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Chess Software Tutorial

There are many features found in the different types of chess software available. From playing a simple game of chess to the more complex features found in chess programs, it's useful to know some of these differences in order to understand the diversity present in chess software.

Playing a Game
- The most common function of chess software is to play a game of chess with the user (or another computer). Select the appropriate "play a game" feature from your chess program to start a game. Depending on the level of chess program, you can have several options available: various time controls, levels of chess play on a quantitative or qualitative scale, "personality" of play and other options such as training features are available on many types of chess software.
Analyzing a Game
- Besides the most basic chess programs, most contain an analysis feature. This is a great way to analyze games played at tournaments, on the Internet and games played against the computer as well, among others. Some chess programs have the ability to analyze games with large opening books (collections of master games, often containing millions of games) and other advanced features, such as analyzing a game with more than one chess engine (the engine that actually analyzes/calculates how a computer values a move). These types of functions are contained in a chess program such as Fritz, the most respected chess program for serious players (not to be confused with chess database software, with programs such as ChessBase).
Other Features
- Many chess programs geared towards serious players contain features designed to improve the user's ability. Though these programs are not free (anywhere from $30 to $50 and upwards for very advanced programs), they are a great way to help the advancing chess player alongside or in place of live instruction or chess books. The program ChessMaster, for instance, contains a high amount of interactive lessons with live speech, complimented by a chess board which helps the user visualize the content of the lesson. Other programs utilize a number of lessons, training exercises and "coach" functions within a game or elsewhere in the program.
Differences
- All chess programs are different. Most free chess programs allow little beyond playing a game against a computer on a limited number of levels. Better chess programs come at a price for the level of strength, help and functions needed for one who is serious about chess or who enjoys playing and learning about the game.

Chess & Checkers