Rykba

Hi:

I was looking at the Rykba chess engine as a gift for the holidays. I am wondering how useful it is as a learning tool. Or, is it just to play the computer with? If its not useful as a learning tool, I don't have any need for it, honestly.

Mike

My opinion is that you dont really need a chess engine unless you get really good/serious about chess. even then I am not sure if you need it. the only one I have is on my phone. I know players of all levels you dont have one and also players of all levels who love them. Either way buying one for a large sum of money is probably not the best use for you, getting a tournament board/clock and a couple books would help your chess more

There's so much good free stuff out there. Check that out first, and only buy if you really think the commercial stuff will give you something extra..

Thanks guys.

The wife is looking for gift ideas for me and I cant think of any. Maybe Ill have her get me books and a clock like suggested.

when looking at clocks you have a few choices depending on how much you want to spend. You can get a good clock for 40 (excaliber) that will do everything you need it too. You can also get a fancier one for 100 (chronos)

I don't think you can learn anything from Rybka

Some software has some excellent learning methods in the software. For example Fritz is good. Shredder mobile has a tactics trainer. Also there software will adjust to your playing level. I just think rybka was excellent for an additional computer engine but now with houdini its not even that. Its just a dark piece of software to add to the fritz interface.

I think most computer engines are worthless unless you are 2000+.  I guess they can help you learn certain lines or perhaps helping with endgame learning(playing rook and pawn endgames against a computer can really help), but to me most computer anaylsis doesn't seem too helpful.  I often use the computer analysis here on chess.com to see where I messed up on my losses, and although it's good for pointing out blunders and other mistakes, a lot of the suggested lines are not even close to what human players would play.  

I was looking into them, and I realize that they can't help me at all. Besides, when I first started..not that long ago, I played nothing but the computer. I didn't realize how much I disliked it until I started playing people. Thanks for the suggestions.

Mike