fritz 11 the top? or Chess master? If chess master 11 has problems, does that mean that CM10 is the best in some ways? Or is ck 5 better, or 6,7,8, or 9?
IF CM11 can be corrected via internet patches, will it then be the best (entertainment and strength-wise together, out of the CM series)?

Are there other programs which help to engage the brain and emotions and humor just as much or better?

Again, I think this is all important and helpful. And if the playing strength is high, all the better, in combination.

OR, is the entertainment aspect not improved as of late?

[Erik Roggenburg]

I recommend the "Fritz and Chesster" series by Chessbase if you want entertainment combined with chess.

[ozziejoe]

I think the negative reactions to cm11 is from people who have earlier cm versions and expected improvements. I am new to CM and i can say that it blows away any other chess package I've seen, in terms of entertainment. There is not even a contest. I do not know why chessbase and others have not borrowed some of cm's ideas

best
J

[Sylwy]

I think the negative reactions to cm11 is from people who have earlier cm versions and expected improvements. I am new to CM and i can say that it blows away any other chess package I've seen, in terms of entertainment. There is not even a contest. I do not know why chessbase and others have not borrowed some of cm's ideas

best
J

Hi !

ChessBases products are the best in professional area (Fritz GUI & engine,databases,ChessBase Magazine,Fritz trainer series & so on ).
Chessmaster series is good for both entertainment & training for beginners.But Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition (CMXI) has a lot of bugs.
Very annoying !

Regards,
Sylwy

[ozziejoe]

Historically, how good has cm been at fixing bugs and providing patches?

best
J

[Sylwy]

Historically, how good has cm been at fixing bugs and providing patches?

best
J

You find the best response on their own forum:

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/4221052685

Regards,
Sylwy

[mariaclara]

CM10 is still very entertaining....

[S.Taylor]

CM10 is still very entertaining....

Maybe you are attatched to it by now. But I ALSO want to get a few programs which I will remain attatched to, and not need others for a long time.
Which would I get for valuable, brain-stimulating/entertainment value, which can also help the chess experience?
CM10? CM11? or other? Or which 2 would I get? Fritz 11 and CM11? Or CM10 and CM11? Or?
If there are 3 which all have different things which are hard to not want, so which are the three which might include between them the whole spectrum......re.entertainment value (atleast. For full chess program spectrum value, I might feel I need more than 3).

Most people don't follow my way of thinking?

[Ponti]

I think entertaining means not necesserely "the strongest", so:

1) Chess System Tal. Just amazing!

2) Chess Tiger, "gambit style". Great fun. Get Chess Partner interface.

3) Hoyle Majestic Chess, if you want to teach children. Very cheap and great software.

4) Chess Genius. Always a great contender.

5) Got a PDA or Mobile phone? Get Hiarcs or Tiger or Chess Genius and play chess wherever and whenever you want.

Just my 2 cents.

[S.Taylor]

I think entertaining means not necesserely "the strongest", so:

.

Correct, but being stronger can also be a contributing factor, as are features.
Those which you have quoted, are you trying to say that more recent programs are lacking in many nice things about them?
Entertaining can also mean a greater feeling of interactivity, which I guess you may feel in those you mentioned. But I would have hoped that greater advances could have made things more entertaining and interactive and stimulating and educating and even humorus all at the same time.
But perhaps as happens so often, the good old days stay a thing of the past?

I also consider a good spoken commentary which makes chess sense, as entertaining. Entertainment does not necesarily mean empty. How entertaining can something be when it is too restricted in other qualities?