play on deep shredder on easy

Thanks for the advice stain, unfortunately it looks like the HS-Masterbook isn't available for Arena (which I use), but I've downloaded the normal HS Book, and try that.

I'm a beginner, and I've found two programs to be very, very helpful.

 First, the Chessmaster engine is helpful and fun, especially because of its various "personalities" that do a pretty good job of simulating the human factor in chess playing. By "human factor," I mean that CM tries to emulate a variety of playing styles (defensive, aggressive, avoids this-or-that, etc.) just as you would find in a human player.

Secondly, I have Shredder which I prefer to use to explore different lines. Granted, at full speed, Shredder would destroy me; however, you can adjust the difficulty level to a given ELO rating suited to your level.

Well I've only just bought Chessmaster, so I should probably hold off on buying anything else chess-y for a while. I have an income of zilch/zero/nada/nothing

use an engine where you can limit the ply depth - initially to 2-play, then as she improves - to 4 ply - a majority engines have it. [that way it wont make mistakes and then play well - it will be consistently as mediocre as you want it to be.] Crafty is one of the most flexible in this regard --- but turn extensions off [put extensions 0 0 or something in .craftyrc]

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Definitly Rybka/Aquarium!

Accept from beeing the strongest engine an the GUI with the most functions these two programms can be customized perfectly for players of all strenghts. A handycap for the engine can be done in two different ways, either by material or by skill.

When You select hadycap by material, there are 39 different starting positions tho choose from. They are divided into eight levels from "very easy" to "top grandmaster"

When You choose to handycap by skill there are three options. You can play the very nice Delfin engine and select the ELO from 700 to 1900, or you play the rybka engine on a level from 1200 to 2400 or you can choose the multivaroitaion mode where the program plays weaker lines.

In addition you can select handycap opening books so that you oponent has even a very limited opening repertoire.

FOR sure Chessmaster.  I've seen it for 5-10 bucks at almost all software stores.  Here's a product review:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/786899/chessmaster_10th_edition_product_review.html?cat=19