one of the greatest chess tools is chessbase used in conjuction with a chess playing engine like fritz. Latest versions are fritz 11 and chessbase 9.0. These however are only 'tools' and dont make you a better player because you buy them. They can be used effectivly but maybe with assistence from a chess coach. its expensive but really the way forward for any ambitious player wanting to compete.
Lots more information on the chessbase.com website, so i recommend you go to the shop there, even if its just to research different available programs. A shop near you may sell the items cheaper. Hope this helps!
(ps. i think fritz 2 and fritz 5.32 are available to download here on chess.com, these are older early versions however AND chessbase light is available to download on chessbase.com.)
My son is playing chess and is getting better every day. Can anyone suggest a good chess program for PC? We have Chessmaster 8000 and Moris Ashley teaches Chess. Any other good ones? I am hard pressed to say what level he is on, but he is a freshman in HS playing 3rd board on the varsity team. Is this any indication? He is learning fast and is getting better. Spends hours learning and playing with computer. Please help me provide him with the tools he needs. Thanks