As a beginner chess player I was looking at getting ChessMaster to help me improve. I was wondering which was better 10th edition or Grandmaster. When comparing prices I found 10th edition 10$ cheaper, and was leaning more towards that one. Is Grandmaster worth the extra money, or is the 10th version fine. Also, is this a good program for someone fairly new to chess?

i don't know the 10th version, but grandmaster (eleventh) is so full and explains very well the art of chess. it worked for me, I have the basics, I need to play matches and improve my play. I was around 800 and with chessmaster I got to 1200. I registered here a couple of months ago, and im around 1300. Just keep making puzzles and playing games made me improve. I know I can do it better =) As for that, time will be needed.

Yes it is a good programme for beginner, you won't be disappointed.

I own both and I think you'll be very happy with 10th edition.  The Grandmaster edition has everything that 10 does, but then it adds some games to the HUGE database (you'll never review them all anyway) and a section from Josh Waitzkin on the art of learning.  Honestly, this extra section was ok but you'll be fine without it. 

Chessmaster is very user-friendly and the training from Josh and Larry Christiansen are worth the game alone!  Plus, the chess sets look great.  You'll be glad you bought it.

Let me know if you're online; we'll play sometime.

Brian

I have 10th edition and love it.  I agree with what others have already written.  Based on what I've read about 11th edition, I would save the $10 and apply it toward a premium membershp on chess.com.  The best thing about Chessmaster is that it lets you play "opponents" at all different levels, so you can be challenged but not frustrated no matter what your level.

I'm switching over to the Grandmaster edition, but he 10th edition is great. I leaned everything I use in games today with it. I've had pretty much every edition of Chessmaster and it cannot be beat. However, as you get better there are a number of database programs, etc that come in handy. Still, you can't beat the learning aspects of Chessmaster 1oth edition!

Does anyone know how close the chessmaster personality ratings are to accurate? I find that they often give away pieces, and their analysis is rubbish

Mendel314:

I believe the Chessmaster community forum has some discussion on this.  Go to this link and search for "personalities":

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

I started to use chessmaster - Grandmaster edition a couple a months ago. Hasnt had the time to explore it properly yet, but i am very satisfied, and i think you will enjoy chessmaster regardless of what version you choose to get.

Since i am pretty new in the chessmaster series i have a question(maybe a little foolish). You can choose your ranking on your opponent(or choose between many premade opponents with different rankings). My question is. Is the ranking on my opponent like a fide-ranking? so if a am playing against a 1000 or 1600 ranked opponent on chessmaster, it would almost just like playing a human player with a Fide ranking of 1000 or 1600?

Simendo:

I am fairly sure Chessmaster tries to imitate ELO rankings, but I would check their manual and user form (see link above) to verify.

i have found that I can beat higher rated opponents than vlad, but never vlad...he always dominates me and I dont know why. He's supposed to be 1846, and without taking moves back I have never once beaten him.  I just beat tick easily, and he's 1892. What's the deal?