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How to Use Total Chess Training

Until the advent of computer software, chess training meant spending many hours poring over books and positions on the chessboard. Chess software has enabled the beginner to quickly improve without the use of books. Total Chess Training is a complete system for improving playing ability used by a large number of chess players. Its only downside is that it's tricky to use due to limited documentation. However, with a few simple tips, the beginner can use this software package to improve in a short period of time.

Things You'll Need

Computer with Internet access

Instructions

- 1
  Install the software program. Follow the installation instructions. The program must be run as the computer's Administrator or a runtime error message will appear. The program comes with a separate program called the ChessOK Downloader. This is the program that allows additional training modules to be downloaded, so it must be installed as well. The program that is installed is called the Peshka interface. This refers to the GUI (Graphical User Interface) used for Total Chess Training.
- 2
  Read the help documentation that comes with the Total Chess Training program. The documentation can be found in the help section. The most important documentation to read is the User Interface and General Modes sections. These sections will provide the necessary information needed to use the program. Note that this information is limited and does not walk the user through the software step by step.
- 3
  Start the first Module. To find the training modules, open the program and click the tools icon. Within the tools icon is a button labeled "Wizard." Click on the Wizard button and a screen will come up with the loaded training programs.
- 4
  Select a course to start. On the left hand side of the menu is a list of options. Click "Show Course List." This will bring up the training courses available. All courses are found on this screen. Click on the course. Finally, click on the OK button and the course will load on to the Peshka GUI.
- 5
  
  The program provides hints when a wrong move is made.
  
  Start the course. There are no instructions on the screen when the course begins. However, the program uses the same mouse and keyboard controls as most chess programs. If the wrong move is entered, the program will provide directional arrows to denote the correct direction the piece should be moved in. If the wrong move is continually entered, the program will move the piece in question to the correct square. An arrow moves across a set of horizontal boxes, just under the control panel, indicating the completion of each training task. This is how progress in each module is monitored.

Chess & Checkers