Chess Software

Chess Software

This section is about 'soft' media - computer software and training material and DVD / video.

Most people have heard of Fritz - a very strong piece of chess software. We recommend Hiarcs simply because the author Mark Uniacke is a member of Little Heath Chess Club. You will see no difference to Fritz as the look and feel is exactly the same. Pocket editions are also available.

I don't play against Hiarcs but instead use it to analyse my games. When used in conjunction with an opening encyclopaedia it can help to pinpoint different continuations.

In the old days, we used to read chess books and move the pieces around on a board and re-set them frequently. Nowadays a lot of the work in done for us on the computer. The warning here is beware using these material passively. I could point to a number of DVDs that I own that send me to sleep in minutes - not because the material isn't interesting and relevant but because the presentation is boring.

When watching a video be active. Move the pieces on your board. Pause and try to understand exactly what is being communicated.

Daniel King has produced some really entertaining videos in the 'Better Chess Now' series. Susan Polgar presents several DVDs in the Winning Chess The Easy Way series. Many years ago there was a TV programme called 'Duels of the Mind'. These covered twelve great games of chess with commentary and historical background. These are available now in a DVD set.

ChessBase produce some excellent training resources in addition to Hiarcs (and Fritz). The recent fritztrainer series uses video with moves demonstrated on the board. Again, Daniel King has produced some good material (even though he has less hair than in his earlier videos). The Power Play series covers several topics.

A recent popular presenter and active player with a sense of humour is Jakob Aagaard. He has produced two titles in the Middlegame series - Attacking Chess volumes 1 and 2 together with 'Basic Positional Ideas'.

Other good training material from ChessBase includes Andrew Martin's 'The ABC of Winning Chess' and 'The ABC of Chess Openings'. Finally, there is 'My Life for Chess' by Viktor Kortchnoi. Rather slow paced and a bit rambling by fascinating nontheless.